Chapter 32

Camellia's POV

I rubbed nonexistent goosebumps from my arms and rolled my eyes at Eugenia. "Stop, or I'm calling an Uber to escape this cheesiness."

"Fine, I'll shut up."

I forced a smile, but the loneliness in my chest refused to stay buried.

Eugenia had dragged me out to keep me from wallowing at home.

Since discovering Esmond's betrayal, the fractured mate bond had left my emotions raw.

I'd cried alone more times than I'd admit.

But in public? I wore indifference like armor.

Eugenia, bless her, avoided mentioning Esmond entirely.

She wanted me to move on—and so did I.

After lunch, we hit Neiman Marcus.

Under the Italian crystal chandeliers of the men's department, Eugenia's fingers hovered over the mother-of-pearl buttons of a Brioni bespoke suit.

"Let's see this one," she said. Before the sales associate could react, a drawling Southern accent cut through, "Wrap that up. I'll take it."