005

CAMILLA'S POV.

“Ma'am?” My assistant cleared her throat, nudging me with her elbow, and I jolted back to reality. 

My eyes moved from her to the man that was still standing in front of me.. the man I had hoped was just a figment of my imagination. But he wasn't, he was standing right in front of me. 

How could this be? How could the father of my children be my ex's stepbrother? How and why on earth did I run into him? My head ached from my own raging thoughts.

A dark, charming smile spread across his lips, recognition flashing in his dreamy brown eyes. When I looked down at his arms, all I could think about was how they held me like I was the last good thing on earth. 

I blinked the thoughts away, fighting back the heat that threatened to rise to my cheeks. I took his hand, shaking him firmly. 

“Hello Mr Montgomery.” I finally said, my heart drumming against my chest. 

“You must be the representative from RM Conglomerate, Miss Camilla Martin.” He repeated, this time around, his voice was laced with intention. 

“Yes… yes I am.” I nodded and invited him to join my table. He sat down without hesitation, acting like he had no idea who I was. 

The room was dark that night, or did I just think it was because I was drunk? Did he recognize me or not? 

“Are you okay?” His voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I managed a smile. 

“I am perfectly fine, Mr Montgomery.” 

“I prefer Noah.” He adjusted his suit, his face stern and his eyes dark.

“Of course… Noah. Why don't we just delve into the reason we're here.” I snapped my fingers and immediately, one of my assistants slid a document over to me. I flipped the pages open and cleared my throat to speak, trying to ignore my racing heart. 

“RM Conglomerate is interested in partnering with you for the upcoming release of your new products.” I started, making sure I didn't pay attention to how intense his gaze was or how it was boring a hole in my skin.

“Why should I partner with you?” He shot me a terrifying glare that forced a lump down my throat. 

Talking to other business owners or clients had never been a problem for me. However, I couldn't stand talking to Noah. It was suffocating, like walls were closing in on me. 

“Well, RM Conglomerate has a lot to offer in terms of advertisement, marketing and sales management. If you go through the document, you will find all the information you need.” I passed him the document, and he opened it without taking his eyes off me. 

I swallowed again, avoiding his gaze like a plague and focusing only on the drink in my glass that sparkled lightly under the crescent lights. 

“I will think about it.” He cleared his throat and I glanced up at him, offering a warm, fake smile. 

“We will be looking forward to your response, sir.” 

“Noah..” he corrected again and my heart missed a beat. Not because he was loud or intimidating, but because his calmness scared me more than anything. I was sure that he remembered me, but then again, it was dark that night..

“I will be right back, Miss Camilla,” he stood, and I followed suit. “Enjoy the gala, but not too much.” He gave me a nod and a smirk before turning around and walking off. 

I released the breath I didn't know I was holding, my palm pressed against my chest as if trying to calm my racing heart. What did he mean by “not too much”?

I tried not to think about it, but I couldn't think about anything else. The father of my triplets was just standing in front of me and I still had no idea whether he recognized me or not. Gosh! I couldn't wait to be done with this gala so that I could leave for Paris. My father will continue to deal with him and I will be out of sight with my kids. 

The gala proceeded peacefully, well, for everyone else. I, on the other hand, kept my eyes on the entrance, hoping that meeting Noah was all the surprise I was going to get for that night. 

However, the universe had other things planned because the very moment I turned my gaze to the entrance again, Bryan was standing there. 

Regal, tall and elegant in his tailored suit, he stole my breath away. Not because I still had feelings for him, but because I was reminded of the pain he caused me, the way he mocked me and made me miserable. 

I left everything for him, but he shattered me and threw the pieces into the wind. 

I tried to turn away, but he caught my gaze before I could, and a deep frown appeared on his aging face. He stormed towards me, anger in every step, and by the time he got to where I was standing, all eyes were already on us. 

“Who let a miserable thing like you in here!? This gala is for the wealthy. It is not a place for scrap pickers like yourself!” He barked, his voice shadowing the soft music. Murmuring travelled through the crowd. 

“You really don't have to make a full of yourself today, Bryan.” A grin played across my lips, despite the fact that my hands were shaking from the attention. He had no idea that he was talking to an heiress, and he was going to regret it.

“Don't speak! Don't say anything, just get out of here before I call security!” He roared, his eyes red and wide with disdain. 

“Call them!” I folded my arms on my chest. “See what happens, and see who gets thrown out first!” I retorted and he looked surprised. I never used to talk to him that way, but that was only because I was too in love with him to see the monster inside him.

“Who the fuck do you think you are!? I'll show you exactly where you belong!” He dragged me by the arm before I could protest and started to lead me out of the hall. My assistants tried to stop him, but he kicked them out of the way and refused to stop. 

“Let go of me, you bastard!” I screamed, hitting his arm and his chest, grunting and panting, but he didn't stop, until someone else interfered. 

“If you don't let go of my woman this instant, I'll cut off your arms and make you eat them!” 

Noah..

Why would he call me his woman!?