MasukCamella couldn't move.Alexander stood in the doorway, watching her.His hair was slightly messy from sleep, and his shirt was half-buttoned.Normally, the sight of him would have made her smile.Not now.His eyes were fixed on the phone in her trembling hand.“What are you hiding from me?”Camella swallowed.“Nothing.”Alexander's expression changed.“Camella.”She looked away.He walked closer.“Don't do that.”“Do what?”“Look away from me when you're afraid.”Her eyes immediately filled with tears.“I don't know what to do.”Alexander stopped in front of her.“Then tell me.”She shook her head.“I don't want to hurt you.”“You can't protect me by keeping me in the dark.”His voice wasn't angry.That made it worse.He sounded hurt.Camella looked down at the phone.“I received another message.”Alexander's eyes moved to it.“Show me.”She hesitated.Then she handed him the phone.He read the message.His expression became serious.He looked at the photograph.His father stood besid
Camella woke before sunrise.For several seconds, she lay quietly, listening to Alexander's breathing beside her.His arm was still wrapped around her waist.She smiled.Then she remembered the message.I know what your mother did before she disappeared.Her smile faded.She slowly reached for her phone.The message was still there.She stared at it.Who was this person?And what did they know about her mother?More importantly, why were they contacting her now?Camella sat up carefully.She didn't want to wake Alexander.But the moment she moved, his arm tightened around her.“Where are you going?”His sleepy voice startled her.“Nowhere.”“You're awake.”“Yes.”“Why?”She looked at him.Because she couldn't tell him.Not yet.“I couldn't sleep.”Alexander opened his eyes.“Are you worried?”“No.”He studied her face.“You're lying.”Camella smiled weakly.“You're too observant.”“I know you.”He reached up and touched her cheek.“What's wrong?”She hesitated.Then she leaned down an
Camella stood outside Adrian's apartment.Her hand rested on the doorbell.She almost turned around.She didn't want to be there.She didn't want to see Adrian.But the message about her mother wouldn't leave her mind.It concerns something about your mother.That was enough to bring her there.She pressed the doorbell.The door opened almost immediately.Adrian stood there.He looked surprised.“Camella.”She stepped inside.“Why did you tell me you knew something about my mother?”Adrian closed the door.“I didn't say I knew something.”“You sent the message.”“I didn't.”She froze.“What?”Adrian pulled out his phone.“I was going to call you, but I didn't send that message.”Camella's heart sank.“Then why am I here?”Adrian stared at her.“I don't know.”She immediately turned toward the door.“I'm leaving.”“Wait.”She stopped.Adrian sighed.“Since you're here, there is something I need to tell you.”She looked at him suspiciously.“What?”He hesitated.“I've been trying to sta
The next morning, Camella woke to the sound of rain tapping against the windows.She opened her eyes and smiled.Alexander was still asleep beside her.His arm was wrapped around her waist, and his face looked completely different when he slept.Peaceful.Young.Almost innocent.Camella carefully tried to move away.His arm tightened.She froze.“Alexander?”He didn't respond.She tried again.Nothing.She smiled.“You're pretending to sleep.”One eye opened.“I am not.”“You are.”“No.”“You just tightened your arm.”“That's because you were leaving.”“I was going to make breakfast.”“Stay.”She laughed.“I'm hungry.”“Order something.”“You promised to learn how to cook.”“I changed my mind.”“You can't.”“Watch me.”Camella shook her head.“You're impossible.”He pulled her closer.“And yet you married me.”She turned to him.“We're not married.”“Details.”She laughed.Then suddenly, Alexander's expression became serious.“Are you feeling okay?”“Yes.”“Any pain?”“No.”“Nausea?”
The next morning began peacefully.Too peacefully.Camella stood in front of the mirror, trying to decide what to wear.She held up a blue dress.Then a pink one.Then the blue dress again.Alexander watched from the bed.“Are you going somewhere?”“Yes.”“With who?”She turned around.“You're asking a lot of questions this morning.”“You're carrying my child. I have the right to be curious.”“Curious?”“Yes.”“You mean nosy.”“I prefer protective.”Camella smiled.“I have lunch with my old friend, Lila.”Alexander nodded.“Where?”She narrowed her eyes.“Why?”“Because I want to know.”“You're becoming worse than my father.”Alexander stood and walked toward her.“Just tell me.”She sighed.“At the Rosewood Café.”“What time?”“Eleven.”“I'll drive you.”“No.”“Why?”“Because I don't need a bodyguard.”“I wasn't offering to be your bodyguard.”“What were you offering?”“A ride.”Camella smiled.“You're busy.”“I can make time.”She walked toward him.“Alexander, I'm meeting my friend
Alexander stood completely still.“Serena?”Herald's voice came through the phone.“Yes, sir. The footage was traced to a device registered under her name.”Alexander's jaw tightened.“Are you certain?”“I'm certain.”Alexander ended the call.Camella immediately noticed the change in his expression.“What happened?”He looked at her.For a moment, he considered saying nothing.But he had promised her.No more secrets.“Herald found out who sent the photograph and video.”Camella's smile faded.“Who?”“Serena.”Her eyes widened.“Serena?”Alexander nodded.Camella slowly sat on the edge of the bed.“But why?”“That's what I'm going to find out.”“Alexander, don't do anything reckless.”He walked toward her.“I won't.”“You always say that before doing something reckless.”He almost smiled.“Stay here.”“I'm coming with you.”“No.”She folded her arms.“You're not ordering me around.”“Camella—”“You promised I wouldn't have to be afraid to tell you the truth.”“I know.”“Then don't sh







