Chapter 2

Anita paused, her eyes locking with Camille's. "You weren't like this when we struck our deal. What's wrong? Are you regretting it now?"

Camille couldn't deny it. She lowered her eyes, bottling the tears that threatened to spill.

"I've let you down."

Anita closed her eyes and sighed. "Fine. If it's a divorce you want, then have it. I gave you the chance, but you couldn't win Julian's heart. That means the Hatchers owe you nothing now."

A weight pressed down on Camille's chest, and she forced a ragged laugh. "Thank you."

…

When Camille returned to Aetheria Heights, she ran straight into Kimberly, Xavier, and Julian outside the building. Kimberly and Xavier had come along in Julian's car.

Camille stood rooted.

Kimberly's eyes widened. "Dr. Stowell? You live here, too?"

Camille's gaze went straight to Julian, but he didn't give the slightest hint of recognition. The calmer he seemed, the more her heart splintered.

Aetheria Heights was an upscale apartment complex in the heart of Solvane, one of the many properties owned by Hatcher Group.

The apartment Camille now lived in had been Julian's promised compensation. She'd agreed to it largely because it was close to the hospital.

But she'd never imagined he'd arrange for Kimberly and Xavier to live here as well. It was obvious he couldn't wait any longer.

"What a coincidence," Camille murmured.

She swallowed the surge of emotions threatening to betray her and began to leave, but Kimberly's voice stopped her.

"Dr. Stowell, I heard you're married. How come I've never met your husband?"

Camille froze.

Husband?

Her gaze landed on Julian.

A flicker of darkness crossed his gaze.

Camille scoffed quietly to herself. Was he really so afraid that Kimberly would find out about them?

"I don't have a husband," she said lightly.

For an instant, Julian's calm, controlled gaze wavered, revealing something impossible to read.

"Wait, aren't you married?" Kimberly asked, her smile unwavering.

Married?

The hospital records did show Camille as married, but no one had ever seen her husband.

She forced a wry, bitter smile. "I only put that down for fun. I don't have a husband."

Seriously?

Julian's eyes narrowed, sharp with something almost dangerous.

Since her transfer was imminent and she'd decided to leave, Camille no longer felt any need to tell anyone about her secret marriage to Julian.

Ignoring the trio behind her, she stepped into the apartment building without so much as a backward glance.

…

Night settled in as Camille gathered her belongings, fitting them into two sizable suitcases before tucking them into the walk-in closet.

Her eyes lingered on the photo of her and Julian from their wedding. She beamed in her wedding gown, arm linked with his, radiating happiness, but his face was unmistakably cold.

She'd once believed he just didn't enjoy smiling.

Though it was the only photo of them together, she'd cherished it like a prized keepsake. But now, all she felt was bitter irony looking at it.

He hadn't been averse to smiling. She simply hadn't deserved it.

Camille lifted the photo, studied it one final time, then dropped it into a cardboard box, sealing it in the walk-in closet alongside everything else she was abandoning.

Stepping out of the bedroom, she caught the faint noise from the living room and immediately recognized Julian's return.

Entering the living room, she saw him hang his coat on the rack by the door before changing into slippers. She drew a deep breath and approached him.

"Aren't you going to explain what happened today?"

She meant his decision to have Kimberly and Xavier move into Aetheria Heights as well.

Julian loosened his tie, coldness flashing in his eyes. "Explain what? Aetheria Heights is near the hospital. You can live here, so why not them?"

He slung his tie over his elbow and looked at her. "You already have what you wanted, Camille. Don't get so hung up on every little thing."

His words landed like a blow, and she felt completely flattened.

Hung up on every little thing?

Maybe he was right. In his eyes, she'd already earned the role of "Mrs. Hatcher", yet she still felt compelled to spar with Kimberly and Xavier. It must've looked like petty quibbling to him.

Julian started toward the bedroom, but Camille's voice stopped him. "We should talk."

He paused, then turned to her with a flicker of impatience, his gaze carrying its usual icy detachment.

"What now?"

"Let's get a divorce." Camille eased the ring from her finger, clutching it in her palm. "I'm setting you free."