Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

Camilla.

I stood outside the hospital, staring at the sliding glass doors. I was still trying to figure out what will become of me now, all thanks to my weakness of trusting so easily, I am now in this crossroad with no idea of the right pathway to follow.

I swipe at the tears threatening to cloud my vision. What was the reason for crying? It was all my doing! First, I was stupid enough to trust them so blindly, and then I also went ahead to take a foolish decision of sleeping with a stranger just to get over the worst shock of my life. 

Maybe I could just abort the baby and go ahead with my initial plan of getting back everything they took from me. Alexander grey was definitely not the man to give a fuck about a child from a woman he had a one night stand with. I already knew how everything would go if I confronted him about this child. I would be like a tiny ant beneath his feet, waiting to be crushed by him at any time.

He wouldn’t even look at me, he was every woman’s dream here in havilla. Damn! He was also every man’s dream. How could I ever stand up to that? If only I had thought things through for once, I wouldn’t have slept with the first man that smiled at me in a club.

What if he wasn’t the sweet angel they painted him in the city? What if he got me right where he wanted me that night….in his bed. Now I see why it was so easy for Julia and Benjamin to trick me into signing off my entire inheritance, while having an affair right under my nose. It was simply because I was so dumb!

My heart raced as I thought about what’s waiting for me inside. 

Julia. 

I didn’t even know what pained me the most. The fact that she betrayed me or the fact that I loved her so much then and not loving her anymore hurts like hell. Nobody ever talks about it, the resentment in your heart when you’re finally placed with the burden of unloving someone you’ve loved all your life.

I took a deep breath and finally forced myself to move forward. The sterile smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils as I walked through the hallway. 

A nurse at the front desk directed me to Julia’s room, and with every step I took down the long hallway, my stomach tightened.

I didn’t want to be here.

When I got to her room, I paused. The door was slightly opened, and I could see her lying in bed, looking frail and pale. She was hooked up to machines that beeped softly. At this point, one could think she was an angel, but no! she was the very devil you’ve always heard about. My mom sat by her side, holding her hand like she was some kind of saint, if only she knew the devil she gave birth to.

I pushed the door open, plastered a concerned expression on my face.

“Julia,” I said.

She turned her head, and her eyes met mine. For a moment, I wanted to throw up again, I couldn’t do this anymore, I couldn’t pretend I gave a shit about this monster anymore!

It’s been two whole weeks of pretending!

“Camilla,” she whispered with a weak voice. Back then I could have fallen for it, but now I understood it was probably her punishment from God!

“Are you okay?” I asked, as I stepped closer to her bed.

She nodded slightly, then reached out her hand toward me. I hesitated for a moment before taking it. 

“I’m so glad you came,” she said. Her eyes filled with tears. At this point, I could give this girl an Oscar for acting so good.

I wanted to pull my hand away, because I was so irritated but I didn’t. Instead, I forced a smile and nodded. “Of course I came. You’re my sister.”

The words tasted bitter on my tongue.

She squeezed my hand weakly. 

I almost laughed at her audacity. She looked so calm and innocent while lying in a hospital bed, not knowing I knew everything. Typical Julia—always playing the victim.

“You need to rest.” I said calmly. Wondering when I will be free from all of this.

I got home that evening, and Benjamin was sitting on the couch with his laptop on his lap. He didn’t even bother looking up when I walked in.

“Hey,” he said casually. “I’ve been working on the guest list. Do you think we should invite the Thompsons? They’re kind of annoying, but they’d probably bring a good gift.”

I stared at him, my chest tightened. I need to figure out a way of getting my inheritance back before the wedding, there was no way I could marry this monster. 

“Sure,” I said flatly, and walked past him into the kitchen.

“Also,” he called out after me, “I’ve been looking at venues. There’s this amazing place downtown, but it’s a bit pricey. I think it’s worth it, though. What do you think?”

I gripped the edge of the counter, my knuckles turned white. I couldn’t keep up with this anymore, it was draining the life out of me. 

“Camilla?” he said, finally looking up from his laptop. “Are you even listening?”

I turned around, forced a smile. “Sorry. I’m just tired. Can we talk about it later?”

He frowned but nodded. “Yeah, sure. You okay?”

I nodded, even though I was not.

I ran upstairs, locked the door behind me. My heart pounded as I leaned against the door, trying to calm myself down. 

I buried my face between my legs as I got the urge to cry again. This whole thing can’t be happening. It was definitely a nightmare.

Think Camilla, think!

There was nobody I could talk to about this; I couldn’t possibly tell mom that her sick precious daughter is sleeping with my fiancé and they are both planning to kill me after taking away all my inheritance. Or the fact that I’ve already signed off my major company to them.

Shit! I have to think of something real fast before my life crumbles completely.

My eyes fell on my stomach and instantly, an idea got to my head.

Alexander Grey.

The father of my child.

He’s a multi-billionaire. He has resources, power, connections. If anyone can help me take back control of my life, it would be him.

I grabbed my phone and searched for his name. Articles and photos flooded the screen, and from their content he was a very loyal wealthy man, who treats people with love and respect. There were even pictures of him visiting the orphanage homes and refugee camps.

I bit my lip, there was no way I could be thinking of something like this. What was I even going to say to him? “Hi, remember me? We had a one-night stand, and now I’m pregnant.”

Shit! I had no choice. I needed help, and he was my only option.

I grabbed my purse and stormed out of the house. Maybe this was it, this was my chance to water my roses again and pray they bloom into beautiful flowers.

I finally got to the tallest building in the city, and all I could do was stare at it, as if I was half expecting it to fall on me.

I approached the front desk at the reception, where a woman with a tight bun andsharp eyes looked up at me.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“I’m here to see Alexander Grey.” I said.