LOGINCamelia stood in front of the window of her apartment. The city lights shimmered in the distance, yet her thoughts drifted far into the past. Her chest felt tight, not from exhaustion, but from memories that resurfaced without permission.That night—the night she officially became Calvin Ashford’s wife.“Finally,” Camelia murmured softly in the spacious yet unfamiliar bridal room.Her nightgown was simple, but she chose the boldest one she owned. Not to seduce, but to prove to herself that she was a wife. The lawful wife of the man she had secretly loved for seven years.She looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was tense, but her eyes shone.“You’re married to him,” she whispered to her own reflection. “That’s what matters.”The bedroom door opened. Calvin walked in without lingering. He casually removed his suit jacket, loosened his tie. His face was cold, far from the image of a groom Camelia had imagined.“You’re not asleep yet?” Calvin asked shortly.Camelia turned, sm
Chapter 23Camelia rose calmly from her chair. She lightly patted the napkin on her lap, then looked at Juna.“I’m going to the restroom for a moment,” she said softly.Juna nodded. “Don’t take too long. Daven’s food is almost finished.”Camelia gave the children a faint smile. “Mama will be right back.”Aurora nodded. “Okay, Ma.”Camelia walked away toward the restroom hallway. Her steps looked calm, but her mind was in turmoil. The encounter earlier had left her chest feeling uneasy.As soon as the women’s restroom door closed behind her, Camelia let out a long breath. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, briefly fixing her hair.“Calm down,” she murmured to herself. “This is just a coincidence.”A few minutes later, she stepped out of the restroom. But after just one step, her arm was pulled hard.“Ah!” Camelia gasped in shock.Calvin stood in front of her. His face was cold, his eyes dark.“What do you mean?” Calvin asked bluntly, his voice low.Camelia tried to pull her ar
Chapter 22Night finally fell.Aurora ran lightly from the living room toward the door as soon as the bell rang, followed by Daven, who walked faster than usual.“Uncle Juna!” Aurora shouted happily.The door opened, revealing Juna, who had just set down his small suitcase. Before he could say anything, the two children had already wrapped their arms tightly around his waist.“You two,” Juna laughed as he rubbed their heads. “You’re heavier now.”“We really missed you,” Aurora said without letting go of the hug. “It’s been two months since we last met.”“Yeah,” Daven added. “Uncle took so long.”Juna crouched down to be at eye level with them. “Uncle missed you too. But Uncle had to work first so he could come here.”Camelia stood behind them, the smile on her face feeling lighter than it had all morning. “Come inside first. Don’t stand at the door.”Juna stood up and looked at Camelia. “You look thinner. What’s wrong?”Camelia shrugged. “Just a little tired.”Juna glanced briefly at
Chapter 21Calvin stared at the bedroom door that was half open. Samantha was asleep, her breathing steady, her face no longer as pale as it had been the night before. The glass of medicine on the bedside table was already empty. He stood there for a few seconds, making sure the woman was truly asleep.“I’ll just be gone for a moment,” he murmured softly, not sure to whom.He took his car keys and jacket, then stepped out without making a sound. The door closed quietly behind him.In Camelia’s apartment, the atmosphere was quiet. Camelia had just returned from the kitchen, placing a small bag of groceries on the table. Shela had sent a message a few minutes earlier, informing her that she had taken Aurora and Daven for a walk at the city park and would be back in the afternoon.Camelia let out a relieved breath. “Thank you, Shela,” she murmured.She walked into the living room, about to tidy up the remaining toys, when the apartment bell rang.Camelia stopped. Her brows furrowed.“Who
Morning had not fully brightened when Calvin opened his eyes. He was sitting on the sofa in the guest room, his suit hanging on the back of a chair. He had barely slept all night. Every time he closed his eyes, what appeared instead was Camelia’s face, standing stiffly in the restaurant the night before.A soft cough came from the bedroom.“Calvin…” Samantha called weakly.Calvin stood up and immediately went into the room. Samantha was half-sitting on the bed, her face pale, her hair loose and messy.“You’re awake?” Calvin asked.“I’m dizzy again,” Samantha complained while holding her temple. “I think I had a fever last night.”Calvin touched her forehead. “You’re not warm.”Samantha bit her lip. “But my head feels heavy. Don’t go yet, okay?”Calvin fell silent. He glanced at the watch on his wrist, then unconsciously looked toward the door.“I just want to step out for a bit,” he said at last.“Where are you going?” Samantha asked quickly, her tone rising before she softened it aga
Chapter 19The apartment door closed softly behind Camelia.Camelia immediately leaned against the door. Her chest rose and fell unevenly. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, trying to calm the heavy breathing that had plagued her since earlier.“Finally…” she murmured softly.Aurora turned her head, still hugging her teddy bear. “What’s wrong, Mama?”Camelia opened her eyes and smiled faintly. “It’s nothing. Mama is just tired.”Daven placed his small bag on the sofa. “At the restaurant earlier, Mama looked scared.”Camelia fell silent for a moment. She walked closer, then knelt in front of her two children.“It wasn’t fear,” she said softly. “Mama just didn’t want any trouble.”“What kind of trouble?” Aurora asked innocently.Camelia stroked her daughter’s hair. “Adult problems. You don’t need to think about them.”Daven studied his mother’s face carefully. “That man… he really isn’t Dad?”The question made Camelia tense for a split second. But she quickly regained her composure.







