Chapter Seven: Leaving The Old Me Behind

Camille’s POV

“Veronica Thompson.” I said my new name out slowly, as if my tongue needs to learn it.

Adrian looked at me across the hospital room

“You need to learn how to respond to it without hesitation.”

“I know.” I nodded.

Knowing something and feeling something is different, I know I need to respond to the name without hesitation but it will definitely take time for me to stay accustomed to the name.

“This is temporary,” he said. “But for now, it’s the only way you stay invisible.”

I didn’t argue with him, I have lost the strength to argue when I have lost everything.

He handed me a thin folder which he had gone out to collect few minutes ago.

Inside there was passport, visa, bank card and every other thing I needed to travel. All with my new name.

This is how power works in Valmont. It didn’t take him 24hrs to get everything arranged.

“You’ll leave tonight,” he said. “Everything you need is available. I don’t want you to stop or allow anything to delay you.”

“Where is this place I’m going to?” I asked him. I was still unsure of the place I’m going to. I needed to know if it’s a place I can comfortably raise my kids.

“Somewhere no one in Valmont looks,” he said. “You will be going to Marley.”

“Where’s Marley?” I asked.

“It’s not too far from here, it’s a cool place you will stay and raise your kids.” He answered calmly.

“When I cross the border, Camille Hale will be gone?” I asked quietly.

“Yes.” He answered.

I closed my eyes, all memories of my life in Valmont flashed in my eyes. When I was buried as a kid. How hard it was growing up, and how I felt relieved when Marcus came into my life. I thought he was my savior. But now everything came crashing down. Life is really unpredictable.

I closed the passport, I turned and Adrian was looking at me. He looked at me with so much worry. I was so glad I met him, he had been my savior since the incident.

“Any doubt?” He asked.

I shook my head. “Only regrets, and regrets won’t protect me and my kids.”

He stood and offered me his hands. I gently took his hands and he helped me stand up from the hospital bed. Immediately I stood up, I felt so dizzy and I was about to fall back to the bed, and he pulled me back, bringing our bodies in close contact.

He gazed into my eyes softly. “You should be careful.” He said calmly.

“Uhm, okay I will.” I stuttered.

“I brought your belongings when you had the accident, it’s in my car,” he said. “Everything you need for traveling is ready.” He handed me a bag, inside was pretty black dress and a white shoe.

“Thank you so much.” I smiled at him.

“You’re welcome, change into the clothes. I will take care of the hospital bills.” He said and he left.

I picked the clothes and went into the restroom to change.

The car ride through Valmont was silent. The city slept as if nothing had happened. As if no one had been dragged through the dirt. As if no woman haf been branded a liar and thrown out of her own life.

Light passed outside the window, we passed familiar streets. Places I would never walk again.

“Once you leave,” Adrain said focusing on the steering, “you cannot come back without preparation. Valmont doesn’t forgive disappearances.”

“I’m not asking for their forgiveness ,” I replied. “I only need time.”

He nodded. “You’ll contact me only through the channel I gave you, it won’t contain any name or details relating to you.”

“And if something happens to me?” I asked.

“Then I’ll know,” he said. “I will have my people watch over you.”

That wasn’t comforting, but it was honest.

We reached the airport without incident. No one followed us or stopped us. That frightened me more than resistance would have.

At the terminal, Adrian handed me the final envelope.

“This is where I stop,” he said.

I hesitated. “ you’re not coming?”

“No.” He answered calmly.

I swallowed. “Thank you so much for everything, I don’t know how I would have navigated through all these without you. I’m so grateful for meeting you.”

He studied my face, as if he is memorizing it. “This isn’t goodbye.”

“It feels like one.”

“It isn’t,” he said firmly. “It’s a pause.”

I nodded and turned away before my courage failed.

At the gate, the officer checked my passport.

“Veronica Thompson,” he said.

My heart jumped. “Yes,” I replied immediately.

The word came out clean and natural.

The officer stamped the passport and handed it back without another look.

And just like that, Camille Hale Vanished.

I turned back, Adrian was still standing there. He waved at me, and he quietly left the airport.

And finally I was alone.

This is when everything begins.

On the plane, I sat by the window. As the engines started, my hands trembled. I placed one over my stomach instinctively.

“I’m doing this for you,” I whispered. “For both of you.”

The plane lifted.

Valmont disappeared beneath the clouds.

I didn’t cry, I didn’t look back.

I only said my new name once more, under my breath, steady this time.

“Veronica Thompson.”

And for the first time since everything broke, I felt something close to control. I felt readiness.

I brought out my phone, I wiped clean all the memories I had in Valmont.

I have finally left the old me behind. And I don’t regret ever doing so.