Chapter Two: The Man Who Stopped Me

Camille‘s POV 

I twisted my arm hard, ready to lash out, ready to scream. Then I saw his face. I froze. 

Adrian Steele. Fiora’s husband. 

He stood close enough that I could smell his cologne, clean and sharp, nothing like Marcus’s usual scent. His hands were still around my wrist, firm but careful, not possessive, like he was holding something fragile without meaning to break it.

“You have no right,” I said, my voice shaking despite my effort. “Let go of me.”

He released me immediately. 

“I know,” he said. “But you don’t want to do this. Not like this.”

My laugh came out thin and broken. “Do what? Interrupt my husband while he’s kissing another woman?”

Behind us, laughter drifted from the pavilion. Marcus’s voice wrapped itself around my chest and squeezed.

I looked past Adrian, through the hedge, it was enough to see them.

Marcus had Fiora pressed lightly against the stone railing now, her hand holding his jacket. Her head was leaned back, her mouth close to his ear. She looked calm and confident, like a woman who knew she was winning.

Something inside me broke.

“I heard them,” I said, my words barely steady. “I heard everything.” 

Adrain’s jaw tightened. “So did I.” 

I turned back to him slowly. “How long were you standing there?”

“Long enough.” 

The way he said it told me this wasn’t curiosity, this was not just a suspicion, this was proof.

“They don’t even care,” I whispered. “ I think She knew I was nearby and She wanted me to hear all these."

“Yes.” Adrain said. “She wanted you hurt.” 

The certainty in his voice startled me.

“I followed Fiora tonight,” he continued. “She has been distant for weeks, when she walked away from the main hall, I followed her and I don’t think she knew I followed her. I made sure to hide perfectly so she wouldn't see me.

My chest felt tight and heavy.

“She told him,” he went on, eyes fixed somewhere past my shoulder, “that she never loved me. That marrying me was for status, a convenient one.”

I stared at him.

“She said,” he added quietly, “that she wants to take all my wealth and properties if her plan works.”

The words stayed between us like ash.

Behind the hedge, Fiora laughed softly. Marcus said something I couldn’t hear, and she responded by kissing him again, slowly, deliberately ,and without shame. 

My nails pressed into my palm.

“I want to walk in there,” I said. “I want to look him in the eye and ask him how long he’s been lying to me.”

“And then what?” Adrain asked.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

“They will deny it,” he said. “That’s what they would do, they will say you misunderstood and that you are emotional. That you imagined it.” 

I swallowed hard. 

“This is Valmont,” he continued. “Truth doesn’t matter here. Control does.”

“I’m his wife,” I said weakly.

“And she’s my wife,” Adrian replied.

The word didn’t comfort me. They made it worse. 

I thought about our marriage, the quiet dinners, the small signs of affection, how Marcus was always distant, and the empty sex we had.

“Camille is a soft and loyal woman,” Fiora’s voice floated over the hedge.

Marcus chuckled. “She is. She has been useful and loyal since she was my secretary, she helped me grow my empire.” He said.

This man never loved me one bit. My heart continued to shatter.

Adrian moved slightly, putting himself between me and the pavilion. He wasn’t blocking my view, he was stopping me from falling apart.

“She wants a reaction,”he said. “A scene, tears and anger. Something she can twist.”

I shook my head. “I don’t care what they want.”

“You should,” he said gently. “Tomorrow, when everyone is watching.”

I hated that he was right.

If I confronted Marcus tonight, I would lose. Not because I was wrong, but because I would be alone. 

My shoulder dropped.

“I feel stupid,” I whispered.

“You are not,” Adrian said. “You trusted the man you married. That isn’t stupidity. It’s honesty.” 

A moment passed, then another.

“Come with me,” he said. “I will walk you out.”

“No,” I said quickly. “People will notice.” 

“They already notice everything,” he replied. “Just not the things that matter.” 

We moved away from the pavilion slowly, careful not to draw attention. My legs felt heavy, but I forced myself to walk normally. Smile politely at the guests we passed and nodded when someone greeted me.

No one asked where Marcus was.

At the edge of the garden, Adrain stopped. “You should go somewhere safe tonight.” 

“My home is safe,” I said automatically. 

His expression flickered. “I hope so.” 

I turned to him. “Why did you stop me?

“Because she wanted you to break,” he answered. “And because once you break, they control the story.”

I studied his face, it was calm, composed, but strained at the edges. 

“You are not angry,” I said.

“I am,” he replied. “I’m just choosing not to show it.”

A bitter smile tugged at my lips. “That makes one of us.” 

“You don’t have to decide anything tonight,” he said. “Don’t confront him. Don’t accuse anyone, just survive this night.”

I nodded slowly.

“Thank you” I said, surprised at how much I meant it.

He inclined his head slightly. “If you need help.” He added, “ask.” 

Then he stepped back, giving me space.

I walked down the gravel path alone. My heels stayed steady. My head stayed high, inside everything felt empty.

I didn’t look back. I won't let anyone see me break.

Behind me the party continued, the music swelled. Laughter carried through the night.

The line of cars waited quietly, engine low, drivers patient. I headed straight for ours.

The bodyguards stepped forward before I could reach the door.

“Mrs. Hale,” he says, not rudely, “we can’t leave without Mr. Hale.”

I stared at him. “What?”

“It’s Mr. Hale’s instruction,” he explained. “Both of you will leave together.”

For a moment, I couldn’t speak.

“My husband is busy,” I said slowly. “I want to go home.” 

The bodyguard hesitated, then shook his head. “I’m sorry, ma’am.”

Sorry. The word burned.

I turned away.

“I’ll find my own way,” I said.

The bodyguard didn’t stop me.

The road outside the estate was quiet.

I pulled out my phone and opened a ride app, my fingers were trembling as I typed in my address. The loading circle spun once. Twice. No cars available.

I lowered my phone and started walking. 

The night air felt colder now. My dress was thin. My thoughts were loud.

I was halfway down the road when headlights flashed behind me. 

I stopped, my heart jumping into my throat. 

A sleek black sports car slowed and pulled up beside me. 

The engine hummed softly, smooth and was expensive. The passenger window remained closed.

I stepped back without thinking.

The window rolled down.

“Get in.” The voice was firm.

It was Adrian.