Camille jaw dropped, her eyes searched through Diego’s but found nothing like sympathy.
Shania and Tiana gasped, they were not surprised but instead, happy. “Are you seriously telling me that? Not after you destroyed my child!” Camille yelped with fury. “Tsk, Did you really want me to believe that lie?! How sure are you that the baby is mine!” Diego fired back, Camille was taken aback. Yes, Diego was so drunk and mistook Camille for Tiana that very night, he slept with Camille though She didn’t mind if it was Tiana’s name he was mentioning throughout the night, she was elated she had her first night with Diego. But,, now he’s denying the baby? Camille felt nothing but pure betrayal and heartbroken. All she did was love him. “You’re a jerk! You’re nothing but a jerk! I loved you with all of my heart, Diego!” Camille wailed, tears gathered in her eye and poured out like a running water. “No one asked to love me. I made it clearly that I was only marrying for the sake of grandma. I never loved you neither will I,” Diego mentioned unfazed. “Finally! My son is coming back to his senses,” Shania added smiling looking at Tiana with beams. “I,,swear you will all regret this, I will make y’all pay!” Camille growled but Tiana laughed from where she stood. “Did you just say ‘make us pay?!’ You should be regretful we aren’t suing you for defamation! Tsk, Have you looked at yourself in the mirror and see why you should never be here!” Tiana rasped with a snarl “Mark my words, I, Camille Dante will make sure everyone of you pay for killing my innocent child!” Camille cried with heavy heart. “Expect he papers tomorrow morning. “Diego said, he turned and left the place. Camille crumbled to the floor, her knees bruised due to falling earlier but she cared less. “Get a life, fake ass,” Shania spat on her face as she also walked out followed by Tiana. Camille stood up and walked aimlessly out of the living room as well, she was barefooted going out of the house with tears streaming out her eyes. Not paying attention to where she’s headed, the horn of a moving car made her jolt back to reality and by the time she lifted her head, a car was coming at her direction on a high speed. Weak to move out of the way, she stood still waiting for the car to hit her, “Get out of the way!” Someone’s voice interrupted and felt a masculine figure wrapped around her as she was pulled out of the way. “Are you crazy?! Are trying to die?” The voice growled but everything sounded like an echo to Camille’s ear, “You,,you have let me die-” She couldn’t finish up her words when she passed out on the man’s chest, her tears dropped on his vest. FEW HOURS LATER “Argh, my,,” Camille opened her eyes, her thiny blue eyes landed on an unfamiliar chandelier, she quickly sit upright. “Where am I.. How did I get here,” She questioned looking around. “Finally, you’ve woken up. I was just thinking if I should take you to the hospital, are you okay?” A tall man came in just right in time, he held a cup of water on his hand. Camille furrowed her eyebrows, “Who are you?” She queried getting up from the bed. “Easy, you just woke up,” The man tried to calm her down but Camille wasn’t buying his sympathy. The man surrendered, “Okay, I was the guy that saved you from getting hit by the moving car. This is my vacation house, You should rest a little more,” He added Camille remembered what had happened earlier, she was almost hit by a car. Her face lightened up a bit and she bit her lower lips. “Thank you mister but I have to leave,” She was already leaving when the man came out with a pair of white sneakers. “Wear these at least, don’t tell me you want to go barefoot?” He offered while Camille hesitated. “Err,,,” “Don’t give me no for an answer, Wear them,” The young man cut her off and bend over to her feet, placing her small leg into the sneakers. Camille felt warmth with his gentle touch, why couldn’t Diego be like this? She thought. “Thank you, bye.” She simply mumbled under her breathe walking out of the premises. NEXT MORNING Camille packed her bags, she had brought few things into the house after she got married to Diego. She loved the house at her first time but not anymore, it’s hell. “Do you even deserve to take anything from here? You should leave with nothing isn’t it?” Shania interrupted as she stood at the door way with Tiana behind her. Camille scoffed but continued packing her clothes. “I’m leaving your house for good. It’s all useless at the end of the day, you both and have your extravagant life!” She snapped getting up with her briefcase. Diego walked into the room, “Come out, the divorce lawyer is outside,” He announced while Camille walked past as she went to the guest parlor. The divorce lawyer seated in the parlor as he checked the papers careful, he lifted his head when he noticed the appearance of Camille. “Good morning, Camille,” The man greeted “Yeah, Mr Ethan. Where is the divorce paper?” Camille asked nonchalantly. Mr Ethan placed the paper on the shelf, Camille took it and read the content on it. “I don’t need the money stated here. I will sign the papers without collecting a dime from the Rodrigos” Camille clarified. Diego who was standing at the door way sniffed, “I’m trying to be nice here, take the damn money so I won’t have to pay any money in the future,” He blurted Camille folded her fist, “I’m not a cunning person like your family. I don’t want anything from you. Get it?” She snapped grabbing the pen and signed on the paper. “I’m no longer Camille Rodrigo. I’m Camille Dante as of now. Have a miserable life!” Camille shrieked as she walked out of the house. Four years of loving Diego came to nothing but waste. Camille stood at the bus station, the cold breeze lifted her flawless hair, looking like an homeless lady. Yeah, she’s an homeless lady. Then all of a sudden, two black SUV car pulled over at her front, she squinted her eyes, who are they? Two guys came out of the car, they were putting on suit and glasses on their face. “Finally miss Camille, we found you,” One of them said and it made Camille wondered. “Please who are you?” “We work for your father, he asked us to bring you home, Leonard Guevara.” Camille blinked repeatedly, is she hearing them well? Leonard Guevara? The only Leonard Guevara she knew in the city was one of the richest man in the world. How,, how did he suddenly became her father??(A YEAR LATER)Camille gazed down at her newborn son, ensconced in the soft blanket she had lovingly prepared. His tiny fingers curled around hers, and she couldn’t help but smile. He was indeed a handsome baby boy, with tufts of dark hair and a peaceful expression that filled her heart with an overwhelming sense of joy. Next to her, Xavier sat, his eyes gleaming with pride as he took in the miracle before them. “Isn’t he so small and beautiful?” Xavier asked, his heart fluttering.Together, they had built a life filled with warmth, laughter, and now, the beautiful chaos of parenthood.The little family was nestled in a snug corner of their home, a small but welcoming space that’s decorated with lots of love. “He’s my new bundle of joy…my peace,” Camille found herself muttering, the small boy grabbed her hand.“What am I, if he’s your peace? I’m here too… I should be your inner peace as well!” Xavier chipped in teasingly, Camille laughed out loud and slap him playfully on the ches
THE DAY OF UNION.The sun rose on a clear, bright morning, casting a golden glow on the beautiful room of the Guevara’s. Time seemed to be so fast on Camille’s side…Wasn’t it just last month when everything seemed it was never going to better?Camille stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her veil and taking a deep breath. The day she’s always dreamt of…her wedding with someone she loves. Her satin gown shimmered under the soft light, reflecting the excitement bubbling within her. “You’re looking beautiful,” Irene muttered coming into the room, her hair packed in a loose updo, her silk mint dress flow beautifully on the floor.Anyone would have mistaken Irene for the if she was putting on white. Camille’s face softened, the tension she was feeling earlier melt away when she saw Irene’s face.“I’m grateful you’re here, I’m so nervous Irene.” Camille laments, Irene move closer and took her hand.“It’s your big day! Don’t let that anxiety ruin your look. You’re damn beautiful, ma’am
(THE FOLLOWING WEEK)Camille sat at the waiting room, her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of Tiana. Camille had decided to visit her today but TianA was totally different, the once-vibrant woman she’d known now looked like a shadow of her former self. Dark circles clung beneath Tiana's eyes, and her skin, usually radiant, now appeared hollow and sallow. Her hair is a total mess.“How have you been, Tiana?” Camille called softly, that was then Tiana lifted her gaze, only to meet Camille’s.“What do you want, Camille? You’re the least person I’d thought of seeing today! ” Tiana’s voice was flat, echoing with the weight of unspoken pain.“Not like I’ve got a choice? But I felt like if I don’t say these words to you, I might never fight peace too,” Camille said, resting her back against the chair. . “You look... exhausted.” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “You can’t keep going like this. You need to find peace too.”Tiana laughed, a harsh, manic soun
After weeks of camping her at the hospital, Camille was finally home. Her small heels clicked on the floor as she stepped into the main building, spreading her hands wide into the atmosphere, her nostril recognized the sweet scent of her home. God knows she has missed this!“You miss home…that much?” Xavier asked behind her, she turned. “Yea! I missed it! So much!”“Camille!” the excited voice of her father reverberated through the house. His figure moved swiftly towards her, arms wide open as if he were preparing to catch her in a warm embrace that had been too long in coming. “You’re finally back! We’ve missed you so much!”As he enveloped her in a bear hug, Camille felt all the worry and fear that had clung to her for so long begin to melt away. She returned the embrace with equal fervor, her heart swelling with joy and relief. “That’s so random coming from someone who visited the hospital everyday…” She teased.Then she heard a sound from behind, she turned. Irene was already i
————————Camille's eyelids fluttered as consciousness slowly seeped back into her weary mind, and she blinked against the harsh glare of the fluorescent lights above. Her blurry vision adjusted, she caught sight of familiar faces anxiously waiting by her bedside. Xavier's eyes, usually so full of life, were clouded with worry. He reached out instinctively at the sound of her shallow breaths, his hand gripping hers with a mix of relief and fear. “I’m here, I’m here. You survived, my queen.” He had mumbled happily.Beside him stood her father, his expression a blend of worry and gladness. His expression became something comforting to Camille, she was not alone.Then her eyes caught the doctors standing beside her, for some minutes, the doctor examined her thoroughly before turning to Leonard, “She’s fine now. All she needs is to respond quickly to the treatment,” The doctor explained.“Thank you Doc.”“If there’s any issue again kindly reach out to me as soon as possible,” With that t
(2 DAYS LATER)Days passed in a blur of paperwork, phone calls, and late-night strategy sessions. Xavier made sure Leonard was out of jail in no time, Theo and his brother has been arrested and put behind bars with a desirable sentence each.Xavier waited outside of the prison in his car, his gaze were fixed on the prison gates, “When-” before he could even say a thing, Leonard stepped out of the prison.He adjusted to the bright light that shone upon him. When last did he see the atmosphere so bright? One or two weeks ago?Then he spot a white car outside. Xavier came down from the car, Leonard’s eyes glimmered as he approached him. “Thank you, Xavier,” Leonard mumbled, a tiny smile on his lips.“There’s no need…just consider it as something I should have done. I’m glad everything went just as I hoped,”Xavier said, apprehending the intensity of the moment.Leonard nod, got into the car and drove away.And—the rest of the ride to the hospital was practically in silence.————————Xavi