Chapter 3

Camila’s POV:

“I can't believe this.” I, a married woman, was naked in a stranger's bed, yet I was more concerned about why he looked familiar.

Hissing under my breath, I slid out from under the duvet and scrambled around the unfamiliar room, gathering my discarded clothes from the floor. Then I fled out of the bar, threw myself into my car, and drove back to our apartment.

However, the moment I stepped off the elevator on our floor, my heart broke when I saw my suitcases in front of our apartment door. 

“Damn it!” I shrieked, then I stormed over to the door and began slamming my fist against the wood. "Daniel! Open this door! Daniel!"

Within seconds, the door swung open and Daniel stood in the entryway but my gaze didn't stay on him for long. Behind him, leaning carelessly against the doorframe, was Samantha.

"Why are my bags outside, Daniel?" I asked, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to remain calm.

"These are the divorce papers, Camila. You need to sign them immediately and leave.”

Daniel said, reaching into his suit jacket to pull out a thick brown envelope which he held out toward me.

‘How could someone become so entirely heartless overnight?’ I questioned myself as tears began to trickle down my cheeks but I angrily wiped them away with the back of my hand.

“Have you even given this a single second thought? You are going to regret this. I swear to God, you will regret this."

"I won't regret saving my life's work.” Daniel replied coldly. "And as I promised you last night, I’m going to have the alimony money sent to your account the exact moment the divorce is finalized.” 

Seeing the utter uselessness of begging for a humanity they clearly didn't possess, I snapped my hand forward and snatched the brown envelope from Daniel's grip. 

"Give me a pen." I demanded and Daniel handed me a black pen from his pocket.

With trembling fingers, I pulled the documents out, flipped to the signature page, and scribbled my name across the line, then I shoved the pen back into his chest. 

"Keep your money, Daniel." I snapped, throwing my car keys at me. "No amount of your money could ever repay the sacrifices I made for you. I had a wonderful life before I ever met you, and now that you won't be in it anymore, I will still have a good life."

Bending down, I picked up the handle of my heaviest suitcase while Daniel stood frozen in the doorway, staring down at me with an unreadable expression, until Samantha reached out, grabbed his arm, and pulled him back inside the apartment.

The moment they were gone, my legs gave out, and I fell heavily to the floor of the hallway, burying my face in my hands as sobs wracked my body. It took me a long time to gather the strength to move. 

Going back and forth, I dragged my bags down to the lobby one by one, then I hailed a cab, asking the driver to take me to the nearest hotel.

As the cab merged into the city traffic, I suddenly realized that I didn't have a job.

After our college graduation, I had been eager to start a career, but Daniel had explicitly insisted that I become a stay-at-home wife. I thought it was an act of love so I had agreed but because of that choice, I hadn't earned a single dime of my own in years. 

And just a few minutes ago, fueled by anger, I had foolishly rejected his alimony. But I had a baby to think about, and with the meager funds in my account, I wouldn't even be able to afford a hotel room for more than a week, let alone medical care, food, and a life for my child. 

Taking a deep, shaky breath, I leaned forward. "Sir, please turn the car around. Take me to the Langston estate instead."

The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, frowning. "That’s all the way across town, miss. It’s going to cost a lot extra on the fare."

"I don't care." I whispered, pulling every last bit of cash from my purse. "Just please take me there."

The driver nodded, spinning the wheel to reverse the car. When the cab finally pulled up to the iron gates of the sprawling Langston estate, I paid the driver the last of my cash, leaving my wallet completely empty. 

He kindly helped me wheel my bags near the gate before driving away and the security guard at the gatehouse peered out. 

“Miss Camila?” He gasped then without another word, he hit the buzzer, letting me inside, and immediately called for another security guard to help carry my luggage up the driveway.

“Thank you.” I said, dragging a small suitcase to the front door where I pressed the doorbell and a young maid opened the door, blinking at me in confusion. "Yes? How can I help you?"

"Tell Mrs. Langston that her daughter, Camila, is here to see her." I said, and the maid rushed back inside then she returned a few minutes later. "Right this way, Miss Camila. They are at the dining table."

I swallowed hard, then forced my wobbly legs to follow her through the hallways then into the sunlit dining room where my mother and stepfather were seated at the long mahogany table, surrounded by a lavish breakfast spread. 

But my footsteps suddenly came to halt because seated right across from them, holding a cup of coffee, was the man I had just woken up next to, completely naked, only hours ago.

“Camila!” My mother instantly stood up from her chair, her eyes welling with tears as she rushed toward me. "Oh my god, my sweet girl, you're home!" 

She threw her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug but I couldn't feel it because my eyes were locked on the man who had now set his coffee down and was staring up at me. 

“Mom…” I pulled out of her embrace, my voice shaking as I pointed a trembling finger at him. "Who... who is he?”

My mother blinked, startled by my reaction then she turned to look at the young man and replied. "Oh, Camila, this is Vincent Langston, your step-brother.”