Chapter 4: Charlotte and Camila

Come to think of it, Luke is exactly my type of man. He's kind, handsome, gentle with his words, has a tender gaze that flutters my heart with each stare, thin kissable lips, he is soft yet firm.

Luke is all this and more.

I frown as an image of Kristen runs through my mind. I shake my head, emptying my thoughts of him, he's my past now.

I help Kendrick tuck in and as I turn to leave, he grabs my wrist firmly, his grip sending a jolt of surprise through me. My eyes widen, and memories of early this morning come rushing back.

I start to panic, what have I done now? My brows crease, waiting for his next move. Surprisingly, he places my hand, palm spread, on his chest.

I blink, confused by this.

"Do you feel it?" He asks with a straight face. I tilt my head, unsure of what he's referring to. All I sense is the steady rhythm of his heart beneath my palm. I shake my head slowly in response.

"Even though we're husband and wife, Elodie, I feel nothing for you," he says, and I frown.

Kendrick's gaze pierced into mine, his voice laced with indifference "I don't care how much you might love me as you said but the only woman in my heart is Charlotte and you can never take her place"

My frown deepens, again with this Charlotte….who exactly is this woman? From the way Kendrick speaks of her, I can guess she may have been his ex-wife or ex-girlfriend.

Nevertheless, who does he think he is? I scoff and snatch my hand off his grip. "Suit yourself" he's not the only one with someone else in his heart.

I miss Kristen, a lot.

I grab the extra bedding, I feel Kendrick stare at my back, but I ignore it and plop down on the couch. Today was a rough start, hopefully, tomorrow will be better.

My thoughts drift to Kristen; memories of us wash over me before. Nostalgia wraps around me, a longing desire.

As the memories begin to fade, exhaustion claims me and I succumb to a deep, dream-filled sleep.

A cold, chappy feeling at the back of my throat has me opening my eyes. I yawn, checking the time on my phone.

It's midnight, I sigh. My half-asleep eyes reach Kendrick; I can hear his subtle breaths…he seems peaceful.

I'll just get a glass of water.

I descend the stairs almost reaching the kitchen. My ear twitches at the sound of voices and I halt. My curiosity piqued, I slip into the darkness, pressing my back against the wall as I listen quietly……wait, why am I hiding?

It's probably a family member or, better still, a maid or servant. I attempt a move but freeze upon hearing Camila's hushed voice "Should we be bothered?" She asks in a low tone.

Next comes Rose's firm voice "Hmm, I've got a bad feeling about that woman"

I listen closely, my curiosity burning, are they talking about me? I wonder.

"Me too. Kendrick has not come down from his room for a long time but today he suddenly comes out and even confronts Luke" I notice the annoyance in Camila's voice as she speaks

"It's that woman," Rose curses, "She'll spoil our plans"

My ears shoot up, plans?? What plans?

Camila's voice is laced with worry as she says, "I don't know what to do; what if Kendrick recovers?"

"Not a chance," Rose scoffs.

My forehead puckers, my face etched with confusion. They don't want Kendrick to recover? What exactly is going on here? Does Luke know about this?

"Then what can we do?" Camila asks

"That's easy; we'll keep him in his depressed state; that way, he can't recover. Plus, he'll keep harassing his new wife till she leaves on her own, then we can finish him off" Rose responds in a confident voice.

My mind is in a daze and I crouch down slowly. I'm still not sure who Camila is and her relationship with the Hollands but Rose? She is Kendrick's stepmother, how can she be so heartless?

"Just tell me what to do," Camila urges Rose.

Rose speaks in a menacingly low voice "I'm sure you've still got something that can cause a spark in his memory, you know, something you both did together that holds sentimental value. Make him remember you. After all, you're his first and only love, Charlotte Hawkins"

Charlotte!? A quiet gasp escapes my lips. I stand immediately. Charlotte is Camila? The one Kendrick's been going crazy about is Camila.

Is she answering a different name so Kendrick wouldn't know?

My mind snaps as I recall. I've seen a framed picture of this 'Charlotte' woman but I only glanced at it. Is Camila Charlotte?

My mind reels and I quietly but quickly make my way back up the stairs. As I enter our room, I can't help but feel like an intruder.

Does this concern me? I can try to mind my business all while I'm here, but I'm curious to know if Camila and Charlotte are the same people and the relationship Charlotte has with Kendrick.

I walk up to the bedside table, occasionally glancing at Kendrick's sleeping form. My gaze lands on the photo frame and I pick it up, studying the image

My eyes sweep over the lady in the picture and my brows crease. The woman in the picture looks nothing like Camila. The complexion, eyes and hair color…..everything, it's all different.

Are they not the same? Or did Camila change her face?

I scrutinize the picture; she's standing with Kendrick, and at the back is the Holland's company. I notice Kendrick's arm around her waist and her flushed expression.

I was right! Maybe she used to be his wife or girlfriend. I still don't get it.

As I ponder, I look at Kendrick and my gaze drifts to the window. I narrow my eyes, my brows knitting. I swear I locked that window earlier….

Suddenly, the hair at the back of my neck rises and I feel a presence behind me. I spin around, but before I can react, a force strikes my head, and everything goes dark.