Chapter 5

Cameron’s POV

I barely remembered the drive home. My mind was a mess, my stomach twisting in knots as I pulled into the driveway. My hands were still shaking from my conversation with Brandon, from Dad’ phone call, from everything.

I wasn’t stupid. I knew what was coming.

I took a deep breath and pushed open the door, stepping inside.

The second I did, I felt it.

The heavy tension in the air.

Dad stood in the middle of the living room, fists clenched, face red with pure rage. His phone was clutched in his hand, the screen still glowing. His other hand gripped a stack of printed photos—the photos.

I swallowed hard.

“Cameron.” His voice was low, deadly. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

My throat was dry. My pulse pounded so loud I thought I might pass out.

Then he threw the photos onto the table.

I didn’t want to look, but my eyes betrayed me.

There it was. My worst nightmare in full color.

Me. Brandon. The party. The kiss.

My breath caught in my throat.

“How could you be this stupid?” Dad’ voice was sharp as a knife, slicing right through me. “You’re already a disappointment, and now this?”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

He stepped closer, his face contorted with rage. “You’re weak, Cameron. I’ve put up with a lot from you, but this?” He gestured wildly at the photos. “You’re messing around with a man?”

I clenched my fists.

Of course. Of course, this was what pushed him over the edge. Not the failed campaign. Not the blackmail. Not the fact that my life was spiraling. Just this.

I should’ve been scared. And maybe I was. But more than anything, I felt tired.

Tired of pretending. Tired of fighting for his approval.

Tired of him.

Dad grabbed my shirt, shoving me back against the wall. “Do you know how humiliating this is? How ashamed am I to even look at you?”

I barely heard him. My heartbeat was so loud it drowned out everything else.

Then the first hit landed.

Pain exploded across my cheek.

I staggered back, gripping the wall. My vision blurred for a second, but I stayed standing.

Another hit.

This time, it knocked the air from my lungs.

I gasped, tasting blood in my mouth.

Dad loomed over me. “You’re useless. You’ve always been useless.”

I swallowed, forcing myself to stay still. To keep my breathing steady.

But as I wiped the blood from my lip, something shifted inside me.

This wasn’t just about me anymore.

My mother’s name was still smeared with lies. The inheritance that should have been mine was hanging by a thread. And Dad—he thought he could take everything from me. That I would let him.

I exhaled slowly. Lifted my gaze.

Then, with deliberate calm, I said, “Brandon and I are lovers.”

Silence.

For a moment, he just stared at me, his face frozen in pure disbelief.

Then—

“WHAT?”

The rage I expected. The confusion? That was just a bonus.

Dad' fists twitched at his sides. “You’re lying.”

A slow smirk curled on my lips, I tilted my head. “We’re getting married.”

He reeled back as if I had struck him. “You—” 

Dad's breathing turned ragged and his face twisted with fury.