Chapter Two: The last supper

Camilla’s POV

The two-hundred-thousand-dollar, black Hermès backless halter-neck fitted me perfectly.

I planned to wear it the night I'd finally tell Nathaniel I was pregnant but that day was never going to come.

I had booked a hotel after I left the house, showered, changed and showed up to the Hartford family dinner because I wanted to look them all in the eye for the last time.

The estate dining room smelled like money and misery, the way it always did.

Margaret Hartford, my mother-in-law, looked up from her wine glass the moment I stepped in.

"You're seven minutes late."

"Good evening to you too, Mother."

Her eyes twitched. She hated when I used that term on her.

Ingrid Hartford, Nathaniel's younger sister, was already seated and scrolling through her phone. She didn't look up as she said

"We thought you weren't coming. Honestly, I would've preferred it."

I pulled out my chair and sat down. "I know."

The table was already half full. Aunts, cousins, the family lawyer Mr. Calloway who only ever appeared when money was being discussed.

Then the door opened and Nathaniel walked in and Sophia was on his arm.

I'd expected murmurs and questions but I wasn't surprised when the table stirred with welcome instead.

“Sophia!" Margaret rose slightly, arms open. "Darling you look wonderful.”

“Doesn't she," Ingrid finally put down her phone.

The smile formed on Sophia's face disgusted me though her eyes found mine for half a second before sliding away, Nathaniel didn't look at me all.

They sat across the table and one of the maids poured more champagne into everyone's glass.

Not long after the soup and main course Mr. Calloway cleared his throat.

"As you're all aware, the estate of your father Richard Hartford Milano is the matter at hand." He opened a leather folder. "The properties, the holdings, the HF Group shares. As per Richard's will, inheritance passes to the first male heir who can prove lineage through a child if no other relatives remain…

“Oh please, no need for the other information Mr Calloway, it's not like there are any other male successor after my father" Ingrid rolled her eyes

Margaret dabbed her mouth. "Which brings us back to the obvious. Nathaniel is the rightful successor. It only makes sense that everything passes to him”

The aunts and cousins murmured in agreement and I sat quietly, turning my wine glass slowly by the stem.

Of course Nathaniel's father had built that cause into the will deliberately, he never trusted his son to be mature enough to handle everything, not unless he could have managed to build a family for himself.

“The properties though, shouldn't idle," one of the aunts said “the longer this drags the worse it is for the Group."

“Give my brother time, he is already running the Group as its CEO and has shown everyone his capability.” Ingrid said flatly. “Infact he has secured a very large shareholder with the infamous Nova corporations”

Mrs Hartford then turned to me, her smile obviously forced. “Though I suppose we should acknowledge the elephant in the room" , tilting her head. “Three years Camilla . Three years and nothing to show for it."

The table went quiet in agreement and was waiting to see if I'd cry.

I looked at her calmly. “What exactly are you suggesting…. Mother?"

She twitched.

"That you are nothing but a liability.."

I set down my glass. “Then let's ask Nathaniel."

Every head turned to him and though I missed it, I could clearly see how tight his jaw was.

“Go on," I said. “Tell them why we don't have a child."

Sophia reached for his arm at that moment and he exhaled.

" Fine.” He straightened. "Since we're having this conversation." I watched his eyes move around the table with ease. “Sophia is pregnant. Three months."

The room erupted warmly.

"Oh my…."

"Finally…."

"Nathaniel congratulations…"

Of course no one would mind that it was clear that Nathaniel had been cheating on me for three months or more.

Mrs Hartford pressed her hand to her chest like she'd been given a gift and the rest of them had relief flushed across their faces.

It was how little I meant to them and first I thought I was the problem.

But then I never was.

I glanced at Sophia who refused to keep eye contact and then something crystalized in my chest.

I had left my father's house for this table.

I had left wealth, a name and a life that had been mine by birth.

I walked away from all of it for a man who had been sleeping with some wretch I called my best friend in our bed, who had blamed my body for his failure.

His mother who had never once called me by my name without venom attached.

His sister who had never seen me as anything more than an inconvenience.

His family lawyer who was here to divide property I had supported quietly for three years.

And Sophia…..

The thought of everything almost made me laugh.

I rose up slowly from where I sat, holding the glass of champagne above my head as all eyes moved to me.

"Congratulations." My voice came out smooth and unbothered. "Truly." I glanced at Sophia and then at Nathaniel. "And since we're making announcements—" I reached into my bag and placed the envelope on the table in front of him. "That's your copy of the divorce papers. I had them prepared this evening."

Dead silence.

"Camilla—" Nathaniel started. “this is just you overreacting because it changes nothing.”

"This marriage is over, Nathaniel. You should toast to that" I said simply "I won't be contesting anything. You can keep the apartment, that measly car, the leased furnitures. Consider it a parting gift."

Immediately, Mrs Hartford shot to her feet. "Now you listen here—"

"Please sit down Margaret." I turned to her making sure my voice didn't waver. "I have listened here for three years. I sat at this table and swallowed every insult you dressed up as concern and I smiled through all of it because I thought this family was worth it." I paused. "You want to hear the truth?"

I looked at Ingrid who had nothing to say for once.

Then at the uncles who were suddenly very interested in their plates.

Then at Mr. Calloway.

"All of you seated here are pathetic! And you might want to note that the Hartford heir problem isn't solved. It's just relocated."

I sipped from the glass, making sure my red lipstick made a mild stain on the brim of it.

"Enjoy your dinner."

Walking out of the dining room without rushing, my heels steady against the marble and the red dress doing exactly what I needed it to do.

I stopped outside the house, the night air hit me and I stood at the top of the front steps and breathed steadily before searching for my father's name in my phone.

My fingers hovered his name for half a second before I dialed it and watched it ring once.

"Three years?” He sighed " was wondering what was taking you so long"

His familiar calm voice broke something loose in me but I held myself together.

“Daddy," exhaling “I'm coming home."

There was a pause.

“I’ve been waiting for you, my girl”