Chapter 3

Although the money I earned couldn't compare to even a fraction of what Camille gave me, I could spend it with a clear conscience, and that was enough.

I had initially managed to save quite a bit. But when I found out Camille was going to marry me, I emptied my savings to buy this suit so I could be worthy of her.

It turned out she'd only been playing with me.

Now my bank account was so empty that I couldn't even afford a plane ticket.

I accepted the part-time job, then washed up and went to bed.

…

The next morning, I opened my door and stepped into the hallway just as Christopher emerged from Camille's bedroom, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

He seemed to have forgotten everything that had happened the night before and greeted me warmly.

Just then, Camille approached with two cups of warm milk.

When our eyes met, a flicker of guilt crossed her face before she explained, "Christopher is having some issues with his family, so he'll be staying here for a while.

"He's been picky since he was a child and can't sleep well in a guest room, so I let him have my bedroom."

I responded casually, unable to understand why she felt the need to explain any of this to me.

Before I could make sense of it, Camille offered me a cup of warm milk.

Beside me, Christopher had already taken his. He smiled at Camille and said, "Camille, you're still the best to me. Ten years have passed, and you still remember all my little habits."

So that was it.

Camille didn't have a habit of drinking milk in the morning. And with her pride, she would never go out of her way to do something as trivial as warming milk for me.

Apparently, I had Christopher to thank for the unexpected consideration. The fact that Camille had warmed an extra cup for me was already more than I could have expected.

I waved it away to show that I didn't want it, and Camille didn't insist. "Christopher, I'll have the maids clear out my bedroom. You can move in there."

Christopher didn't answer. Instead, he leaned against my doorway and peered into my room. "Camille, I want to stay in this room. Is that okay?"

Camille barely gave it a thought before agreeing. "Sure. This room, then. There are plenty of guest rooms. It doesn't matter which one Oliver sleeps in."

Only after they'd already made the decision did Christopher put on a show of asking for my opinion. "Sorry. I completely forgot to ask if you were okay with it."

I shrugged. "I don't mind."

I was leaving anyway, so it didn't matter where I slept. Besides, this was Camille's house. What right did I have to make decisions about anything here?

I turned and headed downstairs.

Camille hurried after me, apparently intending to explain further. "Oliver, Christopher is only staying temporarily. You—"

Before she could finish, Christopher suddenly groaned from behind us. "Camille, my head hurts so badly. It must be because I drank too much last night."

Whatever else she'd intended to say to me was instantly forgotten.

She hurried back to support him and wiped the sweat from his forehead with obvious concern. "Ugh. You can't even hold your liquor. Why did you have to go crazy and drink so much last night?"

Christopher leaned against Camille's shoulder and looked at me, undisguised mockery filling his eyes.

I ignored him, left the house, and headed straight to the address I'd been given for work.

Once I arrived, I changed into my uniform in the dressing room and put on the standard mask and cap.

All the part-time workers lined up together, and the restaurant manager put us through two hours of emergency training.

He repeatedly reminded us, "This isn't the first time any of you have worked with us, so you all know the rules, right?

"Today's event is a welcome-back banquet for a wealthy heiress' boyfriend, who has just returned to the country. Make sure you take excellent care of them."

The manager repeatedly stressed just how wealthy and demanding the guests were. If we managed to satisfy them, the tips alone could amount to several months' wages.

Once the training ended, we followed the regular staff into the banquet hall and began carrying out the dishes one after another.