Chapter 15
“I have nothing left to lose. What do I have to be afraid of?” Camila asked.
Harry’s gaze bore into her, dark and unyielding, but Camila didn’t flinch. For the first time, she met his eyes without hesitation, her defiance cutting like a blade.
And for the first time, he saw it–hatred. He thought. She actually hates me?”
The Camila he remembered had always been obedient, gentle, utterly devoted to him. She had followed his every word. tiptoeing around his moods, always putting his feelings first.
For three years, he had gotten used to her silent admiration, to the way she had looked at him like he was the center of her world.
And now? Now, she looked at him as if he were nothing more than filth. He couldn’t accept it.
He had gone against William for her–knowing full well that William was Agnes’s fiance. He had even put Agnes in a difficult position because of it. He had risked everything.
And yet, he wondered, ‘She is still unsatisfied? His voice dropped to a cold, dangerous register. “Camila” He practically spar out her name. If you try to
run again, I’ll fire Hazel.
Camila’s heart clenched. Hazel was the only person in the Jackson family who had ever shown her kindness. If she lost her job because of this, Camila would never forgive herself.
Her fingers curled into fists, nails digging into her palms, but she forced herself to remain composed.
“She’s
your maid. You can do whatever you want. What does that have to do with me?” she said, thinking. If I act like I don’t care, maybe just maybe–Hazel would be safe.
But Harry’s lips curled into a sneer. “Oh? Then I won’t just fire Hazel–I’ll also have her daughter expelled from school.”
Camila’s breath caught. Hazel’s daughter, Lucy Clark, was in her second year of university,
Five years ago, when Lucy was still in junior high, she had once biked through a torrential downpour just to deliver Camila’s SATS admission ticket. The roads had been slippery, and she had fallen, breaking her right hand–almost missing her own.
exams
When Camila finally returned home after her exams, Hazel had told her that someone had thrown her ticket into the trash. Had she not found it in time, it would have been hauled away with the garbage.
Camila owed Hazel and Lucy too much already. If her actions caused them to lose their livelihood and education… that would be worse than death.
Her entire body tensed, but the rage inside her was quickly reaching its breaking point.
Seeing her remain silent, Harry assumed she was still resisting. His voice turned cruel. I heard Lucy is an excellent student. always at the top of her class, earning scholarships. Imagine if she were suddenly expelled-
The crisp sound of a slap rang through the car, cutting him off. His head snapped violently to the side. From the rearview mirror, Michael’s eyes widened in shock, He thought, “Did Camila just slap Harry?
He never would have believed something this ridiculous could happen–but it had, right in front of him.
For so long, he had thought Camila was nothing more than a meek little thing, always submitting without a fight. But it turned out even a rabbit could bite when cornered
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Chapter 15
Amused, he let out a slow, lazy chuckle. Harry, does it hurt?”
Harry’s expression darkened, his face stormy and unreadable.
The slap hadn’t been strong–her body was frail, weakened from exhaustion and hunger. The physical pain was nothing. But this wasn’t about pain. She had hit him. She had disobeyed him.
Harry’s fury exploded. His eyes turned bloodshot as he lunged forward, his hands wrapping around Camila’s throat like a steel trap. With brute force, he shoved her back into the seat, pinning her in place.
Camila felt a searing pain around her throat. Her breathing grew labored, her lungs burning as if they were about to burst. Every inhale became a desperate struggle, her vision darkening as her face turned an alarming shade of purple.
Michael clicked his tongue. “Harry, let go. If you keep this up, you’re going to kill her.”
“Then let her die.” Harry spat out the words, but his grip loosened slightly.
Michael leaned back, clearly unfazed, “Fine Just don’t let her die in my car–I hate dealing with bad luck.”
With a violent shove, Harry released her.
Camila collapsed onto the seat like a rag doll, her body wracked with violent coughs as she gasped for air.
His gaze was razor–sharp, filled with fury. “Listen carefully–this is the last time you defy me. If you pull something like this again, Hazel and her daughter will suffer consequences far worse than you can imagine.”
His voice was like steel, echoing through the confined space of the car.
Camila lowered her gaze, suppressing the disgust burning inside her.
The rest of the drive was silent. An hour later, they arrived at the Jackson family.
As soon as she stepped out of the car, Belinda rushed toward her, reaching for her hand.
Camila jerked away instantly, as if burned.
For a moment, an awkward silence settled between them. Belinda’s outstretched hand hovered in midair before she quickly regained her composure, her expression softening into one of concern.
‘Camila, why are you so stubborn? Your father was just angry–he didn’t mean what he said. You shouldn’t take Do you have any idea how worried I was?” Belinda said.
Agnes hurried over, clinging to Belinda’s arm as she chimed in sweetly, “Camila, you really scared us
it to heart.
Camila remained silent, her expression unreadable. She waited until they were done speaking, then turned and walked straight into the house without a word.
Her complete indifference sent Harry’s anger into a spiral. His voice thundered behind her. “Camila, stop right there! Mom and Agnes are worried about you–can’t you see that?”
Camila did stop and turn back, her gaze flicked to Belinda and Agnes. Their hair was still damp, their silk pajamas pristine.
A sharp simile rugged at her lips. “Tell me, were you worried about me while you were taking a bath, or while you were getting ready for bed?”
It was obvious. The moment she had left, they had showered and prepared to sleep. She wondered, “Where is this so–called
The air turned thick with silence.
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Chapter 15
Belinda averted her eyes, guilt thishing across her face.
Harry stiffened, his mouth opening as if to argue, but no words came.
Camila had long since seen through their hypocrisy. Tonight’s little performance didn’t surprise her. Without another glance at them, she stepped inside the villa and shut the door behind her
As the night deepened, Harry lay in his massive bed, staring at the ceiling. No matter how much he tossed and turned, sleep refused to come.
After struggling with his thoughts for what felt like an eternity, he finally got up, threw on a robe, and made his way downstairs. He stopped outside Camila’s storage room.
That was what it was. Not a bedroom–just a glorified storage closet. Even a family dog had a better sleeping arrangement.
Standing at the door, he hesitated, his fingers twitching slightly. He wanted to knock, but something held him back. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to leave either.
He lingered there for half an hour, unmoving. Only when a familiar sharp pain twisted in his stomach, a reminder of his chronic gastritis, did he finally turn and walk away.
The next morning, Camila actually felt well–rested..
Maybe it was the exhaustion from the previous night. Or maybe, now that she was no longer in prison, her nerves had finally begun to relax.
The Jackson family, on the other hand, looked terrible. Dark circles lined Harry’s eyes–he had clearly barely slept.
At the dining table, the entire family sat together.
Arthur’s voice was stern. “Camila, the driver will take you to Sancho Mercy Hospital later. As long as you show William your sincerity, he won’t make things difficult for you. He might even agree to continue working with the Jackson Group.”
Camila lowered her gaze, staring blankly at the table, neither agreeing nor objecting.
Her silence ignited Arthur’s temper. His voice rose sharply. “Are you mute now?”
Belinda quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Let’s eat first. We can talk after breakfast.”
The morning meal was regular. The maids carefully set down plates of food in front of Arthur, Belinda, Harry, and Agnes. Only one place was left empty, Camila’s.
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