Chapter nine

Henry POV

Shit! I exclaimed, what I was avoiding already happened. Camelia was standing right before me.

“That's the bitch!” Lydia screamed, her voice cutting through the room like a sharp blade. She scanned Camelia from head to toe, her eyes narrowing with disgust. “You look somewhat different from the last time I saw you,” Did you actually try to clean up? Cute... but it's pointless” She snapped.

“Who is she?” Mrs. Raymond's voice rang out.

“She's my wife,” I replied bluntly, bracing myself for the storm I knew would follow.

She let out a harsh, sarcastic laugh that grated against my nerves. “Wife? This must be a sick joke!.” Her eyes flashed with disbelief as she stepped closer. “Do you honestly think placing a ring on her damn finger would make her your wife?” She asked, staring at Camelia's hand, “You should know better by now, Henry. Lydia is the only girl you can marry and is acceptable by me and the family. So you better stop this child's play.”

I clenched my fists at my sides, my gaze flicking between my mother and Camelia. Camelia stood still, her face calm but her hands slightly trembling. I knew she was holding back her emotions.

“Mother,” I started, trying to keep my voice steady, “I chose Camelia because I want her. Lydia may be what you want, but she's not what I need. Camelia is my wife, and that's final.”

“You chose her?” Mrs. Raymond scoffed. “What would your father say about this?”

“Grow up, Henry!” She said turning to Camelia, with her eyes narrowing. “And you... don't think this makes you part of this family. You're nothing but a passing distraction.”

Camelia's face hardened, and she finally spoke. “I may not have your approval, Mrs. Raymond, but Henry and I need each other”.

I wondered where she got the courage from. I wasn't expecting Camelia to say anything.

“How dare you!” Lydia shrieked. “You think you can waltz in here and take my place? Henry belongs to me!”

“I belong to no one,” I said firmly, meeting her glare. “I chose Camelia. That's all there is to it.”

For a moment, silence filled the room — heavy, suffocating. Then Lydia’s lips curled into a smirk.

“I hope all I just said is clear to you,” Lydia sneered. “Henry and I are engaged, and we're getting married. Whatever game you think you're playing should end.”

She stepped forward, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. “Let me properly introduce myself,” Lydia said, her smile cold. “I'm Lydia Dutchman, Henry's fiancée.” She moved closer to where I was standing and deliberately placed a quick kiss against my cheek, her eyes flicking towards Camelia.

“Mother, I think she’s gotten the message,” she said, grabbing her bag. She always calls her that.

“I can't stand being in the same room with some classless... distraction” she added.

Lydia turned back to me, her smile widening. “Henry, my father invited your family for dinner this evening at 8 p.m. You know how he hates delays.”

“I'll put on something sexy just for you..she said, placing her hands on my chest but I grabbed them and pulled them away, she glared at me and bit her lips. “We will see tonight,” Lydia added, turning sharply on her heel.

Do you even talk to your brother at all?” Mrs. Raymond asked.

I shifted uncomfortably. “We haven't talked in a while,” I replied.

“I don't know if he told you, but he'll be coming back from Thailand next week,” she added.

“Alright,” I said flatly.

Mrs. Raymond's eyes narrowed. “Aren't you excited he's coming back?”

I forced a shrug. “Yes, I am,” I muttered, barely convincing myself.

Excited? How could I be? After all the drama they stirred up, leaving poor Camelia shocked and confused. As much as I wanted to use her to escape this marriage, I didn’t want her to suffer because of it.

As Mrs. Raymond and Lydia finally headed out, reaching where Camelia was standing. She stepped aside to let them pass, but Lydia suddenly stumbled — or rather, pretended to stumble — and fell to the floor.

I wasn’t surprised. Lydia had plenty of mischievous tricks up her sleeve. She even managed a soft smile as she lingered on the ground, clearly enjoying the attention.

“And why did you push me?” Lydia snapped, frowning at Camelia as Mrs. Raymond rushed to help her up.

“Sorry, my dear,” Mrs. Raymond cooed, steadying Lydia on her feet.

“But... I didn’t push you,” Camelia protested, her voice small but firm.

Mrs. Raymond gave her a sharp look. “Are you saying Lydia’s lying? And why would she?”

“But she didn't push you,” I added curtly.

Lydia brushed off her clothes with exaggerated annoyance. "I'm sick of this place already," she muttered before stomping toward the door.

“What a thing you’ve got there,” Mrs Raymond sneered before disappearing outside, following Lydia behind.

******

“Hey... are you okay?” I asked as I approached Camelia. She stood quietly, her expression unreadable.

“Yes, I’m fine,” she replied calmly.

“Don't mind Lydia; she's only bluffing.”

Camelia let out a dry chuckle. “I'll definitely mind her at this point. That’s exactly what you said last time... without ever explaining what kind of relationship you two actually have.”

I sighed. “Camelia, if you want to talk about Lydia, I have no problem with that. But just so you know, there’s nothing going on between us — and there never will be.”

She gave a faint smile. “I actually came by to say hello since you asked me to come around. I didn’t know you already had company,” she said, her voice low.

“I'm sorry about what happened,” I said, feeling a wave of guilt. “I didn’t know they’d show up. There was no prior notice, and honestly... I’ve been ignoring their calls because I didn’t want their drama. I had no idea they’d pull something like this.”

“It's alright,” she murmured.

“I tried reaching out to you earlier,” I added, but then I realized... I don’t have your number. Can you give it to me?”

Camelia hesitated, her fingers brushing against her skirt. “I... I don’t have a phone,” she stuttered.

“Really?” My eyes widened.

“Yeah,” she said softly.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” I asked, tapping my fingers on the desk. “You should’ve told me.”

“I didn’t want to bother you,” she said with a faint shrug.

“I'll tell Gabriel to get you one. Any specific model you’d like?”

“Not at all,” she said quickly. “Anything would be just fine.” “Alright then,” I replied.

She shifted her weight as if uncertain about what to say next. “I should get going now,” she said quietly.

“Uhmmm... Camelia?” I called before she could leave. “I’ll be coming home a bit late today. I need to stop at Lydia’s father’s place for dinner.”

“Okay,” she said curtly, then turned and walked away.

It wasn’t until she was out the door that it hit me — Camelia rarely asked for anything, even when she clearly needed it. The thought of giving her one of my cards crossed my mind. Without wasting time, I grabbed one from my wallet and hurried after her.

But just as I stepped outside, I froze.

A man stood there, his arms wrapped tightly around Camelia.