Chapter 1: Camilla

"Ma'am watch where you're going!" A voice snapped at Camilla, pulling her out of her daydream.

She whipped around, her gaze falling on the irritated customer she almost ran into. The man glared at her before turning away, pulling his cart along with him.

"Sorry." Camilla muttered, even when she knew he wouldn't hear her. Sighing softly, she pushed her own cart towards the counter, yawning tiredly and rubbing her eyes.

While she waited for her turn to pay, her eyelids drooped sleepily.

If she could just get a few hours of undisturbed sleep, she would feel much better. But that was a luxury she knew she wouldn't get.

Her mother-in-law had barged into her room that morning before the sun crawled up. In her high pitched voice, she ordered Camilla to get up and prepare breakfast for the entire family, because they would be having an important guest.

As usual Nick, her husband, didn't say a word to stop his mother. He had never defended her nor taken her side whenever she was being mistreated, so it didn't come as a surprise.

Camilla had been up on her feet since sunrise, and without having a moment's rest, she had driven out for grocery shopping.

It was midmorning already and her tired legs were protesting from the stress.

It finally got to her turn and she pushed the cart up to the front of the counter.

"Hello again, Miss Rosenberg." The cashier, a petite redhead, called out to her.

Camilla smiled in response and slowly offloaded the cart. She didn't try to correct the cashier because no one knew she was married. No one knew she was Mrs Sinclair.

Her marriage with Nick had been extremely private, and not even the press knew about it.

Of course it had to be private. Why would the rich and handsome Nick Sinclair let the world know he was married to a commoner like her? It would be a large stain on his reputation. Besides, their marriage had been arranged, done in private like it was a crime.

Camilla remembered when the news reached her, that she would be getting married to Nick Sinclair, the owner of one of the largest clothing line in New York. It had been like a dream come true, until she realized that it was an arranged marriage.

She and Nick had been married for three years, and she still didn't know why she had been chosen to marry him. All she remembered was her father telling her that it was for the best.

"Miss Rosenberg."

For the second time that morning, Camilla snapped out of her thoughts. Her gaze refocused and she smiled apologetically at the cashier.

"I'm sorry Kathy. I keep zoning out." She murmured.

"Are you alright? You look a little pale." Kathy said worriedly, pushing the packaged groceries towards Camilla.

"I'm fine, just tired." Camilla said with a smile. She grabbed the bags and quickly opened her wallet. "How much do I owe you?"

"That's eighty five dollars, twenty cents."

Camilla counted out the bills and dropped it into Kathy's outstretched hands.

Kathy dropped the cash in the register, but her worried gaze remained on Camilla.

"Are you sure you're alright? Maybe you need some rest." She said in concern.

"I'll get some rest once I get home." Camilla said with a smile. Without another word, she picked up her bags and walked towards her car.

As she drove home, her thoughts strayed again, going over the three years she had spent with Nick.

She remembered it like yesterday, the moment they exchanged their wedding vows before a priest. The wedding had been dry and uneventful, with Nick's mother, his sister and her own father being the only witnesses.

And when the priest had pronounced them husband and wife, Nick had pulled her closer and whispered in her ears.

"Woman, I hope you know what you've gotten yourself into."

His words had confused her, and before she could inquire what he meant, he pressed his lips on hers. The wedding had ended abruptly and that was the last time she saw her father.

A year later, she received news of his death. He had died of a heart attack and Camilla had buried him, all alone. Not even Nick or her mother-in-law showed up. Her father was the last living family she had, and with his death, she was all alone.

Two years had gone by, but the pain remained etched in her heart. She wiped the tears that gathered in her eyes and focused her attention on the road, yet her thoughts continued to plague her.

She knew Nick didn't love her. He had made it clear from the beginning that she shouldn't expect love or affection from him, that he only married her because of her father.

Camilla had no idea what he meant by that, and the only person she could have asked was dead.

She wanted to leave the marriage countless times, but thoughts of where she would go stopped her. She had no one, no place to call her home. So she stayed, enduring all the abuse and ridicule from Nick and his family.

There was even a time she hoped Nick would grow to love her someday. She tried all she could to be the perfect wife for him. She cooked his meals, did his laundry, attended to him obediently.

And in doing so, she fell hopelessly in love with him.

Yet it was all in vain. Nick never returned her love. Even when he knew she had fallen for him, he treated her like trash. He didn't even touch her, all through the three years they were married. There was never an intimate moment between them.

But it didn't stop her from loving him with all her heart. It didn't stop her from clinging to blind hope that he would love her someday.

A car honked loudly and she slammed her foot hard on the brakes. She then realized that she almost missed the turn that would take her to Nick's mansion.

She drove through the driveway and eased the car into the parking lot. The moment she stepped down with the groceries, she paused.

A frown ruffled her brows when she saw the unfamiliar car parked in the driveway. Her mother-in-law had mentioned an important guest coming over later. Could it be they were here already?

She stepped up to the front porch and pushed the door open.

And she froze.

Nick was standing in the grand hallway, holding a woman in his arms. His mother and sister, Cecilia, stood beside him, smiling and conversing with the strange woman.

Camilla's gaze lowered to the toddler cradled in Cecilia's arms, a little girl who bore a strong resemblance to the strange woman.

Then her eyes snapped back to Nick and her heart shook as she watched his face. He was staring at the woman like his whole life revolved around her.

He had never stared at her that way.

Unable to withstand being ignored, she walked further into the hallway and slammed the door behind her.

"What's going on here?"

The woman turned and Camilla was struck by how beautiful she was. Her emerald eyes blinked prettily and she had a mane of dark blonde hair framing her face.

Before anyone could answer, Nick's mother snapped at her.

"How dare you stand there and question my son?"

"Mother, please not in front of Barbara." Nick's voice was low and deep, yet he didn't spare a single glance at Camilla.

"Take the bags into the kitchen. Now!" Mrs Sinclair ordered.

But Camilla totally ignored her. The bags of grocery dropped from her grip and she took a step forward.

"Nick, who is this woman?"

Nick glared at her, clearly annoyed. But he didn't say a word. Barbara took his hand and smiled coldly at Camilla.

"You must be Camilla. I'm Barbara, the mother of Nick's child."