Chapter Forty-ThreeCamilla’s POVMartha had arrived the day before and we were all excited. We didn’t talk much about what had happened while she was gone. It was a Monday and she got Rory ready for school and then I dropped her off and returned to the house.I didn’t have to go to work until 10am so I had a lot of time to get ready. I finished getting ready and I had a lot of time left so I decided to chat with Martha.“So he wants to be a part of her life?” She asked.“Yes.” I answered.“How would that work? You live in different cities.”“I really don’t know but we’ll figure that out.”We chatted for a while tge I looked at tge time and realized it was time for me to leave for work. “I’ll be on my way now. See you later.” I said and left the house.For the first few hours, I was at work, and for the remains part of the day, I went to visit the site we were working on.I was about to turn into the kitchen when I got hit by someone and got coffee spilled on my shirt.“What the hel
Chapter One Camilla ~~~~ After setting up the table I went upstairs to freshen up and wait for Raffael. It was our third anniversary and I made dinner. I also decorated the room with some flowers and scented candles. It was currently ten minutes past 10 and he still wasn’t back. I tried calling him but he wasn’t answering his phone. I called Anthony, his assistant but he also didn’t pick up the phone. It was getting really late but I was determined to stay awake till he came back. I went to make coffee so I could stay awake. “Ms Edwards I don’t think he’ll be back anytime soon. You should go to bed.” Martha, my housekeeper said with a pitiful expression on her face. “I’ll wait one more hour. You can go to bed.” I waved her off picking up my phone to try and call him again. “Not to overstep but you know he’s not coming back. Goodnight.” She said before retiring to her room. She wasn’t wrong. I knew he wasn’t coming back. At least not today. He’d probably show up tomo
Chapter Two Camilla ~•~ “What’s this?” I asked, feigning ignorance. “Open it.” He said.I opened the file he handed to me and brought the documents out. They were divorce papers.I flipped through them and let out a laugh but there was no humor in it.He turned around to leave and then said, “Sign those before I get back.”I laughed again. “I’m not signing these.”He turned back to me. “What do you mean you’re not signing it?”I threw the papers at his face. “I’m not signing it.”“Camilla, don’t be difficult. Sign the papers so we can go our separate ways. I’m tired of this.” He picked the papers up, arranged them, and handed them back to me.“Are you deaf? I’m not signing it. You’re going to divorce me and go be with Tori?”“This is not about Tori. It’s about us and the fact that we’ve been in a loveless marriage for three years.” “I love you Raffael. I’ve always loved you. Why won’t you love me back?” “Love you back?” He scoffed. “You and your grandfather forced me into this
Chapter Three Raffael ~~ I drove my car out of the compound looking at her through the rearview mirror as she watched me leave, looking defeated. She had refused to sign the papers claiming it was because of Tori. That was half true. I’d already planned to file for divorce months ago, Tori coming back was just the tip of the iceberg. Three years ago we got married because she liked me. She persuaded her grandfather to meet with my dad and organize an arranged marriage for us. My father, in a bid to save his failing company, had no choice but to agree. I only agreed to it because of my father but after he passed a year ago, I had no reason to be in a marriage where I didn’t love my wife. My mum and sister weren’t in support of our marriage so I had backup for the divorce. I drove to the hotel where Tori was staying. I parked at the underground parking and made my way to the elevator. I pressed the button to go up to the fifth floor and made my way to her suite. “Tori?” I cal
Chapter Four Raffael ~~~ I looked at her in disbelief. She had just slapped me for saying the kiss was a mistake. I took a deep breath. “Look, I don’t know how those pictures and videos got out.” “I don’t want to hear any of that. Get rid of them before tomorrow. Grandpa shouldn’t find out about it.” She said then went to the bathroom to freshen up. She was right. I picked up my phone and called Tori. “Have you seen the news?” I asked. “Yes, the media is brutal, the headlines are crazy.” “That’s not what this is about. I don’t think we should see each other for now.” “But-” She tried to complain. I interrupted her. “But nothing. I’ll call you when everything dies down.” I let out before hanging up the phone. One of the guards called me and told me there were reporters outside the gate. I looked at the CCTV and sure enough, there were many reporters outside the gate. I ordered the guards to get rid of them and send them away. I was about to go to the office. I didn’t m
Chapter Five Camilla ~~~ The last forty-eight hours have been hell for me. My name had been on the lips of everyone. The media had been putting out the most outrageous news about me. I woke up this morning, deciding to block out any negativity. I showered and then went downstairs to eat my breakfast. Raffael came downstairs and sat at the other end of the table. “Good morning.” He said as he sat down. I didn’t give him a reply. I looked up at him and saw that the handprint from the slap I gave him was gone. Thank God. I wouldn’t know how to explain that to my grandfather. “Grandpa called, he wants us to go to his house after you meet with the shareholders,” I said. “How did you know I have a meeting with the shareholders?” He asked. I merely stared at him and ignored him. I was done with my food so I left the table and went back upstairs. I picked up the phone and texted Skye. I was really thankful for her. She was the only person I had apart from my grandfather and Raffael.
Chapter SixCamilla~~~~~ “Don’t tell him you gave me divorce papers. He shouldn’t even know that you thought about getting divorced. Tell him you’re going to make everything right at the press conference.” I said when we got out of the car and were walking to the front door. We got to the door and the guards standing by the door opened it for us. My grandpa and his secretary were already downstairs. “Lala.” My grandpa said, smiling widely as he saw me. “How are you?” He asked coming to hug me. “I’m doing good Pops, how are you?” I asked. “Your old man’s fine.” He said with a big smile. “Raffael.” He said extending his hand for a shake. They exchanged pleasantries and we got seated. “So, how’s business going Raffael?” Grandpa asked. “It’s good.” He said shuffling in his seat.” I just closed a deal with Mr Smith.” “That’s good.” “Dinner’s ready.” Hailey, one of the helps announced.” “We’ll be right there.” My grandpa said Camilla her off. “We’ll talk later. Let’s go have d
Chapter SevenRaffael ~~~~“Camilla. What was that about?” I asked immediately after I got in the house.“Leave me alone Raffael.” She said attempting to go upstairs.I dragged her back. “You slapped her in public?”“What was I supposed to do huh? She kept provoking me and disrespecting me. Was I supposed to just stand there and watch her?”“Were you stalking her?” I asked. “You sent someone to follow her around so you could watch her every move and then you went to meet her?”“What the fuck Raffael. You think I would do that?”“I mean who knows what your pathetic self is capable of.” I shrugged.She stood still taking deep breaths trying to hold back tears.“Fuck you.” She said and then ran upstairs.“Fuck.” I said kicking the couch. I took a deep breath and then went upstairs to the guest room. I took off my clothes and then went into the shower.I got out a few minutes later and then dressed up. I took my car keys and left the house.I drove aimlessly for hours thinking about ever
Chapter Forty-ThreeCamilla’s POVMartha had arrived the day before and we were all excited. We didn’t talk much about what had happened while she was gone. It was a Monday and she got Rory ready for school and then I dropped her off and returned to the house.I didn’t have to go to work until 10am so I had a lot of time to get ready. I finished getting ready and I had a lot of time left so I decided to chat with Martha.“So he wants to be a part of her life?” She asked.“Yes.” I answered.“How would that work? You live in different cities.”“I really don’t know but we’ll figure that out.”We chatted for a while tge I looked at tge time and realized it was time for me to leave for work. “I’ll be on my way now. See you later.” I said and left the house.For the first few hours, I was at work, and for the remains part of the day, I went to visit the site we were working on.I was about to turn into the kitchen when I got hit by someone and got coffee spilled on my shirt.“What the hel
Chapter Forty-TwoRaphael's POVThe next morning, Jason and I got ready for the day and I dropped him off at my mom's house before going to work. I didn’t have much to do at work so I finished up pretty early. I then told Anthony to take me to the hotel Tori was staying at.We got there and went up to the room. I knocked on the door several times but I didn’t get an answer. I had a key but I wanted her to open the door herself.After about three minutes, I was still waiting for her to open it so I decided to use the key I had. I walked in and closed the door behind me. “Tori.” I called out. “Are you in here?” I didn’t get a reply back.It was a suite so I checked the room and the kitchen but I couldn’t find her. The receptionist said that she hadn’t checked out.I remembered that I hadn’t checked the bathroom so I went there and I saw her passed out on the floor.I bent down beside her. “Tori.” I said shaking her.I looked around and saw a bottle of pills lying on the floor. I tried
Chapter Forty-One Camilla's POV The night Raphael left was pretty rough. After he was gone, Rory resumed crying. We managed to calm her down, get her ready for bed, and put her to sleep. She woke up in the middle of the night crying for him. I couldn’t understand how she had gotten attached in such a short time. I put her back to sleep and stayed with her the rest of the night. The next morning we woke up and prepared for Skye and my Grandpa to leave. I had to tell her that they were going to leave and she started crying again. She went for a walk with my Grandpa while Skye and I were making some last-minute arrangements. “Rory’s pretty devastated.” Skye said while we were packing her suitcase. “I know. And I can’t understand it. I understand her crying cause you guys are leaving but I didn’t expect her to cry for Raphael. She got so attached to him in a short amount of time.” “She’s never felt how it was to have a dad and she finally got it. She’s a little girl but she’s als
Chapter FortyRaphael's POVAfter six hours, we finally landed in New York and I went to pick up my luggage and waited for the driver to arrive.After a few minutes, he arrived and I got in the car. My assistant was there too.“How are you doing?” I asked.“I'm good, sir.” He replied. “There's a problem.”“What is it?”“Tori is in police custody.”“What? Why?”“She was caught stealing from a mall. She called me and asked me to relay the message to you.”I sighed. “Take me to where she is.”He instructed the driver to take us to the station. I couldn't believe that she was arrested. What a disappointment. I turned on my phone and of course, it was all over the news.Everybody was making mention of Jason, our son, and how they felt sorry for him. After I left her, she became more of a mess than she already was. She started using and got addicted. I've tried to get her help but she doesn't want it.We reached the station and we were led inside. We talked to the policemen and then bailed
Chapter Thirty-NineCamilla's POVAfter Raphael and Rory left, I and Skye went to do some shopping. She and my Grandpa will be going back to New York tomorrow.We first went to the mall to get some clothes and random things that Skye wanted to take back to New York. We also got some things for my Grandpa and Rory. I knew Raphael was going to leave today. I was thinking of getting him something but I didn’t want to do too much.After we were done shopping, we went to get food. We just ordered regular burgers and went to find a place to sit.We were on our phones while waiting for our order to arrive me Skye let out a gasp.“What is it?” I asked. She didn’t reply to me immediately but kept scrolling on her phone and her mouth opened in shock. “Skye, what is it?”“It’s about Tori.”“What about her?”“You won’t believe this. She was caught stealing.”“Stealing? That’s a lie. From where?”“From a mall. She got caught with a dress in her bag.”“Oh my God. That’s awful.” I said and Skye gav
Chapter Thirty-EightRaphael’s POVIt was the day of the dance and Aurora and I had spent all of last night practicing our dance moves. The dance started at 2:00 pm and it was currently 11:02 am. I was on my way to their house.When I arrived, Camilla was doing Rory’s hair while Skye was steaming her dress. The chairman wasn’t at home.“Hey daddy.” Aurora said.“Hi, baby. Your hair is looking beautiful.”“Thank you.” She laughed. “I’m going to be the prettiest girl at the dance.”“You sure are.”“Hey.” Camilla said.“How are you?” I asked.“I’m good.” She replied. I went to drop my suit in the living room and came back to the dining.I sat on one of the chairs and after a few minutes, Skye was done with the dress and Camilla was done with Aurora's hair. “It looks really pretty.” I said.“Thank you, daddy.”We still had about two hours before the dance started. “What are we going to do for the next couple of hours before the dance starts?” I asked.“I guess we could watch a movie or
Chapter Thirty-Seven Camilla's POV After Raphael left, I wasn't in the mood to talk to anybody so I went and locked myself up in my room. Skye got Rory ready for bed and they all stayed up watching TV till 8:30 and went to bed. After they went to bed I came out for a glass of water. I spent a little time in the kitchen and when I was about to leave, I saw Skye coming out of the room. “I thought you were already asleep?” I asked. “I came for a glass of water. But I'm glad I ran into you.” “Why?” “I wanted to talk to you about Raphael.” She said and sat on a chair. “What about him?” “Look at the way you treat him, Camilla. You act like he's going to take Rory and sell her off. Give him some grace. I know you're hurt but for Rory’s sake please.” “But.” She interrupted me. “I know he hurt you. He's trying to make amends. If you would just let him.” “I’m trying to forgive him but I just can’t. Every time I think to be nice I just remember that morning he came hom
Chapter Thirty-SixRaphael’s POV“Mummy, look. Daddy got a necklace for me.” Aurora said as soon as Camilla came out of the kitchen.I scanned her face and from her expression, I could tell something was wrong.“Really? Let me see.” She said and took the necklace from her. She looked at it for a good minute.“It’s really pretty, mommy.” Aurora said.“Yes, it is baby.” She replied and handed it back to her. “Thank you.” She said to me.“It’s nothing. She’s my daughter after all.”“I want to put it on.” Aurora said.“Come here. Let me help you.” I said and she ran to me.“You guys are having fun without me.” The chairman said coming into the living room.“Pops. How are you?” Aurora said going to hug him. “You’ve been sleeping.”“I’m fine, Rory. I was tired. How are you? How was school?” “School was fine. Look at the necklace my daddy got me.” She said and showed him the pendant.“It’s really beautiful.” He said.“I know right.” She replied and ran off.“How are you doing?” The chairman
Chapter Thirty-FiveCamilla's POV“Aren’t you coming to eat?” O asked Raphael on my way to the dining room.“I am.” He said and stood up, following behind me.Skye served the food and we said grace and went on to eat.The table wasn’t this silent as either Rory or I had something to say. I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t feel that comfortable talking with Raphael around. I didn’t know why Rory wasn’t saying anything.“Rory, how was school today?” Skye asked.“School was good. We learned a lot today and our teacher gave us more time for recess.” She said concentrating on her food.“That's great. Camilla, how was work?” She turned to me.“It was fine. Had a lot of work to do today. There are only a few people at the office right now and I’m in charge so it was a bit stressful.”“You’ve got this. It’s only for a few weeks too.” Skye said. “How was your day, Raphael?” I didn't expect her to ask him but it would have been weird if she asked everyone but him.“Uhm, my day was f