Rob was Nerissa's friend. His grandparents lived on the compound. After he had been beaten up, he was too embarrassed to go home to his parents. So, he came over the night before. While Blaire was out on a walk upstairs last night, she happened to run into him. He looked like a complete wreck.At the time, she wondered who could have done such a thing. He was black and blue all over. She hadn't expected the culprit to be her own daughter.Blaire was still in shock from the revelation that her daughter had knocked down a muscular, six-foot-tall man when Wilfred Yorksworth's booming voice reverberated through the air."All you do is cause trouble. What else can you do besides that? Get in here this instant!"Wilfred was a military man who was strict and serious. Even though he was getting on his years, his voice still carried authority. Her husband's anger prompted Blaire to usher Cameron inside.Wilfred was sitting on the couch, leveling a sharp gaze at her. His brows, as usual,
"What gives me the right to hit her? I'm her father. Why wouldn't I have the right to do so?"Wilfred adopted the posture he used to reprimand new recruits in the army."Look at her. She's never satisfied. She acts like the world owes her something. She should see how kids living outside of civilization live. She's got it a thousand times better than them. What more does she want?""At least they wouldn't raise their biological daughters as adopted daughters outside of civilization," Cameron said.Her words were like a pause button. All the voices in the living room died down once she said her piece.Blaire stared at her. "Cameron…"She probably hadn't expected Cameron to know about it. She was so shocked that her tone changed.Before she could get another word out, she remembered that Nerissa was still watching from the sidelines. So, she forcibly choked back a reply and smiled stiffly. "Did you misunderstand something because of someone's gossip, Cammie? We can talk about th
Cameron didn't say anything more. After pulling her hand away, she walked straight past Cade. Once she stepped out of the courtyard, the streets slowly regained their liveliness. Many people were out on a post-dinner stroll, walking in pairs or groups with relaxed and contented expressions on their faces. The road was bustling with traffic. The neon lights lining the streets highlighted the city's splendor.She thought about the time she was first brought to the Yorksworth home. Wilfred and Blaire had gone to town to pick her up in person. It had also been at this time of day when she first set foot in the big city. She felt like an alien seeing the world for the first time. Her eyes were bright with curiosity.The door to the Yorksworth home slowly opened. Inside, a group of boys and girls were chatting. They were dressed in the most popular clothes of the season, making them appear glamorous. On the other hand, Cameron's clothes were faded and misshapen. Her sleeves and tro
Someone violently kicked open the bathroom door. Cade strode up to the tub and fished Cameron out of the water. His expression was as cold as ice."Have you lost your mind, Cameron? Pick a better place to die."Cameron gasped for breath. It took her a while for her vision to finally come into focus, but she was immediately greeted by the sight of Cade's furious expression. She glanced at the bathtub, but the woman was nowhere to be found. The water was also crystal clear. She let go of Cade's waist, her wet eyelashes fluttering downward. Her voice was hoarse as she spoke."I fell asleep." Then, she frowned. "I'm taking a bath. Why did you barge in?""Hah." Cade let out an exasperated laugh at her quip. "If I hadn't barged in, I'd be buying you a gravesite now."He had knocked on the door several times. It was Cameron's lack of response that made him kick it open."I don't intend to die." Even if she did, she would drag everyone to hell with her before perishing.Cameron unabas
Cade looked at Cameron as if she were a brainless idiot. There was contempt written on each of his features. He walked past her and went straight downstairs. When Cameron arrived downstairs, she saw that Diane had prepared two bowls of chicken noodle soup. Cade, who had a spoon in hand, was already eating. She got to her seat and sat down. Carrots, celery, and chicken floated in the broth with fresh parsley leaves sprinkled over top. It was an appetizing sight. The fragrance of the soup wafted up from the bowl.With how hot the food was, she absentmindedly stirred her soup. There was no telling what was on her mind. Her unfocused gaze swept across the dining room before finally settling on Cade."You haven't had dinner?""Mhm.""Do you like Nerissa?"The Carters had moved out of the neighborhood several years ago, which meant that the two families were no longer down the street from one another. However, there was no doubt that Nerissa was involved with Cade's coincidental a
The living room plunged into silence once the words left his mouth. Cameron looked down. Then, she spoke after a while."Nerissa isn't a good match for you. If you can't bear the loneliness, I can buy you a girlfriend through Amazon."Cade sneered, his mocking gaze sweeping over Cameron's face. "It's your fault that I have no interest in women anymore.""They offer men too if you'd prefer." Cameron's voice was clear as day. Despite her voice being pleasant to the ear, the words she spoke were hateful."So, you want to buy me a man?" Cade's expression was one of amused disdain, which was miles more terrifying than when he was outright cold. He ignored Cameron and headed upstairs. Cameron looked at the clumped-up fat floating on the broth, her gaze somewhat distant."Isn't it a good thing for us to get a divorce, Cade? You and I will both be free once we end our marriage."Cade narrowed his eyes and pressed his lips into a thin line. Her words sounded so funny to him that he co
"Late October?" Ms. Anderson's mother-in-law turned her head sharply to stare at her meek and unimpressive daughter-in-law. "You came here again? Is this the style you chose?" "No! I didn't!" The woman hurriedly tried to explain herself, but she could only deny the accusation blankly. She turned to Cameron for help, her eyes red with anxiety."The wedding is tomorrow, Ms. Yorksworth. It's too late to get it modified now. Can I exchange it for something ready-made in your store?"Cameron's response was chillingly indifferent despite the woman's pleas."Our store has policies in place for this sort of issue. If we were the ones at fault, besides refunding the cost of the custom dress, we'll also provide compensation at 100 times the cost of the dress."However, this matter affects the reputation of our store. I'm sorry, Ms. Anderson, but I don't agree that we handle the matter in such a vague fashion."Mr. Anderson and his mother's eyes lit up at the mention of the amount Cameron
Blanche snuck a glance at Cameron. However, with Cameron's face covered up, Blanche couldn't make out anything unusual in her expression."What has life done to you, Cammie?"Cameron said nothing. She pushed Blanche, who was eager for gossip, aside. "Tidy up and get to work. If we don't come up with enough funds for rent next month, we'll have to close down for good.""It's fine! Even if the store closes down, I'll keep following you and Ms. Sharon. I don't need a salary. All you have to do is provide me with food and shelter.""Are you going to come with me to beg for food in the streets too?""I can still lie down next to you. We'll be a three-man show. That means we get more food. Who knows? We might even have leftovers. I could even take an afternoon off."Cameron laughed. "Alright, stop joking around and get to work."The store used light-colored tiles, which made it susceptible to dirt. There were a lot of shoe prints left behind by the group of people. With the white wedd