Chapter 190

Camille headed upstairs at 7:00 sharp.

Chloe was already awake.

When she noticed Camille returning, Chloe quickly minimized her ChatLine window.

Camille pretended not to see it. "Go freshen up and change," she said casually.

"Okay!"

As Camille packed her belongings, she saw Marianne gathering last night's pajamas to wash.

"Don't bother washing those, Marianne," Camille said. "Just throw them away."

"Actually, dispose of everything here. I won't be needing any of it anymore."

The divorce from Damien would be finalized soon.

Even if she met Chloe in the future, she wouldn't step foot in this house again, much less stay overnight.

These items held no meaning for her now.

There had always been tension between Camille and Damien.

Her rare visits over the past few months had already signaled their deteriorating relationship.

When Damien had cleared her things from the master bedroom earlier that month, it was the final confirmation.

Now, with Camille's words, Marianne had no remaining doubts.

Marianne hesitated before murmuring, "Understood."

Carrying her bag downstairs, Camille nearly collided with Damien returning from his morning run.

"Good morning," he offered first.

Camille gave a curt nod. "Morning."

She placed her bag on the sofa and headed to the kitchen while Damien went upstairs.

With breakfast still being prepared, Marianne handled the final touches. Camille settled in the living room with a book, waiting for Chloe.

Time was running short. When Chloe still hadn't appeared, Camille remained seated and asked Marianne to hurry her along.

In the past, Camille would have gone upstairs herself.

Now she behaved more like a guest, showing less concern for Chloe's routines.

Marianne noticed the change but simply nodded and went upstairs.

"New book?"

Camille was so absorbed she didn't realize Damien had come downstairs.

She nodded.

"Mind if I take a look?" He extended his hand.

Camille hesitated. "Don't you have your own copy?"

It was the latest AI research journal.

Early in their marriage, when Camille was still unfamiliar with AI, she'd noticed numerous AI-related books in Damien's study.

Naturally, he subscribed to all the leading journals in the field.

"Been too busy lately to check the latest issue."

He reached for the journal just as Chloe's footsteps approached.

Since breakfast was ready, Camille handed it over.

Chloe bounded downstairs, spotted them, and grabbed Camille's hand. "Breakfast ready, Mom?"

"Yes."

Camille headed to the dining room. Chloe followed but turned back to Damien, still holding the journal. "Aren't you joining us, Dad?"

"In a minute," he replied.

Once Camille and Chloe were seated, Damien arrived.

He'd barely started eating when his phone buzzed.

Setting down his utensils, he checked the notification.

Camille ate quietly. Finishing first, she returned to the living room and retrieved the journal Damien had left on the coffee table, tucking it into her bag. When Chloe finished, they left without another word to Damien.