Chapter 232

Chloe leaned closer to the window. Spotting Damien's car, she gasped. "Mom! It's Dad! Let him in!"

Camille barely glanced up. "Hmm."

The Hartwell family exchanged surprised looks at this unexpected visit. Though curious, they remained silent out of respect for Chloe's presence.

Moments later, Damien arrived at the door.

Camille met him outside. "Here to take Grandma Marianne for her hospital check-up?"

"Yes."

She nodded curtly. "Wait here."

Damien remained in his car without protest.

Nearly fifteen minutes passed before Marianne finally emerged.

Seeing her, Damien immediately stepped out and opened the passenger door.

Chloe grabbed her schoolbag, calling out, "Bye, Dad!"

"Have a good day at school."

After exchanging polite nods with Camille and the Hartwells, Damien drove off.

Camille took Chloe to school in her own car.

At 11:30 AM, while buried in work documents, Camille received a call from Marianne. "The procedure went perfectly."

Relief washed over Camille. She'd barely set down her phone when Damien called. She let it ring out.

Seconds later, a text appeared: "Taking Grandma for lunch. Join us?"

Camille left it unanswered. Damien always understood her silences.

True to form, no follow-up messages came.

But at noon, Elise called. "Cami! I just saw your almost-ex-husband helping your grandmother into La Belle Époque!"

Before Camille could explain, Elise gasped. "Don't tell me you're getting back together?"

"Hardly."

Flipping through a contract, Camille briefly explained Helena Harrington's fall and hospitalization. "He's just repaying the kindness."

That explained this morning's personal chauffeur service.

Elise sounded disappointed. "So... just obligation?"

"Exactly."

His very politeness proved it. Every considerate act was another brick in the wall between them.

Only a fool would mistake this for reconciliation.

Camille worked late. By the time she reached the hospital, dusk had fallen.

As she stepped from her car, she spotted Selene Lancaster leaning against a silver Mercedes.

Their eyes met. Selene's lips curled in that familiar smirk as she raked Camille with a disdainful glance.

Camille slammed her car door without acknowledgment, cradling the bouquet of white lilies.

The VIP ward hummed with quiet efficiency.

Pushing open the door, she found Damien, Tristan, and Arlo inside. Selene's presence downstairs suddenly made sense.

Had she already visited Helena? Camille couldn't be sure.

Arlo smirked at her entrance.

Tristan stood abruptly.

Damien approached. "You made it."

Camille ignored him, her gaze finding Helena. Only then did her face soften. "Grandmother."