Chapter 279

Camille Hartwell collapsed onto her bed after working nonstop for thirty-six hours straight.

She had meticulously documented every crucial detail and emailed the files to Gabriel Ashcroft. Exhausted, she dragged herself downstairs for breakfast.

Gabriel's hands shook as he reviewed the materials. "This is brilliant, Cami! Absolutely perfect!"

Rubbing her throbbing temples, Camille replied, "I need sleep. We'll talk later."

"Of course."

She slept until mid-afternoon.

When she awoke, Chloe Harrington was quietly assembling a puzzle in her room.

"Mom! You're awake!" Chloe jumped up immediately.

Camille nodded groggily.

"Are you thirsty? Should I get you water?"

After a brief hesitation, Camille said, "Yes, please."

Chloe fetched the water before returning to her puzzle.

Watching her daughter concentrate, guilt twisted in Camille's chest. She'd neglected Chloe these past days while buried in work.

But today was the final day of vacation.

Tomorrow she'd return to Vertex Dynamics, leaving even less time for her daughter.

"Chloe?"

The girl turned. "Yes, Mom?"

"When is your father coming back?"

"He said not for a while." Chloe tilted her head. "Do you need him?"

Camille shook her head. "Never mind. Keep playing."

After finishing her water, Camille texted Damien Harrington:

"Return date? I start work tomorrow. Can't watch Chloe. Come get her."

Thirty minutes later, Damien replied:

"Two more days."

She left the conversation there.

After dinner, Chloe went for a walk with Marianne Hartwell.

Upstairs, Camille received Gabriel's call.

They discussed project ideas on speakerphone when Chloe returned.

Hearing the unfamiliar male voice, Chloe interrupted, "Who are you talking to, Mom?"

"Just a colleague."

"Oh..."

Gabriel recognized Chloe's voice but said nothing. He didn't mention knowing her as a baby or having held her.

Their call lasted until 10 PM.

The next morning, Camille returned to Vertex Dynamics.

The company had been understaffed since launching her two projects last year. Hiring was postponed due to their workload.

Now expansion couldn't wait. On her first day back, Camille restructured teams.

Damien had promised to return in two days.

Four days passed with no sign of him.

On the fifth day, Chloe called Camille at work. "Mom! Dad's back! Someone's coming to get me."

"Don't forget anything," Camille reminded.

"Can you come see me off?"

Camille's desk overflowed with work.

She nearly refused.

Then she remembered how little time they'd spent together.

And how soon Chloe might forget her.

"Alright, I'm coming."

Chloe cheered.

Gabriel had returned from vacation.

Seeing Camille exhausted, he encouraged her to leave early.

But he scoffed, "Damien drops everything for his honeymoon with that woman, delaying his return without guilt. Yet you feel guilty as the non-custodial parent? He's exploiting your soft heart—dumping the kid on you while he plays."