Chapter 298

Camille was just opening her mouth to speak when Damien's phone buzzed again.

Probably Selene. He moved toward the door, answering with surprising gentleness. "It's nothing serious, don't worry—"

Eleven.

By the time Damien finished the call and returned, Chloe had woken. Blinking sleepily at them both, she murmured, "Daddy? Mommy?"

Camille and Damien responded simultaneously. "Yes."

Still disoriented, Chloe's gaze drifted between them before her face scrunched in discomfort. Within moments, she'd slipped back into sleep.

The room fell into respectful silence. Only when Chloe's breathing steadied did Damien turn to Camille. "Staying?"

She didn't answer. But her unmoving posture spoke volumes.

Damien simply nodded and settled onto the opposite couch.

Camille remained in the bedside chair until exhaustion claimed her.

Morning light startled her awake. She found herself curled on Chloe's hospital bed.

Confusion flickered across her face. She distinctly remembered—her gaze snapped to the couch.

Damien slept upright, head propped on one hand. As if sensing her stare, his eyes flew open, locking onto hers.

Camille looked away immediately. Neither mentioned how she'd gotten to the bed.

"Breakfast at home or here?" Damien stretched his legs.

Silence.

When Chloe stirred awake, Marcus and Marianne entered with breakfast trays.

"Mrs. Harrington," they chorused.

The title made Camille's jaw tighten, but she held her tongue.

Marcus set down the food. "Mr. Harrington thought you might be hungry."

Camille shook her head. To Chloe, she said, "Mommy's going home to shower. I'll be back soon."

"Promise?" Chloe's voice was small.

"Promise."

Grabbing her purse, Camille spared Chloe one last glance before leaving.

Home. Shower. Breakfast. Then back to the hospital.

En route, she called Gabriel. "Chloe's sick. I'll be in this afternoon."

No further explanation needed. Gabriel simply said, "Understood."

Returning to the hospital room, she found Tristan and Arlo there.

Arlo smirked but stayed silent. Tristan looked torn—but with Damien present, he deferred.

Damien broke the tension. "You're back."

"Mommy!" Chloe beamed.

Camille smiled. "Yes, sweetheart."

The men soon excused themselves. Camille expected Damien to leave too.

He didn't. He stayed, working from his laptop while monitoring Chloe.

Camille said nothing.

That afternoon, as Chloe napped, Camille dozed off in her chair.

She awoke to Marcus's presence.

"Mrs. Harrington," Damien said without looking up from typing, "the soup."

Marcus brightened. "Mr. Harrington had this prepared specially for you."

Camille blinked sleep away. Her frown deepened when she processed Damien's use of "Mrs. Harrington."

Then Chloe stirred, cutting off her thoughts.

By morning, Chloe had improved dramatically. After the doctor's clearance, Damien arranged her discharge.

"Mommy," Chloe clung to Camille's hand, "can't you stay home with me?"

"Next time," Camille said gently.

Her duty as a mother was fulfilled. As for returning to Damien's home? Never.

Chloe pouted but nodded.

Damien stepped forward. "Say goodbye to Mommy, Chloe."

"Bye, Mommy."

"Bye, darling."

Camille turned on her heel, her car peeling away from the hospital without a backward glance.