Chapter 45

Elise Ellis studied Camille Hartwell's pale face with concern.

Camille shook her head. "I'm fine."

The moment Malcolm Lancaster had divorced her mother Audrey, he'd ceased being her father.

What truly hurt was how her existence had become a burden to her uncle Owen.

As for Damien Harrington's blatant favoritism...

The way he doted on Selene Lancaster while treating Gabriel Ashcroft and Caleb Doyle with such cold calculation for Selene's sake—never once considering her feelings—felt like a dagger twisting in her chest.

The pain was excruciating.

"Camille..." Elise pulled her into a tight embrace, her own heart breaking for her best friend.

Camille managed a weak smile but remained silent.

It would pass. She'd already resolved to move forward. She just needed time. She could do this.

"Want to get drinks?" Elise thought alcohol might help dull the pain.

Camille declined. "No."

She'd rather return home and lose herself in data analysis. That was when she truly found peace—when numbers and patterns helped her reclaim her identity.

Elise didn't press further.

As they approached the parking lot, Camille's phone rang. Chloe Harrington's name flashed on the screen.

Camille's faint smile vanished. She hesitated before answering. "Hello."

"Mommy, when are you coming home?" Chloe's whining voice carried through the speaker.

Camille evaded the question. "What's wrong?"

"It's so boring here alone. Can you come keep me company?"

Damien wasn't home and Selene was busy. The mansion felt eerily quiet.

Chloe suddenly missed when Camille would listen patiently as she rambled about cartoons and toys.

So she'd called, hoping to lure her mother back.

"I have work," Camille replied coolly. "Another time."

While she had maternal responsibilities, she also had her own life to live.

Right now, she needed space to process everything.

"Fine..." Chloe's voice dripped with disappointment.

"I'll call you later if you need anything." Camille ended the call.

Chloe flopped onto her bed, sulking.

Just then, Damien returned. Noticing her mood, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"I called Mommy to come home, but she said she's busy..." Chloe buried her face in a pillow. "She's always busy lately."

Damien merely hummed in response, settling on the couch to handle business emails without offering comfort.

Yet he remained in the living room instead of retreating to his study as usual.

This small gesture lifted Chloe's spirits enough to resume her puzzle game.

Meanwhile, Rosalie Lancaster arched an eyebrow as Malcolm's group returned. "What took so long?"

Malcolm hesitated. "We ran into Camille."

"Oh? You saw her?"

Rosalie Lancaster was a striking socialite who'd married well and wielded considerable influence in both her marital and birth families.

She showed little interest in her long-estranged niece, focusing instead on practical matters. "Did you discuss Selene joining NovaSight Labs?"

Malcolm shook his head. "She refused to listen."

Rosalie set down her coffee cup with a frown. "Honestly, I understand her resentment about Damien choosing Selene, but we've all met him. A man like that would never stay with a woman who only offers beauty."

"Even if it weren't Selene, he would've left her eventually."