Chapter 158

Camille found her book after Chloe had left. Clutching the novel, she settled by the large second-floor window and began reading.

Thirty minutes later, Helena arrived with a steaming bowl of herbal medicine. "There you are, dear."

Camille set aside her book and accepted the bowl. "You didn't need to bring it up, Grandma. I would've come down if you'd called."

"You should rest, not exhaust yourself moving around."

Helena sat on the opposite couch, sighing. "I wanted to ask Damien to bring this to you, but he's glued to his keyboard in the study. It's the weekend—what could possibly be so urgent?"

Earlier, Damien had been guiding Selene through some project details. Camille assumed he'd retreated to the study for easier typing.

She remained silent, lifting the bowl to her lips.

The medicine had cooled slightly, and Camille drank it in quick gulps. Helena frowned. "That's terribly bitter, darling. Slow down."

Camille placed the empty bowl aside. "It's fine, really."

She rinsed her mouth with water, and Helena handed her a candy.

Camille didn't take it.

Dinner was nearly ready, but since she'd already eaten, she returned to her book.

Helena headed downstairs.

Half an hour later, Helena and Chloe returned, their expressions tight.

"Damien is going to the office at this hour? He'll work himself sick!" Helena snapped.

Camille, absorbed in her reading, hadn't even heard the car leave.

If Damien was leaving now, it must be related to Selene's project. Chloe flopped onto Camille's lap, pouting. "Dad wouldn't let me go with him."

Of course he wouldn't.

If he did, everyone at Vertex Dynamics would discover he was married—and that he had a daughter Chloe's age.

Selene would be humiliated.

Damien would never allow that.

Camille nudged Chloe away gently. "I'm still recovering, sweetheart. Sit somewhere else."

"Okay..."

Still feeling slightly unwell, Camille washed up and went to bed by ten.

The next morning, she realized Damien hadn't come home.

Thanks to Emmett, Camille recovered quickly.

Helena insisted Emmett check on her again, and he prescribed two more doses. Camille needed to return to work, and Helena couldn't dissuade her. Instead, she demanded Camille return that evening for her medicine, claiming she couldn't brew it properly herself.

Seeing Helena's stubborn expression, Camille reluctantly agreed.

Chloe begged Camille to drive her to school, but Camille refused. "Next time, sweetheart. I didn't bring my car."

Chloe grinned. "You can take Dad's! I'll call him—he'll say yes."

Without waiting for a response, Chloe dialed Damien.

The call connected almost immediately.

Chloe nearly blurted out the responder's name—but caught Camille's sharp gaze and swallowed the word.

"Never mind," Chloe muttered, hanging up.

She thought she'd hidden it well, but Camille had caught it—the way Chloe had almost said Selene's name.