Chapter 23

Caleb Doyle froze in the doorway of the break room, catching the tail end of Camille Hartwell's conversation with Phoebe Carver.

He and Colin Keaton had been certain Camille would never willingly leave the company. They'd bet on her finding some way to stay.

When Phoebe took over Camille's responsibilities, they expected fireworks. Phoebe was gorgeous - how could Camille let her work so closely with Damien Harrington?

Yet for days, Camille had not only accepted Phoebe but seemed to genuinely like her. Now she was even teaching Phoebe how to brew Damien's favorite coffee.

What game was she playing?

Camille remained unaware of Caleb's scrutiny. She declined Phoebe's dinner invitation with a polite smile, eager to get home and continue her AI research.

Her phone rang as she stepped into her car. "Mom? Are you off work?" Chloe Harrington's voice chirped through the speakers.

"What do you need?" Camille started the engine.

"I want you to cook tonight. Can you make my favorite when you get home?"

Camille's grip tightened on the wheel.

Technically, she and Damien weren't divorced yet. He hadn't asked her to move out. Cooking for their daughter shouldn't be an issue.

But she was exhausted. And she had plans.

Chloe was her responsibility, but Camille had a life too. She wasn't willing to sacrifice everything unconditionally anymore.

"Not tonight, sweetheart. Maybe another time."

Camille had rarely refused Chloe anything before. This was her second rejection today.

Though Chloe assumed her mother was simply busy, she'd grown accustomed to being Camille's top priority. The rejection stung.

"Mom! You're always busy now! I don't care - I want you to cook for me!"

Camille felt a headache coming on.

Chloe huffed and hung up.

Tears pricked Camille's eyes. She sat motionless for several minutes before finally pulling out of the parking lot.

At home, she ate a quick meal and opened her laptop. Gabriel Ashcroft called just as she began working.

"There's an industry event this weekend. Come with me? I'd like to introduce you to some people."

"Of course."

"How's the handover going?"

"Nearly done. Just a few more days."

"Perfect."

Meanwhile, Chloe waited, convinced her mother would rush home to comfort her. By 8pm, there was still no sign of Camille.

Marcus Maddox grew concerned. "Miss Chloe, perhaps you should eat something? Mrs. Harrington seems quite busy tonight."

"No!" Chloe crossed her arms.

When Camille didn't even call, Chloe's hurt turned to real anger. Marcus's suggestion only made her cry harder. "I want Mom to cook!"

Marcus had no choice but to call Damien.

It took several rings before Damien answered. "What?"

After Marcus explained, Damien said, "Put her on."

"Daddy..." Chloe sniffled.

"Eat your dinner."

Chloe wiped her tears but stayed stubbornly silent.

Damien matched her silence.

Her crying intensified.

"I'll take you out this weekend. You choose where."

The sobbing stopped. "Really?"

"Yes. Now eat."

"Have you eaten, Daddy?"

"I'm at a function."

"Oh..."

"Go eat."

"Fine."

Chloe pouted but felt better. She hung up and went downstairs without further protest.

Back at the private dining room, someone teased, "Mr. Harrington, you're quite popular tonight."

Damien sipped his drink. "My daughter was refusing to eat. Had to handle it."