Chapter 239

Camille and Marianne stayed with Helena for about thirty minutes before Damien announced, "I need to step out briefly."

During their visit, Damien had been mostly silent, observing without much input.

Helena scoffed at his words. "Fine, go ahead."

Damien left the hospital room. But once he was gone, he didn’t return for over half an hour.

Earlier, Marianne Maddox had been present, ensuring the refreshments—fruit, pastries, and tea—were properly arranged.

After Marianne stepped away briefly, Camille noticed Marianne Hartwell’s tea had gone cold. She picked up the small teapot and moved to the table to brew a fresh batch.

Seeing Camille handle the tea herself, Helena suddenly thought of Damien.

She frowned and muttered, "That boy... Who knows what he’s doing? He’s been gone forever."

When Damien had excused himself earlier, Camille hadn’t paid much attention. But now, hearing Helena’s remark, she remembered—Selene Lancaster was still downstairs.

Damien had likely gone to keep her company so she wouldn’t get bored. Still, half an hour was excessive.

After preparing the tea, Camille poured fresh cups for herself, Marianne, and Helena.

Just as she set the teapot down, the door opened, and Damien walked in.

Helena shot him a look. "I thought you’d vanished."

Damien merely smiled without responding.

Helena didn’t press further and instead turned to Camille with a warm smile. "No one makes tea quite like you."

Damien remained uninvolved in their conversation. But when the teapot ran empty again, he noticed Helena’s glance and refilled their cups without a word.

Another half hour passed, and the sky outside darkened.

Camille and Marianne decided it was time to leave.

Helena insisted Damien join them for dinner. He hesitated slightly.

Before he could respond, Camille and Marianne declined politely. "No need—we have soup waiting at home."

It wasn’t an excuse. And truthfully, neither had any interest in dining with Damien.

Helena seemed to sense this and didn’t push. Instead, she told Damien, "At least walk them downstairs."

He agreed, then turned back to Helena. "I have some things to handle. I’ll visit again tomorrow."

"Go, then. Come if you want—I don’t care."

Despite her words, since her fall, Damien had been visiting frequently. Deep down, she appreciated his attentiveness.

Her only dissatisfaction lay in his stubbornness regarding the divorce.

Damien escorted Camille and Marianne downstairs.

As they stepped out of the elevator, they nearly collided with Hugo Harrington, Damien’s younger brother, who was waiting for the next lift with a backpack slung over his shoulder.

He brightened upon seeing them. "Dane, Camille, Mrs. Hartwell."

Camille and Marianne nodded in acknowledgment.

Hugo grinned. "Heading to dinner?"

Before Camille could reply, Damien cut in. "Why aren’t you in class yet?"

"I’m just checking on Grandma first, then I’ll go."

"Then go."

"Right."

Hugo stepped into the elevator, and Camille and Marianne exited the hospital.

At the entrance, Camille turned to Damien. "No need to see us out."

He didn’t argue. "Alright."