Chapter 35

Damien's eyes flicked toward the bathroom door.

Chloe piped up, "Mom's showering in there."

"Hmm." His gaze lingered. "Did you ask her to use our shower?"

"No. She brought her own clothes."

Damien didn't press further. After a brief exchange, he simply told Chloe to get some rest before walking away.

Inside the bathroom, Camille heard muffled voices but couldn't make out the words. The medicine had knocked Chloe out quickly. By the time Camille finished showering, the girl was already curled up asleep.

She slipped into bed beside her daughter.

Chloe immediately burrowed into her arms, nuzzling against her shoulder. "You smell like vanilla," she murmured sleepily. "And you're so warm."

No one hugged like Camille did—not even Selene. But Chloe knew better than to mention that name around her mother.

Exhaustion claimed them both quickly.

Camille slept fitfully. Chloe had always been a restless sleeper when sick, constantly kicking off the blankets. Like clockwork, Camille woke every few hours to tuck her back in.

Dawn found her staring out the window, watching Damien's familiar morning jog routine below.

After freshening up, she headed downstairs to cook breakfast. Thirty minutes later, she handed the kitchen over to Marianne. Confirming Chloe's fever hadn't spiked overnight, she grabbed her purse and keys.

The front door clicked shut just as Chloe stirred awake. "Where's Mommy?"

"Mrs. Harrington had to step out," Marianne said.

Chloe's face fell.

"But she made your favorite pancakes before leaving."

That brightened the girl instantly. Though still recovering, her appetite had returned with a vengeance. She practically skipped downstairs.

Damien entered the kitchen moments later. His eyes swept the room. "Where's Camille?"

"She left earlier."

He accepted this with a curt nod.

Meanwhile, Camille scarfed down toast at her apartment while packing her work bag. The doorbell interrupted her.

The security monitor showed Freya Finch and her daughter Maisie waiting outside.

"Ms. Hartwell!" Freya wrung her hands. "My mother-in-law's been rushed to hospital. Could you possibly take Maisie to school?"

Camille agreed—the kindergarten was on her way to work anyway.

Twenty minutes later, as she hunted for parking near the school gates, three familiar figures came into view.

Chloe bounced between Damien and Selene Lancaster, clutching the woman's hand like it was a lifeline. Damien walked protectively beside them, shielding them from passing cars.

Maisie gasped. "Ms. Hartwell! Look, it's Chloe!"

Camille's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "I see."

"Is that pretty lady Chloe's other mommy?" Maisie asked innocently. "Does she have two mommies?"