Chapter 412

The evening shadows stretched long across Camille's office as she gathered her things to leave. Her phone buzzed insistently - Chloe Harrington's name flashing across the screen.

Tomorrow was Saturday. Camille guessed her stepdaughter wanted to arrange a visit. But her schedule was already packed.

She had promised Marianne Hartwell they would visit Audrey at the nursing home together. The doctors needed to discuss her mother's deteriorating condition and adjust medications accordingly.

With a sigh, Camille silenced the call.

Saturday dawned bright but carried no warmth for Camille. At the nursing home, Audrey looked alarmingly frail - her once-lustrous hair now brittle, her complexion ashen.

Dr. Wren adjusted his glasses. "The antipsychotics we previously prescribed are causing liver toxicity."

"Given her current organ failure, we've had to discontinue several medications. Combined with the antibiotics..." His voice trailed off meaningfully.

Camille's knuckles whitened around her purse strap as she nodded.

The medical consultation stretched through the morning. It wasn't until noon that she and Owen finally left the facility.

Chloe called again as they exited. Camille stared at the ringing phone, then firmly declined.

The calls stopped after that.

But fate wasn't done with her yet. That afternoon, Elise Ellis - freshly returned from Paris Fashion Week - phoned with shopping plans.

Camille nearly refused. Between Audrey's decline and Marianne's recent fatigue, outings held little appeal.

"Stop locking yourself away," Marianne chided gently, patting her granddaughter's hand. "Some fresh air will do you good."

Reluctantly, Camille changed and met Elise at The Meridian Mall.

Over milk tea, months of separation melted away. When Camille finally shared Audrey's prognosis, Elise's cup hit the saucer with a clatter.

"She'll... she'll pull through," Elise offered weakly after a long pause.

Camille wished she could believe that. But the doctors' grim expressions told another story.

"I shouldn't have dragged you out when-"

"It's fine," Camille began, then froze. Her entire body went rigid.

Elise followed her gaze to the elegant couple browsing nearby. Malcolm Lancaster, impeccably tailored, carried shopping bags while his wife Helena selected garments with practiced ease.

The Lancasters looked decades younger than their age, radiating contentment as they enjoyed their Saturday outing.

Elise's nails dug into her palms. "How do people like that sleep at night?"

Camille lowered her eyes. The injustice burned like acid.

What made it worse, Elise added quietly, was that Damien still-

Camille's grip threatened to crack her cup.

They left soon after. The encounter had extinguished what little remained of Camille's mood.

Monday morning found her at Harrington Group with Gabriel Ashcroft. Their tech team meeting proceeded smoothly - conspicuously without Damien's presence.

During a bathroom break, Camille rounded a corner to find Damien deep in discussion with Colin Keaton. Both men fell silent at her approach.

She moved to pass without acknowledgment when Damien spoke: "Chloe's been trying to reach you. When she calls, answer."