Chapter 449

Chloe clutched her phone tightly as she dashed down the grand staircase. When she discovered Damien had flown back from Lucerne just to surprise her, the gloom that had shadowed her face all day finally lifted. Camille watched from the hallway, hesitating briefly before following her daughter and instructing the security to admit Damien's car.

The moment the sleek black sedan rolled into the Hartwell estate's driveway, Chloe burst through the front doors. She practically launched herself into Damien's arms the second he stepped onto the cobblestone path.

Today was supposed to be her special day, yet Damien hadn't called once. Camille had been absent all afternoon at some business meeting. The crushing feeling of being forgotten had weighed on Chloe all day. Now, seeing her father's unexpected arrival, tears welled up instantly in her eyes. The dam of suppressed emotions broke as she buried her face in his tailored suit.

Damien's hand hovered momentarily when he felt the dampness on his jacket. A flicker of realization crossed his sharp features. It wasn't just his absence that had upset her - Camille must have contributed to this emotional outburst too. His gaze found Camille standing several paces away, her expression unreadable. Their eyes locked briefly in silent communication before she looked away.

Watching Chloe's trembling shoulders, Camille knew exactly why her daughter was crying. Yet she remained rooted in place, arms crossed, offering no comfort. When Camille made no move to intervene, Damien focused entirely on Chloe, gently thumbing away her tears. "I should have called," he murmured. "I should have been here sooner."

His words only made Chloe cry harder, all her bottled-up loneliness pouring out. Damien didn't hush her. He simply held her close, one hand rubbing soothing circles on her back until her sobs subsided into hiccups. Only then did he produce a small velvet box from his pocket.

Chloe's breath caught when she saw the gift. Wiping her cheeks, she managed a watery smile. "Thank you, Daddy." As father and daughter conversed quietly, Camille maintained her distance, observing silently from the shadows.

With about an hour left before midnight, Damien crouched to Chloe's level. "Anything special you'd like to do to finish your birthday?" Chloe bit her lip, glancing between her parents before shaking her head.

Damien followed her gaze to Camille. "Would you prefer coming home with me tonight, or staying here with your mother?" The question hung heavily in the air.

Chloe hesitated, studying Camille's impassive face. Though her mother had been distant lately, she still fulfilled every request Chloe made. That had to mean something, didn't it? Decision made, Chloe crossed to Camille and slipped her small hand into her mother's. "I want to stay with Mom."

Damien didn't argue, simply nodding at Camille. It was Chloe's birthday wish, after all. Camille's fingers tightened slightly around Chloe's. "Alright then." Her voice was cool but not unkind. "It's late. Say goodnight to your father."

"Goodnight, Daddy," Chloe whispered, then impulsively added, "You'll pick me up tomorrow morning, right?"

Damien's smile softened his usually stern features. "Of course." His gaze shifted to Camille. "Thank you for tonight."

Camille inclined her head slightly. "She's my daughter too." With that, she turned, leading Chloe back toward the house without another word.

Damien remained by his car until the heavy oak doors closed behind them. Only then did he slide into the driver's seat, the engine purring to life as he disappeared into the night.