Chapter 77

"Grandmother," Camille interrupted Helena. She maintained her composure as she continued, "It's fine. Chloe and I can return alone if Damien is occupied."

Camille refused to impose on Damien. Her indifference toward him had grown beyond such trivial concerns.

Helena misread the situation entirely. She assumed Camille's words stemmed from consideration, an attempt to spare Damien inconvenience.

This misplaced kindness twisted Helena's heart with both sympathy and frustration. The matter was settled.

After breakfast, Camille lingered to chat with Helena before preparing to depart. Helena insisted on sending gifts to her longtime friend Marianne, pressuring Camille into becoming the unwilling courier.

Damien remained home that morning, joining Helena to see Camille and Chloe off.

Chloe clung to Damien's leg. "Daddy, will you be home tonight?"

He tousled her hair gently. "Of course."

Not a single word passed between Camille and Damien.

Once Chloe bounded into the car, Camille waved at Helena and drove away.

Through the rearview mirror, she watched their figures recede - Damien and Helena standing motionless as the distance grew.

Upon arriving at the Hartwell estate, Camille parked in the courtyard. Marianne and Talia emerged to greet them.

Talia's brows knitted at the car's overloaded trunk. "Why so many packages?"

"Grandmother Helena insisted," Camille explained.

The once-close friendship between Marianne and Helena had cooled considerably since Camille married Damien.

Marianne scoffed at the explanation but held her tongue.

Camille noticed construction across the street and seized the distraction. "New neighbors moving in?"

"Apparently so," Talia confirmed. "Work began last week. The crew mentioned the owner wants to occupy quickly. For such an extensive renovation, they're progressing remarkably fast."

Their neighborhood of historic villas housed families who'd lived side-by-side for generations, creating an intimate community.

As they unloaded bags, Talia mused, "Let's hope they're decent people."

Difficult neighbors could disrupt their peaceful coexistence.

Inside, Talia presented Camille with a steaming bowl of bone broth. "I heard you've been exhausted lately. Made extra for you to take home."

Camille accepted it gratefully. "Thank you, Aunt Talia."

Owen didn't return until dinner, delayed by work commitments.

Camille's guilt resurfaced, remembering how Gabriel's rejection of Selene's application at NovaSight Labs had provoked Damien's retaliation - costing Owen a valuable project.

"Uncle Owen, I'm truly sorry about what happened."

Owen waved it off. "Ancient history. As I told you, Ortega Corporation couldn't have handled that project regardless. Don't trouble yourself."

This conversation couldn't reach Marianne's ears. Her fury would be uncontainable if she learned Damien had sabotaged the Hartwells for Selene's sake.

Owen subtly nudged Camille when Marianne approached, signaling her to drop the subject.

Camille smoothly transitioned to safer topics.