Chapter 84

Camille wasn't shocked when Selene picked up. Of course Damien and Selene were practically glued together these days.

So what if she answered his phone?

Camille kept her voice steady. "I need to speak with Damien."

Selene's icy tone dripped with recognition. "He's showering. Tell me what you want."

Tell her? Well, this did involve Selene after all.

Owen had spotted Selene's uncle Conrad and his wife Sabrina in the neighborhood today. But Malcolm had likely bought the villa across from theirs.

If Malcolm purchased that property, it was clearly intended for Selene's grandmother Mabel and her mother Helena.

So if Camille told Selene, would she stop them from moving in?

Not a chance.

Besides, Camille doubted Selene was unaware of Conrad's family planning to live right opposite the Hartwell residence. Telling her would be pointless - maybe even counterproductive. Camille hung up without another word.

Over an hour passed. No callback from Damien.

Maybe Selene hadn't told him. Or maybe he simply didn't care to respond.

Either way, it changed nothing.

Composure intact, she dialed again. This time, his phone was off.

Her fingers tightened around her phone briefly before she called Marcus instead. "Are they home?"

"No, they're out. Why?"

"Nothing." She ended the call.

Sleep eluded her that night.

At 9:15 the next morning, she tried Damien again.

The call connected - then immediately disconnected.

She didn't know if it was Selene or Damien who'd hung up. Nor did she care.

Grabbing her purse, she headed out.

Soon she stood before Damien's villa.

Marcus greeted her warmly. "Mrs. Harrington, you're back?"

Camille nodded. "Yes."

"Shall I have lunch prepared?"

"Yes, thank you."

Upstairs, she paused outside the master bedroom before entering. Setting her bag down, she sat on the bed.

Everything remained exactly as she'd left it.

Her skincare products from when she'd stayed to care for Chloe had been returned to their places.

Even the clothes she'd taken were hanging neatly beside Damien's in the walk-in closet.

As if she'd never left.

She didn't call again. He never called back.

Dinner was a solitary affair.

She considered asking Helena for help, but that would only complicate matters.

Besides, while Damien respected his grandmother, whether he listened was another story.

After eating, she opened her laptop and buried herself in work.

Night fell.

Just as she assumed Damien and Chloe wouldn't return, car headlights illuminated the driveway.

Chloe noticed first. Spotting Camille's car, she turned excitedly to Damien. "Dad! Mom's home!"

"Hmm."

Damien glanced at the familiar vehicle before entering with Chloe.

Chloe immediately asked Marcus, who'd come to greet them. "Where's Mom?"

"Mrs. Harrington is upstairs."