Chapter 74 Camilla… Camilla Malaike, I love you.
Camilla placed her phone on the bed. She sat there, staring at the photo on the wall as she let out a long breath. She still remembered her argument with her father earlier. The man she loved dearly had firmly forbidden her from leaving the house—especially just to meet Danieru.
Yes… Camilla knew everything now. Her father had told her what had truly happened, and strangely, she felt relieved. At first it had been painfully heartbreaking, but Camilla believed in one thing—fate. She truly believed in it.
She knew that going against her parents was wrong. But… this had all started because of her, and she was the one who had to finish it. Camilla didn’t want to leave any wounds behind, whether for her family or for anyone else. She was trying to put her life back in order, hoping she could win against the pain, the disappointment, and the failures.
For most people, loving someone means possessing them. But not for Camilla. The moment she felt her heart begin to move, that was the very moment she had to leave and run as far away as possible.
Selfish? Maybe that was the right word. But Camilla didn’t even want to question the reason behind her actions. She met Danieru today because she wanted to. And today, she wouldn’t run. She would stay—but with one thing very different from before.
“How boring,” Camilla murmured softly. Slowly, she lay back and stared at the ceiling with a faint smile. It had been so long since she had left this place, and she missed the comfort she always felt here.
“He’s taking so long,” she muttered again. It had been an hour, and Danieru still hadn’t arrived.
“Did that idiot forget the way home?” Camilla sighed in resignation, raising her hand to shield her eyes from the light above.
The room fell silent again. Camilla had no interest in talking to herself anymore. She was tired of waiting, annoyed that Danieru hadn’t shown up yet.
Unable to stand it any longer, she sat up and got to her feet, walking toward the door. Maybe a drink would calm her down. Maybe she would find something interesting outside. She reached for the doorknob—then suddenly froze.
Bang—
The door burst open violently, the sound sharp and echoing. Camilla stiffened, nearly fainting from the shock.
“Camilla! Hah… hah… t-thank goodness you’re still here.” Danieru looked at her, breathing heavily.
Hearing his voice snapped Camilla out of her daze. She crossed her arms and glared at him.
“You made me wait for more than an hour, then you startled me so badly I almost died of a heart attack, and now you’re standing there like you’re innocent. Seriously… are you even human?”
Danieru ignored her words. He immediately pulled her into a tight embrace. Closing his eyes, he listened to his own racing heartbeat and felt happiness flooding him. Now… yes… now Camilla was in his arms, and he wouldn’t let her go again.
“Did you miss me that much?” Camilla asked. She didn’t return the hug at first, letting him pour out his longing.
“I missed you so much,” Danieru replied.
Camilla smiled faintly at his answer. Then she wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his chest. It felt calm and warm. She missed his scent. She missed being with him.
But… now wasn’t the time for something so useless. She had come here for a reason, and it couldn’t be delayed.
Camilla gently pushed him away, and Danieru released her. She felt relieved and gave him a small smile.
Danieru, feeling the rejection, looked at her. He couldn’t move when their eyes met. His lips parted slightly as he tried to read what she was thinking.
“How have you been? Were you okay while I wasn’t by your side?” Camilla asked.
Danieru looked at her deeply. He took her hand and placed it on top of his head.
“What are you doing?” Camilla asked, though she followed his lead.
Danieru made a pitiful face. “Pat my head, and I’ll answer all your questions.”
Camilla sighed. “Why are you acting like a puppy now?”
Danieru smiled when she gently patted his head and ruffled his hair. It felt comforting, full of affection.
“Answer me,” Camilla said, staring into his eyes as if trying to dive into the depths of his heart.
“I’m fine. And yes, I’m like a cute little puppy. I’m acting this way because my owner hasn’t come back for a long time.”
“Tch… I’m not a dog owner,” Camilla muttered.
Danieru held back a laugh, biting his lower lip as he searched for words to lighten the mood. But the more he tried, the harder it became.
“Kitty,” Danieru said softly.
Hearing his pet name for her made Camilla swallow.
“I missed you so much. Every night I dream about you. I miss our time together. Your shadow keeps haunting me. You know… I’ve been suffering in endless longing. Kitty, when you disappeared, I was terrified. I was afraid you would never come back to me.”
Camilla stayed silent, letting him continue.
“At first, I wasn’t sure about these feelings. I was lost and did something foolish. I kept listening to my mind, but I forgot that my heart matters just as much.”
Camilla took a slow breath and exhaled softly.
“My mind screamed that I didn’t love you, but my heart cried and said I loved you deeply. I was trapped between two impossible choices. I got lost, and I fell into a dark valley. I tried to find Rachel in that darkness, touching cold walls that nearly froze me.”
Camilla curled one corner of her lips.
“As I kept walking, I fell deeper. Then I felt the pain… When you disappeared, I didn’t realize it yet. But when I made the second mistake, I understood. My heart told me clearly that only you deserve to be my home. Kitty… I love you. Even if I realized it too late, I want you to know.”
Camilla felt suffocated. Why? Why did this kind of love exist? Why did Danieru’s confession feel like poison with no antidote? And why did it hurt so much?
“Danieru… have you forgotten about the agreement?” she asked.
“No… I remember that foolish agreement very well. Kitty, didn’t I say it doesn’t exist anymore?”
Camilla fell silent. He had broken the agreement on his own.
Seeing her distracted, Danieru stepped closer. He took her hand and guided her to the bed. Gently, he laid her down and hovered over her, gazing deeply into her eyes.
Camilla swallowed hard.
“My heart chose you, and now my mind has too. I want you completely. I’ve realized this love. Camilla… be my real wife. Let’s start a new chapter. Let’s live in true happiness and tear down the tall, solid walls that have stood between us.”
Camilla remained frozen. She never expected to hear those words from him.
“You… me… and our future. Camilla… Camilla Malaike, I love you.”
Her heart grew more chaotic.
When she didn’t answer, Danieru lowered his face and kissed her softly.
Camilla’s eyes widened. She didn’t respond at first. She saw his eyes closed, felt his lips moving gently against hers.
For a moment, she was swept away. She closed her eyes and slowly returned the kiss.
Camilla… wake up!
Her mind screamed. She opened her eyes abruptly and pushed him away.
“What’s wrong?” Danieru asked.
Camilla looked at him and swallowed hard. She had to stay aware.
“Kitty,” he called gently.
She turned her face away.
“Kitty, answer me.”
She steadied herself and looked at him again.
“What is it?” he asked once more.
“Danieru… I…”
He grew nervous, waiting.
“I…” Camilla took a deep breath.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, trying to stay calm.
She clenched her fists, swallowed, and stared at him sharply.
“Say what you want to say. Don’t scare me with that look in your eyes.”