Chapter 138

Chapter 138

Half a month later, Camilla could walk.

She wore the blue-and-white striped hospital gown and a pair of cotton slippers. She held onto the wall as she walked down the corridor. One step at a time. Slowly.

Caspian walked beside her, not too close, keeping an arm's distance. He didn't support her. He let her walk on her own.

Camilla reached the elevator. She stopped, catching her breath.

"Let's go see Ollie," Camilla said.

Caspian nodded and pressed the down button. The elevator doors opened. They stepped inside.

Third floor. General pediatric ward.

Ollie sat on the hospital bed in a patient gown, playing with a Rubik's cube. The nurse sat in a chair beside him peeling an apple. The peel fell into the trash can.

Camilla walked in quietly.

Ollie looked up and saw Camilla. The Rubik's cube fell from his hands onto the blanket and came apart.

"Mommy!" Ollie shouted.

Camilla walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

Ollie threw off the blanket and lifted the hem of his shirt, revealing the white gauze on his stomach. "Mommy, it doesn't hurt. The doctor said I was brave."

Camilla reached out and touched his head. His hair felt a little prickly.

"Thank you," Camilla said.

Ollie lowered his head, staring at the scattered cube pieces on the blanket. "Mommy, I'm sorry. I used to yell at you. I said you were just a nanny. I was a bad kid. Ms. Nelson lied to me."

"You're not a bad kid," Camilla said.

Ollie looked up at her. His eyes were red. "Will you still want me?"

Camilla looked into his eyes.

"You're my son," Camilla said. "I'll take care of you and bring you home."

Outside the door, Theodric stood there in a faded white shirt. He heard everything.

He walked in.

"Camilla," Theodric called.

Camilla didn't look at him. She took the peeled apple from the nurse and handed it to Ollie. Ollie took it and bit into it.

Caspian stepped forward, blocking the space between Camilla and Theodric.

Theodric looked at Caspian. "Move. This is a family matter. You're an outsider."

Caspian didn't move. He was half a head taller than Theodric.

"You've been stripped of visitation rights. The court summons will be delivered to your basement rental this afternoon," Caspian said.

Theodric looked at Camilla. "Camilla, you're going to take Ollie away from me? You can't do this."

Camilla stood and turned to face Theodric.

"I'm not taking him away. I'm reclaiming what's mine," Camilla said. "You have no capacity to raise him."

Theodric took a step forward. "I'm bankrupt. I have nothing left. You won't even leave me my son? How can you be so heartless?"

"Your bankruptcy is your own doing," Camilla said. "You drained the company for Serena. You transferred funds offshore. This is your karma."

At the mention of Serena's name, Theodric's face went pale.

"Serena… she was sentenced," Theodric said, his voice dropping.

Flynn walked in from outside, holding that day's evening paper.

"Ms. Lavien, latest news. Hot off the press." Flynn handed the paper to Camilla.

Camilla took it. Front page headline in bold type.

[Influencer Pianist Hired Hitman, Sentenced to Life in Prison. Personal Assistant Turns State's Witness]

Camilla read the headline and skimmed the article.

Theodric looked at the back of the paper. "She's locked up. She's never getting out. Camilla, let's start over. I'll find work. I'll take care of you."

Camilla threw the paper into the nearby trash can. It landed on top of the apple peels.

"Theodric, do you not understand human language?" Camilla said.

She walked up to him. They stood close.

"When I was dying, you were with Serena doing her rehab. You bought her bags."

"When I was being torn apart online, you stood by and watched. You issued a statement distancing yourself from me."

"When Ollie took a knife for me, where were you? You were at home staring into space."

Camilla looked at him, her tone flat, emotionless.

"I don't hate you. I just find you disgusting. Looking at you makes me want to throw up. Physically."

Theodric stepped back. His back hit the door frame with a dull thud.

He looked at Camilla. He knew it was over. There wasn't even hatred left between them. Just disgust.

"Sign it," Caspian said, pulling a folded document from his suit jacket and handing it to Theodric.

"Custody waiver agreement," Caspian said. "Sign it, and the Mitchell Group will leave you a house in the suburbs. Don't sign, and you'll be sleeping on the street tonight. Your creditors are looking for you."

Theodric looked at the document. Black and white. He looked at Ollie.

Ollie hid behind Camilla, holding the half-eaten apple. He didn't look at him.

Theodric took the pen Caspian offered, removed the cap, and signed at the bottom. The nib tore the paper slightly. The ink bled.

He threw the document back at Caspian and walked out.

His stumbling footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing fainter.

Camilla looked at the doorway.

"It's over," she said.

Caspian folded the document and handed it to Flynn.

"Process this. Use the expedited channel," Caspian said.

Flynn nodded and left with the document.

Caspian looked at Camilla. "Are you tired?"

"A little. My legs ache from standing," Camilla said.

Caspian bent down, slipped one hand under her knees and the other around her back, and lifted her up.

Camilla startled and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Put me down. I can walk. There are wheelchairs in the hallway," Camilla said.

"You walk too slowly. Wheelchairs are dirty," Caspian said, carrying her out of the room.

Nurses in the hallway stopped and stared at them.

Camilla buried her face in Caspian's shoulder. The suit fabric was slightly stiff, with a faint woody cologne scent.

Back in the top-floor room, Caspian set her on the bed and pulled the blanket over her.

"You're being discharged tomorrow. The car's arranged," Caspian said.

"Where to?"

"My place." Caspian pulled over a chair and sat down. "Holden's already cleaned your room. He dusts it three times a day. New carpet too."

Camilla looked at him. "I'm bringing Ollie."

"Fine," Caspian said. "My house is big. One more bowl of rice won't hurt. The chef can make kids' meals."

Camilla smiled faintly.

Caspian looked at her smile.

Caspian thought: 'Worth every penny. Bought some peace of mind.'

Flynn poked his head in from outside. He knocked. "Mr. Mitchell. Dr. Smith is heading back to his country. He wants to see Ms. Lavien before he leaves. Flight's at three this afternoon."

Dr. Smith walked in wearing a gray suit, briefcase in hand.

"Ms. Lavien, you're a medical miracle. My dissertation is set," Dr. Smith said.

"Thank you for curing me," Camilla said.

"Don't thank me. Thank Mr. Mitchell here. He spent ten million dollars buying shares in my research institute and forced me to come. If I didn't, he'd have put me out of a job." Dr. Smith shrugged, spreading his hands.

Camilla looked at Caspian.

Caspian looked out the window. "Just an investment. That institute has great prospects. Return rate over twenty percent."

Dr. Smith laughed. "Yes, very promising. Stay healthy. Goodbye."

He turned and walked out, his leather shoes clicking on the floor.

The room was left with just the two of them.

Camilla looked at Caspian.

"Ten million dollars," Camilla said. "I can't pay that back. I couldn't earn that in a lifetime of painting."

"You don't have to pay it back," Caspian said, turning to look at her.

Camilla froze. She stared at him.

Caspian stood and walked to the bedside.

He leaned down, looking into her eyes, their gazes level.

"I need a wife. Holden needs a mom. Think it over. Legal cohabitation," Caspian said.

Camilla said nothing.

"No rush. Take your time. You have a lifetime to think about it. I can wait." Caspian straightened and headed for the door.

Camilla watched his retreating back.

"Caspian," she called.

Caspian stopped. Turned around.

"I've thought it over," Camilla said.

Caspian stood there, looking at her.

"Good. We'll get the marriage license tomorrow," he said, pulling open the door and walking out.