46

46

Javier

The hot water streamed down our bodies. Camille was there with me, under the shower, her hair soaked and clinging to her face, her skin wet and glistening. She looked calm, almost vulnerable—but not in a bad way. It was as if she was finally allowing herself to relax, even if just for a moment.
I ran my hands over my face, trying to shake off the surreal feeling of having her so close again after weeks of emotional distance. I never thought we’d get to this point—sharing the space under the hot water like the outside world didn’t exist.
She lifted her face to look at me, her eyes shining with something that seemed like hesitation, or maybe uncertainty. I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips at that expression.
“Camille,” I began, my voice softer than I expected. “Maybe you should get out of the house a bit. Do something. Breathe the outside air.”
She tilted her head, frowning as she processed my words. Her silence was almost deafening, but I kept my gaze on her, waiting for a response.
“Leave the house?” she asked, as if the idea were almost absurd.
“Yes. I think it would be good for you, without… the bodyguards. For both of us. You need to reconnect with something outside of here, something beyond everything that’s happened.”
For a moment, she just stood there, seemingly considering my words. Then finally, she nodded slowly.
“Maybe you’re right.” Her voice was low, but there was a spark of conviction in it.
I felt a small sense of relief. It was progress. Small, but still progress. I didn’t want her to go back to how she was fifteen days ago.
We finished the shower in silence, a strange comfort lingering between us. But as I stepped out of the bathroom, the scene that awaited me made my blood boil.
Suzu was standing in the middle of the room, arms crossed and a serious expression on her face. Her eyes locked on me as soon as the door opened, and I could see the judgment etched into every line of her posture.
“So this is the new plan?” she began, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Get Camille pregnant again?”
I frowned, irritation rising inside me like a flame.
“Suzu,” I growled, wrapping a towel around my waist and stepping forward. “That’s none of your business.”
She didn’t back down, keeping her chin high and her eyes locked on mine.
“None of my business?” she repeated, her voice rising. “All of this affects all of us, Javier. She shouldn’t be here, and you know it! Send her back to the Mendonzas. Focus on what matters.”
I stepped toward her, still wet, but my anger fueling every movement. Grabbing her arm, I pulled her out of the room, leaving Camille still in the bathroom. I shut the door hard behind us and faced Suzu in the hallway.
“I’m in charge here, Suzu,” I hissed, my voice low and full of threat. “And the one who decides who stays or leaves is me. Not you.”
She let out a short laugh, filled with disdain.
“In charge? You look more like someone letting emotions cloud your judgment. Camille doesn’t belong in this world, Javier. You know that as well as I do. She’s a distraction. A weakness. And that could destroy us.”
“Watch what you say,” I warned, stepping closer, my body tense. “Camille is my wife. My wife, Suzu. And she’s in her own home. I’m not sending her anywhere, and you better start showing her some respect.”
She narrowed her eyes like my words were a direct challenge.
“Respect? Respect for someone who can’t even handle the life she chose? She should be with her family, where she belongs, and you should be focusing on what truly matters. Not babying her because she lost a child.”
My fist clenched instinctively, but I forced myself to stay in control. I knew Suzu was provoking me, trying to push my buttons, but that didn’t justify losing my temper.
“Camille is not going anywhere.” My voice came out low, but firm, the kind of tone that meant the conversation was over. “And if you can’t accept that, maybe you’re the one who should reconsider your position here.”
Suzu shook her head in disbelief.
“You’re letting her weaken you. You know it. You used to be ruthless. And now? You’re losing focus.”
“I’m more focused than ever,” I said, stepping forward, my height towering over hers. “My focus is on protecting my wife and making sure she has everything she needs. I’m not sacrificing that to satisfy your whims or your twisted sense of loyalty.”
For a moment, she didn’t say anything, just stared at me, eyes full of defiance—and something that looked almost like pain. Then finally, she shook her head, like she was giving up.
“I’m not giving up on this, Javier. You’re making a mistake, and you know it.” With those words, she turned and walked down the hallway, her steps firm.
I stood there in the middle of the hallway, the heat of anger still pulsing through my veins. I took a deep breath, trying to pull myself together before going back into the room.
When I opened the door, I found Camille sitting on the edge of the bed, her eyes curious but not asking anything.
I walked over to her, still in my towel, and sat beside her. I didn’t say a word, but I took her hand, squeezing it gently.
Because despite everything, I knew I was doing the right thing. Camille was mine, and I’d do whatever it took to keep protecting her—even if the whole world stood against us.