CHAPTER 13

Camellia’s grip tightened around the clutch, her mind racing for a way out. “Zayden, you’re being ridiculous—”

"Do I look like I'm joking?" He interrupted, his voice sharper than she ever heard it.

With no other choice, she pulled her phone from the clutch, he hesitated before placing it in his waiting hand. Her stomach churned as she watch him unlock the screen, his brow furrowing as he scrolled.

Her heart pounded, every second feeling like eternity. What was he looking for? Had he found the recording?

Finally, Zayden handed the phone back to her without a word. She clutched it tightly, relief flooding her body, but his expression remained unreadable.

"Be careful, Cam," he said quietly, his tone both a warning and enigma. "I don't take kindly to being lied to."

Her throat went dry but she forced herself to nod.

As the evening wore on, Zayden escorted Cameilla back to the grand hall, his hand resting protectively on her waist, although the suspicion still lingered making the air between them awkward.

Just as they were nearing a quieter corner, a man approached them, his presence commanding and arrogant. He was tall, with slicked-back hair and a smug grin that screamed trouble. His eyes lingered on Cameilla far too long, and she shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

"Well, well," the man drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "Zayden Blackwood, always the man of surprises. And who's this stunning lady in your arms."

Zayden's eyes darkened immediately. "Derrick, walk away."

Derrick, one of Zayden’s most notorious business rivals, chuckled. “Now, now. Don’t be rude. I was simply admiring your date. Although…” His eyes narrowed, his smirk widening. “She looks familiar. I think I’ve seen her before.”

Camellia's stomach tightened as she instinctively stepped closer to Zayden.

"I don't think you have," Zayden said coldly.

"Oh, I have," Derrick pressed, his voice loud enough to attract other guests. "Isn't she the stripper from the velvet room. The one with the seductive dancing step."

"Enough," Zayden growled, stepping forward, his body shedding Cameilla.

But Derrick wasn’t done. He grinned maliciously, clearly enjoying the chaos he was creating. “Oh, come on. No need to be shy. I’ve seen her moves. She’s quite... flexible, isn’t she?” He leaned closer, his voice taking on a disgusting edge. “How much for a night, sweetheart? I’m sure you’re worth every penny.”

Cameilla’s breath hitched, her face flushing with humiliation. Her hands trembled at her sides as tears threatened to spill.

Before she could respond, Zayden swung. His fists connected to Derrick's jaw with a sickening thud leaving him staggering into a nearby table, glasses shattered and gasps erupted through the room.

"You don't talk to her like that," Zayden growled, his voice deadly.

Derrick quickly recovered, wiping the blood off his lips and smirking. “Touched a nerve, have I? Guess the truth hurts, doesn’t it?”

Zayden lunged again, but security interfere, pulling the two men apart. Camellia stood paralyzed, as every eyes in the room bore into her.

She couldn't stay there another second. Turning abruptly, she bolted for the exit, her vision blurred by tears. Whispers and judgemental stares followed her as she left, the humiliation cuts deeper than she imagined.

Outside the cool breeze hit her like a wave but it did nothing to call her piercing heart. She stumbled onto a secluded area of the estate as she let her tears Flow freely. Her breaths came in sharp, uneven gasps as she tried to steady herself.

Moments later, she heard hurried footsteps behind her.

"Camellia," Zayden called, his voice filled with urgency and concerns.

She turned to him with her tear-streaked face. "Don't, Zayden. Don't say anything."

Zayden stopped a few steps away, his expression pained. “I didn’t want this to happen. I didn’t—”

“I told you this would happen,” she interrupted, her voice trembling with emotion. “I told you I didn’t belong here, Zayden. And tonight just proved it. I was foolish to think I could...” She trailed off, shaking her head bitterly.

"You do belong here," Zayden said firmly stepping closer. "Don't let Derick or anyone else make you feel otherwise.

She looked up at him, her tears glinting in the moonlight. "You don't understand, Zayden. I can never escape this life I have chosen. And now because of me.....you are caught in my mess."

Zayden reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I don’t care about the path you've chosen. I care about you. And I’ll fight anyone who tries to hurt you, no matter who they are.”

His words stirred something in her, a mixture of gratitude and guilt. But the weight of the evening was too much to bear. She stepped back, wrapping her arms around herself.

"This isn't about them, Zayden. It's about me, about us."

His brows furrowed, his expression desperate. "Tell me what's wrong. I can fix it. I can fix us."

“You can’t,” she said softly, her voice breaking. She turned away from him, unable to bear the pain in his eyes. “You have a wife, Zayden. A child on the way. You have a life I have no place in. I can’t keep pretending this... whatever we have... is something it’s not.”

He stepped closer. "My marriage is over, Cameilla. Charlotte and I—”

"It doesn't matter," she interrupted, turning back to face him. Her hands trembled as she gestured between them. “Even if you leave her, even if we somehow make this work, what then? I’ll always be the second woman. The stain on your perfect life. And tonight... tonight proved that I can never escape this life. And I can't let you ruin your life for me."

He reached out again. "You are not ruining anything. You're the only thing that feels real, Cameilla."

Her heart ached at his words, but she forced herself to step back, putting more distance between them. "Zayden, go back to Charlotte. Make it work for your child's sake. You deserve a family.... and I obviously can't give you that."

His eyes glistened with unshed tears. "You are my family, Cameilla. Please don't do this to me. Don't push me away."

She closed her eyes, willing to stay strong. "Goodbye Zayden."

Before he could respond, she turned walking away, each step heavier than the last. The pain in her chest was unbearable, but she knew this was the only way to protect him—from her messed life and from the chaos she brought into his life.

As she disappeared, Zayden stood frozen, his hands clenched at his side. The woman he has fought hard to protect had just walked out of his life, and for the first time in years, he

felt utterly powerless.