CHAPTER 18

Camellia paced her apartment, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of the mounting danger surrounding her. The evidence she and Dan had uncovered was promising, but every step forward felt like walking a tightrope above a pit of vipers. She had just set a kettle on the stove when a firm knock on her door shattered the fragile moment.

Her pulse quickened, she wasn't expecting anyone. Had Harrison discovered her betrayal already? Slowly, she approached the door, her fingers gripping the handle of her kitchen knife, tucked behind her back.

"Who is it?" She called, her voice steady despite the tension coiling in her chest.

"It's Zayden," came the deep reply.

Cameilla frowned but unlocked the door. Zayden stepped inside, his broad frame casting a shadow over the room. His expression was grim, his dark eyes locking into hers as he closed the door behind him.

"What are you doing, here?" She asked, crossing her arms.

"We need to talk," his tone leaving no room for argument.

“About what?” she replied, her tone sharp. “I"m busy, Zayden. I don’t have time for this." Her emotions almost got the best of her as she stared at him. She missed him— so much, but this isn't the time for affection.

Zayden's jaw tightened. "I'm here to warn you. You need to stop investigating Daisy and Harrison."

Camellia let out a bitter laugh. "You came all the way here to tell me that? Stop wasting your breath, Zayden. I'm not stopping."

“You don’t understand what you’re dealing with,” he said, stepping closer. “These people—Harrison, Daisy—They’ll kill you without a second thought. If you keep digging, you won’t live to see the end of it.”

"Why do you care?" She snapped. "Why are you even here?"

Zayden ran his hand through his head, his frustration evident. “Because I care, damn it! I’ve seen what they’re capable of. I’ve spent my life cleaning up their messes, trying to keep people like you out of their crosshairs.”

Cameilla's heart twisted at his words, but she refused to let it show. "I don't need your protection, Zayden. I'm not afraid of them," she said, though her voice wavered a little.

Zayden stepped closer, his hands holding her wrist gently as the proximity sends a jolt through her. "You should be Cam," he said in a low tone. "Even if they don't kill you outrightly, they would make sure to destroy everything you believe in. I'm afraid Catherine could be caught in this crossfire.

At the mention of her sister, Camellia’s resolve wavered, but only for a moment. She pulled her wrist free, stepping back. "I can’t stop. I won’t. They need to pay for what they did to my family. Do you know what it’s like to watch your parents burn? To see your sister scarred for life? I have to do this.”

Zayden's voice softened, his expression pained. "I don't what to lose you, Cam. And your parents, I'm sure they don't want you to lose your innocent self in this."

His words stirred emotions inside her—she wasn't ready to confront. "I'm not innocent, Zayden. I have done a lot of things that I'm not proud of, and I don't intend to stop now," she said, her voice low but firm.

"Cam, listen—"

"Please leave," she interrupted, turning her back at him. "Your love, your care—I don't deserve any of it."

For a while, the silence stretched between them, before Zayden nodded and walked out, slamming the door shut.

Camellia exhaled a shaky breath, she didn't realise she was holding. Her placed her hand on her chest. Her heart ached. Aching for that one man —the man who cared and loved her, more than he let on.

Across the country, Harrison eyes were on the surveillance reports of his men, detailing her movements and activities in the past two days. There were too many coincidence happening: she worked at the bar where kassy, his previous mistress worked, she was also Zayden's "supposed" business partner, although he hasn't fully confirmed their relationship, and then his mind wandered back to their first meeting as he realised she might have purposely seduced him.

"I think she's onto me," he muttered to himself.

His phone buzzed and he answered it without hesitation. "Sir," the voice on the other end began. "We've tracked her to her apartment, and she has been meeting frequently with two others, but we haven't identified them yet."

"Keep watching. And if they make a move let me know immediately," he ordered.

"Yes sir."

Harrison ended the call and leaned back in his chair.

"I should play this game with you. Let me set up another meeting another meeting." With that, he sent Cameilla that reads: "let's meet this weekend to make up for last time. Would you be free?"

As he hit the send button, a slow smile spread across his face.

At the Blackwood mansion, Daisy reclined in a rose-scented bath, her naked skin glowing in the dim light. Behind her stood Ben, her right-hand man and secret lover, his hands folded respectfully, though his presence was anything but formal.

Daisy was far older than Ben, but she’d never let that stop her. Their affair had begun years ago, filling the void left by her inattentive husband. Now, as always, Ben was there—both her confidant and her indulgence.

Daisy's mind was a storm of thoughts. What could Zayden be up to? Why could he possibly be digging into the fire accident that happened years ago? The one she and Ben had orchestrated carefully. She thought it was buried for good, but Zayden's sudden interest unsettled.

"Ben," she said, her voice, a mix of steel and silk. "Why would Zayden concern himself with that accident?"

Ben stepped closer, his expression calm but attentive. "I don't know yet, but he's been investigating about the fire, and it's not a coincidence. But I'll find out exactly what it is."

Daisy smirk. "Good. Keep a close watch on him. Zayden has always been a nuisance, but if he becomes a threat…” She let the sentence hang, her meaning clear.

Ben nodded, his lustful gaze lingering on her more than necessary. "I'll handle it."

"See that you do," she murmured. "But before that," she stepped out of the bath and walked inside the room, and laid on the king-size bed. "Come here," she said with a seductive smile, tapping the bed gently.

"Okay ma," Ben answered. He pulled off his suit and trousers, leaving him only in his pants, his cock almost bulging out. He climbed on the bed beside her, and locked his lips with hers.

"Ooh," a moan escaped from Daisy's mouth. Ben's hand trailed down, and rested on her nipples as he squeezed and pinched it with his fingers, and while he rubbed his hand frantically on her clit which caused her to shiver.

Their moans resonated across the room, a mix of lust and longing.