CHAPTER 25

Cameilla stared at the screen, her hands trembling as a sense of dread washed down on her. Her breath hitched, her heart racing. Who sent this? Is Catherine in danger?

Without hesitation, she grabbed her coat and bolted out of the door, dialling the hospital as she hailed a taxi.

"St. Mary's hospital, how can I assist," the receptionist answered.

"My sister, Catherine Carson," Cameilla said, her voice shaking. “Is she alright? Has anyone visited her today?”

The nurse hesistated, the sound of typing filled the silence. "Ms. Carson is stable. No one has visited, and no unusual is listed in the log, too. Is something wrong?"

Cameilla's heart sank. Of course someone had been there, and they wanted her to know. Was it Daisy or Harrison?

"I'm on my way," she said, ending the call abruptly.

The sterile smell of disinfectant hit her as Cameilla rushed down the hallway. The sight of Catherine’s peaceful face through the glass door brought a momentary sense of relief, but her eyes darted to the corners of the room, searching for anything amiss.

She pushed the door open and froze. On the bedside table next to Catherine's hand, was a small envelope for her.

Her throat went dry as she took it. Opening it carefully, she pulled out a single slip of paper.

"One wrong move and the people you love will pay. This is your only warning."

Her stomach twisted. She looked around, her paranoia heightening. Who had been here? Was someone watching even now?

She sat by Catherine bed for awhile before returning home. She needed to talk to someone—Zayden, Nathan maybe—but after Dan's outburst earlier, she wasn't sure if she could trust someone.

As she stepped inside her apartment, the uneasy feeling of being watched intensified."She checked the lock twice before sitting down at the kitchen table, her hand gripping the edge.

The weight of the situation was suffocating. Whoever was behind this wasn’t just targeting her—they had access to Catherine. And that email was nothing to be taken trivial.

Her thoughts were disrupted by a knock on the door. She froze. Had they come for her?

"Cameilla, it's me," Nathan called out softly. She hesistated but eventually opened the door. Nathan stepped inside, his expression a mix of guilt and concern.

"I know you wanted to be alone, but I couldn't leave things the way they were," he said gently. "Are you okay?"

Cameilla bite her lips, debating if she should tell him about Catherine and the email. She couldn't trust him entirely, but keeping things bottled inside were suffocating.

After a long pause, she sighed. "Someone.... is threatening me and Catherine."

Nathan's brows furrowed, his demeanor shifting instantly. "What do you mean? What happened?"

She handed him the phone to let him read the email. His jaw tightened, his fists clenched at his side.

"This isn't just Daisy," he said, his voice low. "Do you think it's another person pulling the strings?"

Cameilla nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know, but I'm scared Nathan. They are using my sister to get to me."

Nathan sat down across from her, his eyes meeting hers. "Then we fight back. This time, we plan well. Were not letting them win." Then he continued, leaning forward, his expression serious. “We need to figure out who’s behind this. Daisy’s shady, but this feels bigger. Someone wants to control you, Cameilla.”

"I know," she said, her voice trembling. "But where do we start from. If we act recklessly, they might hurt... Catherine."

Nathan rubbed his jaw, deep in thoughts. "First, we'll ensure your sister's safety. I will arrange for a private security to watch over her room. Discreet, but effective."

Cameilla hesistated, not still sure to trust me. "Why are you doing this Nathan? You've never been nice, and I'm not sure how to take this side of you."

Nathan lips curled into a smile. "Because I care, Cameilla. I know I’ve made mistakes, but you don’t have to face this alone.”

She nodded. "Alright, security first. But we need to find out who sent these mails. They have access to my private life—maybe even my home."

Nathan frowned. "We'll get your place checked for bugs and any hidden cameras, tomorrow. Whosoever they are, we'll get them soon."

Cameilla and Nathan worked all through the night, trying to get the source of the email but all to no avail.

****

The next morning, Cameilla received an unexpected call from an unknown number. The voice on the other end was deep and calm.

"Cameilla Carson, I have heard how you've stirred you've stirred quite the storm."

"Who is this?" She demanded, her hand tightening around the phone.

“A friend,” the man replied. “Let’s just say I have a vested interest in seeing Daisy and her cronies fall. But your recent move put you in a dangerous position. You’re walking on thin ice.”

Cameilla's mind raced. "What do you mean? Are you saying you know who is behind this?"

"I know enough. And I'm willing to help —for a price."

Cameilla stomach tightened. "Why should I trust you."

"You shouldn't," he sneered, but you don't have many options, do you? Meet me at Creston bar by 8pm and I'll tell you what I know about the fire that burned down your family home. Come alone."

Her heart surged with hope, but before she could respond the line went dead. But could she trust this stranger? She had her own fair share in the past with officer Nicholas—he promised to help her, only for him to end up dead, and her hopes dashed away.

She would go—if this is the only to end this shenanigans, and focus on her life.

*****

That evening, Cameilla entered the dimly lit café, scanning the room for her mysterious informant. A man in a gray hoodie sitting in the corner raised a hand, beckoning her over.

She approached cautiously, her eyes flickering towards the exit, in case things went south.

"You're brave," the man said as she sat down. "Or maybe just desperate."

"Cut to the chase," she said steely. "What do you know? And what's the price?"

The man raised a file. The man ignored her tone. "Daisy’s dirty dealings are just the tip of the iceberg. She’s part of a larger network—politicians, businessmen, even law enforcement. They’ve been covering for her, and anyone who gets too close ends up silenced," he explained in a low tone. "And then the evidence of the fire, and Mr Ben, he never committed suicide, he was murdered."

Cameilla's heart twisted with pain. Nathan's father? They've speculated that before, but hearing it still stung. "Why are you doing this?"

"Daisy ruined my life," he replied, his voice cold. "I was a warden at the prison where Mr Ben died, but because I refused to aid in the murder, she made sure to set me up for a crime, I didn't commit and I lost my job."

Cameilla didn't respond. It seems Daisy had gotten into everyones bad book. "So what's the price."

The man leaned back, his lips curled into a smirk. "Zayden Blackwood. I need you to help me murder him."

Cameilla blinked, stunned. "What!"