CHAPTER 26

Cameilla stared at the man, her breath catching in her throat. "Murder him? Are you insane?"

The man leaned forward, his eyes filled with didain, and his voice filled with venom. "You think I'm insane. No, I'm desperate. Zayden was the one who destroyed my family, my career and my life on Daisy's orders. He's part of this too. And if you truly want justice, you'll help bring him down."

Cameilla shook her head, her heart pounding as she gripped the edge of the table. "There's a difference between justice and murder. I'm here for answers, and evidences to drag those people down, and not to be involved in your twisted revenge scheme."

The man's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Do you really think you are safe with Zayden by your side. He is definitely fooling you. He and Daisy are cut from the same cloth. You take one side down and the other will come for you. I'm giving you a chance to end this."

"I won't kill anyone," she said firmly, rising to her feet. "And specially not Zayden."

"Then you’ve already made your choice," he replied coldly, leaning back in his seat. "Walk away, and I’ll disappear—but don’t come crying to me when you’re next on their list. Zayden won’t save you. No one will."

Cameilla hesistated, his words cutting into her resolve. Her hands balled into fists as she turned to leave.

But the man's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"One last thing, Cameilla," he said, his tone sharp and venomous. "That fire that took your family? It started with Zayden."

Her steps faltered. She slowly turned her head, her voice trembling. "You are lying. It was Daisy who did it."

The man's eyes darkened as he opened a folder on the table. He slid a photo across the table to her. It was a grainy photo of young Zayden—taken from a distance, but unmistakable. He was standing in front of Cameilla's family building, his back to the camera, but there was something haunting about the image.

"That is a photo of Zayden," the man said, his voice cold. "Taken just before the fire. He was there."

Cameilla's breath hitch as she stared at the image, the same building in the background, the one that burned to the ground. The truth hit her like a tidal wave. Zayden had been there. Had he been involved in the fire.

She looked at the man, her voice trembling. "This doesn't prove anything. He might have been there for other reasons," she defended. She couldn't just believe it that Zayden —her Zayden, the one she loved, trusted, given her heart and body to —was also involved in it.

"Well...I already told you the truth," the man said. Cameilla fixed her eyes on him searching for a hint of lie, but she found nothing.

Cameilla could feel her world crumbling. Without another word, she turned to leave, to get away from this madness. She exited the cafe, her hands trembled, clutching the file like a lifeline.

****

Back at her apartment, Cameilla paced restlessly. Her mind was in turmoil, replaying every moment she had shared with Zayden. All the sweet words, the late-night conversations, the times he held her when she was scared. Could it all have been a lie? Could he have been manipulating her this whole time? The very idea made her sick.

She needed to speak to him, but she wasn't sure if she could handle the truth. Her hands trembled as she dialled Zayden's number. She needed answers.

The phone rang several times before Zayden picked up, his voice came but filled with concern. "Cameilla? What's going on."

"I need to see you. Now."

There was a brief silence, before Zayden spoke again. "Alright. Let's meet at the hotel."

She didn't hesistate, she ended the call, hurrying into a taxi. The ride felt longer than usual. The taxi hasn't halted to a full stop when she jumped out and made her way up to their usual room.

Zayden was waiting for her, standing by the window with a glass of whiskey in his hand. His eyes softened with affection when he saw her.

"Hey, Cam," he said stepping closer. "What's this all about?"

Without a word, Cameilla pulled out the photo. She slammed it down onto the table, her eyes never leaving his. "This," she said, her voice trembling. "I found this. It’s a picture of you standing in front of my family building that burned down fifteen years ago. What were you doing there, Zayden?"

Zayden stared at the photo, his eyes narrowing as realization hit him. "Cameilla... Is this your family house?"

She nodded, her heart racing. Zayden's face fell. He was quiet for a while, before speaking. "I remember now. Daisy had told me...told keep an eye on the house, and report everything to her. I swear I don't know she was going to burn down the house, and I never even thought of it," he said, desperation seeping in his voice.

Cameilla eyes brimmed with unshed tears as she looked at him, dazed.

Zayden continued. "I was just eighteen then—young and stupid. I was a pawn to Daisy, desperate to do anything, hoping that she'd treat me well. Cam, please...." His words caught in his mouth when he realised she wasn't going believe him, no matter his defense.

His words hit her like a slap. He was sorry. He had been there, tangled in it all, even though he didn't know the full extent. The pain, the anger—it all boiled up inside her. She took a step back, trying to keep her composure.

"Why didn't you stop her," her voice cracked. "Why didn't you—"

Zayden stepped forward , but it was already late. Her heart was breaking into pieces all over again. Without thinking, she turned, her leg moving faster than her acts. She needed to leave.

"Cam, wait," Zayden called, but she didn't stop. She ran down the hall, past the elevator, the front door, out into the cold night. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her thoughts swirling in a storm of confusion, anger, and pain.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, but she ignored it, tears blurring her vision as she bolted down the sidewalk, barely aware of the world around her. Zayden was the informant, and his apologies meant nothing now. It won't bring back her family.

The screech of tires cut through the night. She looked up, her heart stopping. The headlights were too bright, the car too close. She froze.

Crash.

In that moment, everything went black.