Thirty seven
Kamille’s POV
I had just finished having my bath, stepping out of the bathroom, I couldn’t help but allow my eyes linger on on all the things Zeke had put in place for me. He got me toiletries, towels, nightwear, comfortable flips, pillows, the soft bed and even the fact that we were in a private ward in the hospital. He was very thoughtful and caring.
Hush now, don’t overthink it. I sighed.
I dressed up and stepped out of the bathroom back into the room. I looked over at Royer, he was sleeping peacefully.
I turned my attention to the bed and tried to smoothen out the wrinkles in the bed. Taking a deep breath, I finally settled into bed, the softness enveloping me like a comforting embrace.
“Damn, this is quite relieving.” I whispered to myself.
The entire day was dramatic enough and all I needed was a peaceful night’s rest. But before I could grace that realm, my phone buzzed with a flurry of notifications. Frowning, I picked it up to see a string of missed calls and texts from Chris. “Oh fuck! How could I have forgotten Chris?” I muttered under my breath.
As I was about to reply to his messages, another message popped up on my screen. It was from Amanda, and the words sent a surge of adrenaline through my veins.
Liz Manor had been detained and stripped of her rights and privileges as a fighter.
A smirk tugged at the corners of my lips as I read the message again. “Looks like I’ve won this round.” I whispered triumphantly to myself, relishing in the sweet taste of victory.
With Liz out of the picture, I decided the spotlight would be on Gabriel Manor next. “One by one, they’ll all pay for what they did to me.” I said, feeling a sense of determination coursing through me.
As I laid back against the pillows, my mind raced with plans and strategies. This was just the beginning of me getting back all that belonged to me and nothing would stand in my way.
Sudden, Royer’s sneeze broke the silence in the room. I immediately turned my attention to him, my earlier thoughts pushed aside by concern. Rushing over to his bed, I checked to make sure he was okay, relieved when I saw him sniffling but otherwise fine.
“You scared me there, little guy.” I said softly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.
As I watched him sleep peacefully, my mind wandered back to a time when hospitals held a much darker significance for me. It was a memory I had tried to bury deep within the recesses of my mind, but now it resurfaced with a vivid clarity.
I remembered the last time I had been in a hospital, Torin was the one lying in Royer’s place. It had been a terrifying ordeal, one that still haunted me to this day. Tyris had begged for a cat, and in my ignorance, I hadn’t realized that Torin had fur allergies.
After I got her the cat, Tyris proudly brought the cat home and showed it to Torin. Torin’s reaction had been severe, sending him into anaphylactic shock.
I had been alone, clueless, and overwhelmed as I rushed Torin to the hospital. The panic had gripped me tightly as I navigated the chaotic corridors, the fear of losing my child looming over me like a dark cloud.
The hospital had been choked with the sounds of machines beeping, doctors shouting orders, and patients crying out in pain. And in the midst of it all, I had felt utterly helpless, my heart pounding in my chest as I prayed for Torin’s recovery.
I did not have enough money back then to afford a hospital like the Reid’s hospital and the area we were in did not have any of the sophisticated hospitals around and I also could not afford a Nanny for my kids.
I had had to beg the nurses to bend the rules so my three kids could stay with me, violating the one-person rule in the room. I had been desperate, with no one else to turn to for help.
But unlike that dreadful night, this time was different. This time, I wasn’t alone. I had people around me, friends who had become my family and I had a nanny to assist me. The contrast was stark, and it filled me with a profound sense of gratitude.
I also had Zeke, someone I could surprisingly trust with the well-being of my children.
OUR children.
It seemed only fair that I confide in him about the kids. He deserved to know. But first, I have to ensure that I execute all the plans I have for the Manors.
As I stood, my mind tilted to the fact that Zeke and Ellen were now divorced, causing memories of my own divorce to flood my mind.
Ellen who was supposed to be my sister, had been a constant source of pain and turmoil throughout my marriage. The emotional and psychological abuse I endured at her hands had left scars that ran deep. Zeke had been her fucking accomplice.
But now, as I thought about their marriage and subsequent divorce, a surge of anger washed over me. After all the suffering I had endured, all the sacrifices I had made, it felt like a slap in the face to see them divorce and move on so easily.
“Fuck that.” I muttered under my breath, clenching my fists in frustration. I refused to let their actions dictate my emotions any longer. I had fought too hard to reclaim my life, to let their toxicity poison my spirit.
My phone pinged with another message from Chris jolting my mind back to the present. My heart sank as I read his words, the guilt of not reaching out to him hung heavily on me.
He ran after me at the restaurant but could not find me and has been trying to reach me since. I kept getting distracted one way or the other and had not replied him since then.
I covered Royer with a blanket and made my way back to my bed to reply to Chris’s message. As I was about to pick up my phone, I heard Zeke enter the room.
Before I could even turn around, he enveloped me in a tight, comforting hug. Instinctively, I wanted to push him away, to maintain the emotional barrier I had built around myself. But his embrace was warm and soothing, and I found myself melting into it despite my reservations.
I glanced down at my phone, frustration bubbling up inside me. How was I supposed to respond to Chris now that Zeke was here?
Before I could dwell on it further, Zeke pulled away slightly and looked at me with concern etched on his face. “Are you good? Are you okay?” He asked, his voice filled with genuine worry.
My heart raced with a sudden surge of panic. “What’s happening? Is everything okay?” I blurted out, my mind racing with a million worst-case scenarios.RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
Zeke shook his head, his expression tense with anger. “No, it’s not about the kids.” He replied, his face softening a bit.
Relief washed over me, but it was quickly replaced by a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew what Zeke was referring to, even before he spoke another word.
He had seen the videos.
Amanda had said that the videos were everywhere, on all blogs, TV channels and shows. Releasing the videos on the day of her fight took on its desired effect after all.
“I’m fine Zeke.” I said quietly, unable to meet Zeke’s gaze.
He let out a frustrated sigh as his expression softened slightly, but the anger still simmered beneath the surface. “I’m so sorry for all that you went through.” He said gently, his voice filled with empathy.”
I nodded. “Thank you Zeke.” I whispered.