Chapter 8
Camelia’s POV
My mom and I were finally getting along again, and things seemed to be heading in the right direction. Everything was settling down–except for one thing: Darell.
Ever since our last encounter, he hadn’t stopped pestering me. At first, he bombarded me with messages, which I quickly blocked. But when that didn’t work, he started showing up unannounced.
One weekend morning, when I was enjoying some much–needed extra sleep, the relentless sound of my doorbell yanked me awake. Irritated and half–asleep, I stomped to the door, ready to unleash anger.
my
“Darell, do you not realize today‘ s weekend?” I snapped the moment I opened the door. “Or are you so used to being the almighty CEO that you‘ ve
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forgotten the concept of personal time?”
He looked taken aback, almost… hurt, which only fueled my annoyance.
“Camelia, you used to adjust your schedule to match mine…” he muttered.
“That was before!” I cut him off.
Back then, when we were in love, I didn’t mind rearranging my day just to spend a little more time with him or have a few
extra conversations. But now? Those
moments were over, and he still seemed to think I owed him that devotion.
“Can’t you understand that things are different now?” I said with a cold laugh.
“We‘ re divorced, Darell.”
I tossed the words out casually, enjoying the way his face darkened. Before he could respond, I started closing the door, but he shoved his way inside, shouting like a madman.
His commotion woke Kennard, who had
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crashed at my place last night after working late. Half–asleep, Kennard wandered out of the bedroom, wearing nothing but a towel slung loosely around
his waist.
“Camelia, who’s at the door?” he mumbled, his voice groggy.
For a moment, I was too distracted by the sight of his toned abs to process his question.
Darell, however, was not amused. He pushed me behind him, glaring at Kennard with barely concealed fury. “And who the hell are you?” he demanded.
Annoyed, I stepped around Darell,
snapping back, “Who he is and who I spend my time with is none of your business. We‘ re divorced, remember?”
my
I rolled my eyes and, on impulse, let hand wander over Kennard’s abs, savoring the tension that rippled through him. His slight reaction only made it more
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entertaining.
But Darell wasn‘ t having it. “Camelia, look at yourself!” he barked. “You‘ re so shameless now–it’s embarrassing!”
His words lit a fire in me. Shameless?
Embarrassing? Who did he think he was?
“What I do with my life is my choice. It has nothing to do with you,” I said firmly, crossing my arms.
Any lingering amusement evaporated as my irritation with him boiled over. I turned to leave, but before I could retreat to my room, Kennard pulled me into his arms with one smooth motion.
Holding me protectively, he stared down Darell, his tone calm but laced with challenge. “I‘ m spending time with my girlfriend in her home. What exactly does that have to do with you?”
“Maybe you should focus on running your company instead of sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong,” he added with
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a pointed look. “Besides, it wouldn’t have ended up in the state it’s in now if you only had.”
Kennard’s words were sharp and deliberate, and I could tell he wasn’t just mocking Darell–he genuinely pitied him. My curiosity sparked. Just how badly had Darell run his company into the ground?
Darell, clearly stung, raised his fist, ready to throw a punch.
But at this moment, I’d had enough. The shouting was giving me a headache.
“That’s enough!” I shouted, shoving him toward the door.
“You‘ re too emotional right now. Go home and calm down,” I said, echoing the
very words he used to say to me when we were together.
As I locked the door behind him, I couldn’t help but smirk. Funny how life has a way of coming full circle.
Turning back around, I was immediately
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faced with Kennard‘ s bare chest–so close it made my face heat up. The memory of my earlier actions sent embarrassment rushing to my cheeks.
I avoided meeting his gaze, but he wasn’t letting me off the hook. With a mock pout, he pressed me gently against the door, his eyes filled with playful accusation.
