Helen didn''t respond to Austin''s apology.
Seeing her silence, Austin turned and walked away.
She watched his back as he left and let out a deep, weary sigh.
Then she returned to Yates Manor.
In the living room, Cameron and the others were chatting andughing as if
nothing had happened. The mood was light and easy,pletely at odds with the
earlier tension. But Helen couldn''t pretend it hadn''t happened. She walked straight over to Cameron.
The conversation stopped the moment Helen approached. The four of them quieted in unspoken agreement.
Cameron looked up first and said, "Helen?"
"I''m sorry, Cam," Helen said, locking eyes with her. "I didn''t mean for any of this to happen."
Cameron shook her head. "Helen, it''s not your fault. Austin used you."
Jacqueline chimed in, "You''re just too pure-hearted, Helen."
Gavin added, "You''ve been sheltered your whole life."
Before now, Helen had been the only girl in the family, doted on by everyone. She
was kind, innocent, and unguarded, an easy target for someone like Austin.
Levi spoke next, "You can''t be that na?ve anymore. People outside the ind aren''t like us."
Before college, Helen had never even left the ind. She had no idea how harsh the world could be.
Her gaze dropped. "I was stupid," she murmured.
''Let''s be honest. Austin''s face was too damn convincing. That''s what tripped me up.''
Cameron shook her head. "No, Helen. You weren''t stupid. Austin was just incredibly maniptive."
She had once trusted Austinpletely too. She saw something in him, his situation with the Fraser family reminded her of her own growing up in the Wace family. That sense of familiarity made her open her heart without question.
And in return, he stabbed her in the back.
Austin had always been good at pretending.
Helen said softly, "Still, I caused all this. I''m sorry, Cam, I never meant to bring trouble to you."
Cameron knew Helen felt terrible. She stood up and gave her shoulder a gentle pat. "I ept your apology, Helen."
Helen pressed her lips together and nodded. "Thank you, Cam."
Cameron stood and patted Helen''s shoulder.
Then Helen quietly walked out.
Jacqueline took Cameron''s hand, a little emotional. "You''re such a good kid."
After all, it would''ve been understandable if Cameron had held a grudge. No one would''ve med her. But she hadn''t. Not even a little.
13:36 Wed, 18 Jun GR
Cameron smiled. "You think I''m perfect, Mom."
Jacqueline chuckled. "You kind of are."
Levi added with a grin, "Of course she is. She''s my daughter."
Gavin echoed without hesitation, "Cam, you''re wless."
Cameronughed. "You guys are too much."
It was gettingte. After chatting a little longer, everyone went back to their rooms. Cameron had just finished washing up when she saw a message from Bradley.
She sat down, still toweling her damp hair, and opened his text.
Bradley: [Are you asleep? I just got back from thewyer''s. The house feels so empty. What are you up to? What''s Pearl doing?]
He''d also sent a photo of Pearl''s room.
It looked exactly the same as before, but without Pearl in it, it felt strangely hollow. Cameron set the towel down and started typing.
Cameron: [Just got out of the shower. I''m about to go to bed. Brad, why''d you go back there? Isn''t it pretty far from your firm? Pearl''s probably asleep already.]
Bradley replied almost instantly.
Bradley: [I just wanted to see him. I didn''t even realize he wasn''t here until I pulled into the driveway. Then it hit me... that you took him with you. How''s he settling in at the new ce?]
Right then, he was lying on the bed in the same room Cameron had once stayed in at the castle.
She''d been gone for a while now.
But as Bradleyy there, it felt like he could still catch faint traces of the "boy" who used to sleep here... like Cameron had never fully left.
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