Chapter 287
Chapter 287:
They stood in silence, watching the city below. After a long while, Camille spoke.
“How long have you known?”
“Since just after her surgery,” Alexander admitted. “She made me promise not to tell you.”
“And you always keep your promises,” Camille said bitterly.
“Not always.” Alexander’s voice was gentle. “But I try to respect the wishes of people I care about. Victoria wanted to tell you herself, when she felt you were ready.”
“When would that have been? At her funeral?”
“She was trying to protect you.”
“That’s what she said too.” Camille’s grip tightened on the railing. “But it feels more like she didn’t trust me. Didn’t think I was strong enough to handle the truth.”
Alexander turned to face her. “Victoria has never doubted your strength, Camille. If anything, she was protecting herself. From your grief. From having to face what her death would mean to you.”
Camille hadn’t considered that. That Victoria, stoic, practical Victoria, might be afraid of emotional vulnerability. Of seeing her own pain reflected in Camille’s eyes.
“I called her ‘Mommy,’” Camille whispered, still shocked by her own outburst. “I’ve never called her that before.”
Alexander’s expression softened. “What did she do?”
“She cried,” Camille said, the memory fresh and painful. “I’ve never seen her cry before.”
Alexander pulled her into his arms then, holding her as fresh tears came. “That’s because you gave her something she never thought she’d have again after Sophia died. A daughter who loves her as a mother, not just as a mentor or boss.”
Camille buried her face against his chest, allowing herself to break in a way she couldn’t in front of Victoria. Alexander’s arms tightened around her, solid and warm against the cold wind.
“I can’t lose her,” Camille sobbed. “I can’t do this without her.”
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“Yes, you can,” Alexander said, his voice firm but gentle. “It will hurt. It will feel impossible. But you are stronger than you know, Camille. Victoria sees that strength in you, even if you don’t see it yourself.”
Camille pulled back enough to look at him, her vision blurred with tears. “How do I face this? How do I walk into that gala tonight and pretend everything is normal when my world is falling apart?”
Alexander wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “One step at a time. One moment at a time. And not alone.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Never alone.”
Camille closed her eyes, drawing strength from his presence. After a while, her breathing steadied. The initial shock of Victoria’s revelation was fading, leaving a dull ache in its place.
“We should go back down,” she said eventually. “Victoria needs us. And we have a gala to prepare for.”
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