Page 51 of Theirs to Ruin

"You can't be serious," I said, my voice rising in disbelief.

His expression softened. “Camille, I don’t think you understand what’s happening here.”

“I understand that a girl has died and that I almost died with her.”

“Precisely.” He sighed, rubbing his temples. "My own daughter, found at a crime scene.”

How inconvenient for you.

"I swear I didn't do it," I said, my voice shaking. Did my own father think I murdered Ava?

“I know that, but do you really think that matters? I’m trying to protect you here.”

I swallowed hard, trying to summon the strength to convince him. “Dad, I know I resisted CU in the beginning, but I’m doing better. I can make Tier One, and gain alliances far more important than an advantageous marriage. I know I can. I have almost three years to do it. Let me finish.Please.”

He looked at me, skepticism evident in his eyes. “Danger seems to be following you and to be honest, I’m worried. Ava’s parents…if they think you had something to do with her death, they’re going to be out for blood. And other kids at school, you don’t think they’ll judge you? Suspect you? Torment you? I don’t want you to have to deal with all of that.”

“I can handle it, Dad,” I told him. “Let me continue my studies. Let me prove myself.”

He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The weight of the world seemed to be on his shoulders, and for a moment, I saw my father not as the formidable politician but as a tired man, worn out by his responsibilities.

I blinked back tears. “Please.”

My dad turned to Gus. “What do you think, Gus?”

What the hell, Dad? He was asking his bodyguard if I should stay at school?

I glared at Gus who smirked. “You’re always saying she needs to toughen up. This could be her chance.”

Bastard, I thought, knowing how much he’d love to see me fail.

“Hmm.” Dad looked at me, his gaze unwavering. Every second felt like an hour as I waited for his response.

“Alright,” he finally said. “But this is against my better judgment. You’ll stay at Crimsonvale and continue your studies, assuming the school allows that. But do not talk about what happened with anyone. And if anything else happens that I should know about...”

“Nothing will happen, Dad. Thank you.”

He nodded and checked his watch. “I have to go,” he said. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. “Take care of yourself.” His voice was almost mechanical as he said goodbye to Bianca, kissed her cheek, then left the room. With a final look in my direction, Gus followed him.

Bianca stared at me with a mix of worry and sorrow in her eyes.

“I wanted to say something,” she said. “Back you up. But…”

I nodded. “Dad would have just seen that as me being weak. You did the right thing.”

“Did I?” She hesitated, then asked, “Are you sure you want to stay, Camille?”

“You’ve lost faith in me, too? What about me being a storm?”

“You almostdrowned. And now you have Dante Morillo panting after you, and?—”

“And you don’t think I can handle him?”

“The better question is, do you really want to handle any of this? Maybe we should try to convince Dad to let you go to Yale, after all.”

I shook my head. “The time for that has passed.”

“Is that an academic assessment or one being made becauseyou’repanting after Dante just as much as he is for you?”

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