Page 79 of Hawthorne

“And best-case scenario?”

“I am the duke, and he is free to live off the family inheritance and marry whomever he wants, while I’ll be the duke, and my mother will still obsess over me. This time around, especially trying to get me married and strengthen our family’s power. Either way, I don’t win.”

“That’s awful.” Her small, delicate hand, which has been absentmindedly playing with the hem of her dress, covers mine.

Her touch is warm and comforting, as if she were encouraging me for what’s ahead. I am ready, but that still doesn’t mean I like it.

“My mum was very attentive and caring with me,” she starts to share with me, and I nod along, letting her know I am listening but not wanting to interrupt. “I think it might have been because my father was never around. She tried to compensate for his absence, but between her, your aunt, and uncle, I never felt unloved.”

I can’t help it. The curiosity gets the best of me and before I realise, I’m asking, “You never met your father?”

“No,” she sighs. “My mother told me that one day I’d know everything, but she died before she could tell me.” Her longing gaze tugs at my heart. If I often feel lonely in this world while still having my own family by my side, I can only imagine how she feels when no one is around anymore. It’s gut-wrenching, and no one should have to go through it.

Then she looks at me with something fierce in her eyes, showing me that despite how hard life has been, she is a survivor. Someone resilient enough to push through no matter what.

“But the truth is, I never needed him or missed him. I was happy and cared for. I can’t complain because I had and still have a good life. I’ve had love around me ever since I was born, and if he wanted to be around, he would. He chose to stay away, and I am choosing to respect that.”

Stunned.

That’s how her words leave me.

With every little detail Camilla chooses to share with me, I am more and more amazed. The kindness, soft fierceness, and love for life, no matter what…it’s completely bewitching.

This woman doesn’t have an evil bone in her body.

But again, I already suspected that.

23

Camilla White

Sunday went by too quickly.

Never in a million years would I think he’d want to be able to spend the day withme. It was the best day off I’ve had in years.

We were able to be ourselves freely and without possible prying eyes. I was even able to fully relax for the first time next to him.

We didn’t have sex. He didn’t even kiss me—on the mouth, at least.

But that didn’t bother me in the least. The connection grew from the conversation, and his lingering touches, forehead kisses, and caresses felt stronger and heavier than a kiss. He had made it clear that the goal was to get to know me better and spend some time with me. And that’s exactly what he did.

It was dreamy. Heartwarming.

Behind all that hard and assertive exterior lies a warm and loving man. Whoever ends up marrying him will be the luckiest woman alive.

“What’s wrong?” Mariah’s voice breaks my reverie.

“Nothing, just deep in thought. Why?”

“You got this sad and longing look in your eyes. Missing your mumma?” She asks with a sad, sheepish smile.

She’s a good girl and tries to keep out gossip as much as she can, even though it’s quite a hard task when working in places like this. In this household, she’s my right hand, being able to do a little bit of everything.

Currently, she’s preparing a chocolate cake. I came to the kitchen a few minutes ago to leave next week’s menu and stayed to catch up with her. She was excited to tell me about her day off and how she had been on a date for the first time in her life.

“Sorry, something you said just reminded me of her,” I lie with a weak smile.

She can’t know the real reason I dozed off.

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