Page 50 of The Weight of Her Silence
She noticed.
“Nate?” Her voice was softer now.
“What is it?”
He stepped away from her.
“Lila collapsed.”
Camille blinked.
The lightness in her expression faltered.
“She what?”
“She has cancer,” he said.
The words hit harder out loud than they had in the hospital.
“Stage four. It’s... it’s everywhere.”
Camille’s lips parted, as if a response might come. But it didn’t.
“I thought it was something treatable,” he went on, pacing.
“I thought we had time. She knew. For months, maybe longer. She didn’t say anything. She was just... living with it while I—”
He stopped himself.
Ran a hand down his face.
Camille crossed the room.
“Nate, I’m so sorry.”
“Are you?” He turned sharply.
“Because I don’t think you get it.”
“I’m not the enemy here—”
“No?” His voice cracked. “Then what are you?”
Camille’s mouth hardened.
“I’m the one who’s been here. I’m the one who’s been listening to you, touching you, holding you when she made you feel like you didn’t exist.”
Nate’s jaw tightened.
“She didn’t make me do anything.”
“You sure about that?” Camille challenged.
“Because you only ever came to me when she made you feel like less. And don’t pretend she didn’t.”
“She was sick,” Nate hissed.
“While I was—God—while I was with you.”
