Page 26 of Staging Love
She desperately wanted this evening to be over, to escape upstairs where she could finally have a private moment with Jade. The weight of her secret pressed down on her, making each breath feel labored. She knew she needed to come clean about everything - the will, the real reason behind their arrangement, and most importantly, how her feelings had transformed into something genuine and profound.
Jade's hand was warm in hers, their fingers intertwined. "You okay?"she whispered.
Camilla managed a small smile. "Just tired," she lied. "It's been a long day."
“Then maybe we should – " Jade stopped herself when Theresa approached with a calculated smile and a gleam in her eye that instantly set Camilla on edge. Her cousin perched herself on the arm of the sofa, wine glass in hand, looking for all the world like a cat who'd cornered a particularly juicy mouse.
"Well, isn't this cozy," she purred, her gaze flicking between Camilla and Jade. "You two certainly make a picture-perfect couple. A little unconventional perhaps… After all, you are the first gay couple in our family, but beautiful nevertheless."
Camilla tensed, every instinct screaming danger. "Thank you, Theresa," she replied. "That's kind of you to say."
Theresa's smile widened, showing too many teeth. "You know, I was just thinking about how wonderfully convenient it all is."
"Convenient?" Jade asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Oh yes," Theresa continued, leaning in conspiratorially. "I mean, getting engaged just before Uncle Weston passed away. And with that interesting clause in his will about Camilla needing to be married to take over the company... Well, it's almost like she knew he’d written it in his will… Did he discuss his will with you, Camilla?"
Camilla felt the blood drain from her face. Beside her, Jade stiffened, her hand going slack in Camilla's grip. The room seemed to tilt on its axis as Camilla struggled to process what was happening.
"I'm not sure I understand," Jade said slowly, her voice carefully controlled.
Theresa's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Oh my, didCamilla not tell you? Uncle Weston left a stipulation in his will that Camilla had to be married within six months of his passing to inherit control of Cupid's Gifts. Otherwise, it would go to me." She paused, letting the information sink in. "Isn't that right, Camilla?"
All eyes in the room were now on them. Camilla felt as if she were drowning, desperately searching for words that wouldn't come. She looked at Jade, seeing confusion and hurt warring in her expression.
"I... That's not..." Camilla stammered, her mind racing to find a way out of this nightmare.
"It's just so fortunate that you two fell in love and got engaged right when Camilla needed it most," Theresa pressed on, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Talk about a Christmas miracle."
Jade slowly withdrew her hand from Camilla's, the loss of contact feeling like a physical blow. Camilla's heart sank, certain that this was the moment everything would fall apart. She opened her mouth, ready to confess everything, to beg for understanding, but before she could speak, Jade's demeanor changed.
"Oh, of course, the will," she said, her voice surprisingly calm and steady. She even managed a small laugh, as if suddenly remembering something trivial. "Yes, Camilla told me about that, but I honestly forgot all about it. We were already engaged, after all, so it didn't really matter."
Camilla's head whipped around to stare at Jade, her eyes wide with disbelief and gratitude. Jade was covering for her, playing along with their charade even in the face of this revelation.
Jade continued, her voice growing warmer as she spoke. "And Camilla was planning on introducing me to you all anyway. We'd already been to Ohio to meet my family, so itonly made sense I’d meet her family before the wedding." She frowned as she looked up at Theresa. “Wait… did you really think this was an engagement of convenience?”
Theresa's triumphant expression faltered, her plan to cause trouble clearly backfiring. She opened her mouth to say more, but Uncle Robert cut her off.
“Of course we don’t think that. Theresa, that's quite enough," he said firmly. "This is neither the time nor the place for such conversations. Questioning their beautiful relationship on Christmas Eve, of all nights."
Aunt Lara nodded in agreement, her usually serene face marred by a frown. "Robert's right, dear. This is a time for celebration, not interrogation."
Theresa's face flushed red, and she stood abruptly, nearly spilling her wine. "I was just curious," she muttered, but the fight had gone out of her voice.
Camilla could feel the weight of her family's stares, some curious, some concerned, and in Theresa's case, openly hostile. The cheerful Christmas music playing in the background now seemed jarringly out of place.
Jade put a hand on her thigh, drawing her attention. "Guys," she said, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear, "I'm actually feeling pretty tired. It's been such a wonderful day, but I think I might turn in early if that's alright with everyone."
Camilla nodded eagerly, grateful for the escape Jade was offering. "Yes, me too," she agreed quickly. "We've had such a lovely time, but it's been a long day."
Uncle Robert's face softened, the tension leaving his shoulders. "Of course, girls. You go on up. We'll see you in the morning for a late Christmas breakfast."
There was a chorus of goodnights and Merry Christmases as Camilla and Jade made their way out of the greatroom. Camilla could feel Theresa's eyes boring into her back, but she didn't turn around. Her mind was already racing ahead to the conversation she knew was coming.
As soon as they were out of sight, Jade let go of her hand and walked up the stairs ahead of Camilla.
Camilla felt the sudden absence of her touch like a physical ache. The warmth of Jade's hand, which had been a constant comfort throughout the past days, was now replaced by a cold emptiness.
