She is one of the richest runway models in Paris. Her profile still shows that she is married to Troy Robinson.
I look over at Troy. Nancy's presence still strikes him, and now I doubt if he can fulfill his promise and keep me safe.
Chapter twenty-seven
The Last Piece
Troy
Seeing Nancy in my house today confirms my theory that Mother is behind this charade. Nancy may be her last attempt to distract me from Camile. I look up as Nancy walks into the dining room.
I didn't believe Henry when he said Nancy was invited to dinner. I exhale softly and wonder if Mother has lost the meaning of the family dinner. Henry jokes that Nancy is still my legal wife, so she is practically family.
Henry laughs, and I look across the table where Camile sits next to Amelia. Those two are probably gossiping about Henry and me.
I haven't been as interested in women's conversations as I am now. I hope Amelia doesn't know much about Nancy. I hope Camile doesn't get more ideas about her.
“Mom,” I call her a few minutes after Nancy walks inside. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Mom looks around before she stands up. I walk past her and past the star-struck maids stealing glances at Nancy.
I know she is a popular model in Paris, but I am surprised these young girls in Richmond are conversant with the entertainment industry in Paris.
I stop at the patio; I can view the dining room through the transparent glass door. "You invited her to dinner?"
"Do you mean Nancy?" Mom asks. I wish she would stop feigning ignorance about Nancy's sudden appearance.
“Stop pretending you don’t understand me,” I say. “Yes, Nancy. Did you plan all of these?”
Mom sighs loudly. "I just thought I should remind you that you are still legally married to that beautiful woman in my dining room."
“I thought you accepted Camile already,” I reply. “Why did you have to do this?”
“Nancy is still your wife,” she says. “You have to divorce her before you can propose to Camile.”
"How did you know?" I rub my face. "That I will propose to Camile soon?"
Mother shrugs. "Let's just say I know my son more than he thinks I do."
Mother is even viler than I thought. She won't be defeated in this game until I play her own game. I look over my shoulder, and my eyes meet Camile's.
She looks as worried as I am; she frowns as we lock eyes. I take my eyes off her as Mother leaves the patio and goes back into the house.
She kisses Nancy on the cheek and says something I can't hear. I pace the patio a few times before Henry comes to get me.
"Are you okay?" he asks. "What did Mom say about Nancy?"
"I have to divorce Nancy before I can get engaged to Camile," I reply. "You want to marry Camile?" Henry has a smile on his face. "I am happy for you, man. Just get the divorce papers to Nancy and let her sign them."
"If Mother brought Nancy to Richmond, I don't think Nancy is here to sign the papers," I tell him. "I think Nancy is here to frustrate Camile and cause a breakup."
Henry agrees. "What do you want to do?"
“I don’t know,” I reply. “I will think about it, but I don’t know what to do presently.”
Henry pats my back gently. “I think you will figure it out,” Henry offers. “You always figure it out.”
Henry and I return to the dinner table and eat silently. Camile herself is silent for most of the evening, except when she speaks with Amelia or Mother calls on her to comment.