Chapter 10
On the phone, the staff member continued patiently confirming, “Your social security number ends in 0321, correct? Ms. Sterling provided the original signed and notarized agreement.”
The original agreement?
Camden thought back to that day in the study when Maya had indeed given him some document.
He’d been completely preoccupied with thoughts of Lily, assumed it was just routine paperwork, and signed without reading a damn word.
Realizing this, Camden rushed into the study. The document that had been on the desk was long gone, but sitting in the center was a box he knew all too well–the one containing all his memories with Lily.
He opened the box. It used to be filled only with mementos of Lily, but now there was something new–a black and white ultrasound photo. Maya’s.
Camden collapsed into the chair, his hands shaking as he held the ultrasound image. Fragments of memory crashed
over him like a tidal wave.
Maya’s pale face, her strange behavior lately, that eerily calm, almost cold attitude.
All the clues connected into one clear path, pointing to a truth he’d refused to see.
Maya knew EVERYTHING about him and Lily. That’s why she left.
The open box sat quietly on the desk, its contents arranged perfectly.
The visual evidence hit Camden’s brain like a sledgehammer, revealing all his lies and betrayal.
When had Maya figured out the truth?
Was it that night when he drunkenly called out Lily’s name? Or even earlier?
He suddenly remembered what he’d said about Maya to Lily: Maya’s so naive, she believes whatever I tell her.
But now he understood–that wasn’t naivety. That was love.
When he’d completely squandered that love, Maya had left with brutal finality, not even giving him a chance to say goodbye.
The realization hit Camden like a punch to the gut, a dull ache spreading through his chest.
But quickly, he rationalized it all away.
04:12 0
1 Ghosted Him and He Lost Everything Looking for Me
Chapter 10
He’d married Maya to pave the way for his forbidden relationship with Lily anyway. Now that Maya was gone, he should focus all his energy on Lily.
As for his marriage to Maya–he told himself that was ancient history.
Time flew by, and soon it was the day of Lily’s discharge. The Harrington family estate had prepared a special
dinner to celebrate.
Camden sat in the living room, suddenly remembering the last family gathering.
Maya had still been there then.
“Uncle Cam, what are you spacing out about?” Lily approached, recovered from her illness and wearing a soft pink dress, her smile radiant.
Camden snapped out of his thoughts and focused on Lily.
Under the watchful eyes of the entire family, Camden looked into her eyes and suddenly took her hand.
The chatter in the living room stopped dead. Everyone turned to stare at them.
Camden opened a ring box, his voice sincere and passionate. “Lily, marry me.”
Instantly, every Harrington face went pale.
Lily’s smile froze. Her eyes darted quickly over the stunned family members before landing on Camden’s father
behind him.
His face was livid.
“Uncle Cam, you… don’t joke around like that.” Lily’s voice was barely audible, her face ghostly white.
“I’m dead serious.”
Camden gripped her hand tighter, pulling her protectively behind him as he faced his father with unwavering determination.
“Dad, I want to marry Lily. I hope you’ll give us your blessing.”
“This is insane!” His father roared.
“I’m not being insane.”
“Do you hear yourself? Where’s Maya? As a married man, aren’t you ashamed to say such things?”
“Well, Maya and I are divorced. It’s been about a month now.”
Camden’s tone was casual as he dropped the bombshell about his divorce.
04:32
Chapter 10
“What? You and Maya are divorced?”
“Camden, when did this happen? How could you not tell us about something this huge?”
The Harrington family erupted in shocked questions, everyone stunned by the divorce news.
Learning this, Camden’s father was absolutely furious. “What did you just say? You and Maya are divorced?”
“Yes, we’re divorced.”
“You’ve completely lost your mind, Camden. Marriage isn’t a game. How can you face Maya after this?”
“I NEVER loved Maya.”
“Getting divorced and immediately proposing to your so–called niece in public–you’ve brought complete shame to this family!”
Camden stated what he believed to be fact. “Maya’s in the past. I love Lily. I always have.”
Lily tugged gently at his sleeve from behind. Camden thought she was scared, which only made him grip her hand more firmly.
His father strode over, lowering his voice but radiating fury. “Are you insane? She’s your brother’s daughter!”
Camden met his gaze fearlessly. “We’re not blood–related. You’ve always known how I felt about Lily.”
His father slammed his hand on the table. “That was just foolish infatuation! I tolerated your nonsense all these years thinking you’d eventually come to your senses. End this charade right NOW!”
Camden looked down for a moment of silence, then raised his head with even more determination. “I told you–I’m going to marry her.”
“And if I refuse?” His father’s face was stone cold.
Camden stared back darkly. “If the Harrington family won’t accept Lily, then I don’t need to be a Harrington either.”
The entire room fell silent. His father’s face cycled through shades of rage before settling into something terrifyingly dark. “Fine. From today, you’re no longer my son. Harrington Corp, the family trust, all the money–none of it has anything to do with you.”
Hearing this, Lily’s eyes went wide as she gasped.
‘Uncle Cam, don’t-”
Camden just laughed coldly, “Is that so? Whatever. For her, I’d give up everything.”
He pulled Lily past everyone as his mother’s cries and the sound of shattering china echoed behind them.
04:32 O
1 Ghosted Him and He Lost Everything Looking for Me
50.0
Chapter 10
He ignored it all. Only when they were in the car did Lily seem to come back to life, more agitated than he’d ever
seen her.
“Uncle Cam, you were way too impulsive back there. Actually-”
Camden cut off her words. “I’ve never been more clear–headed in my life.”
After said that, he started the car and drove away from the Harrington estate.
