Chapter 5
Maya noticed Camden’s body suddenly go rigid, tension radiating off him.
“Lily got offered a position with an international company. She’s leaving next month for two years,” Camden’s dad announced with a huge grin.
BANG!
Camden slammed his wine glass down so hard Maya thought it might shatter, his voice shaking with rage. “Like hell
she is. Who gave you the right to decide this behind MY back?”
The dining room went dead silent. Lily’s eyes went wide, tears welling up. “Uncle Cam…”
Camden shot to his feet, hands planted on the table, his stare ice cold. “Lily’s not going anywhere. She’s… she’s
fragile. She can’t handle being alone overseas.”
Maya sat perfectly still, watching her husband’s face contort with an anguish and panic she’d never seen before. The first time she’d ever witnessed him completely lose his shit.
And it was all for Lily.
Camden’s dad’s expression darkened. “Camden, watch your tone. Lily’s future isn’t yours to control.”
“Everything about her is my business.” Camden’s voice was deadly quiet.
For Lily, he was willing to go head–to–head with his own father for the first time ever.
Maya felt the room spin. She stood up, looking around at everyone. “Sorry, I’m not feeling great. I’m gonna head
out.”
Nobody tried to stop her. Camden didn’t even turn around–he was completely fixated on Lily, like Maya didn’t
even exist.
Maya rushed to the bathroom and locked the door, staring at herself in the mirror. She was pale as a ghost, with angry red welts spreading across her neck.
She turned on the faucet, letting cold water run over her wrists, but it couldn’t wash away the chill that had settled leep in her bones.
‘Maya, honey, you okay in there?” Camden’s mom called through the door.
Maya quickly pulled herself together and opened the door. “I’m fine, Mom. Just tired.”
Camden’s mom studied her face, then hesitated. “Don’t read too much into what Camden said tonight. He’s always been protective of Lily since she was little. He just… overreacted.”
04:31
I Chosted Him and He Lost Everything Looking for Me
21.1
Chapter 5
“I get it.” Maya forced a smile.
When she got back to the dining room, the drama had died down. Lily’s eyes were still red, but there was this triumphant gleam in them.
Camden was sitting right next to her, whispering something that made his expression sickeningly tender.
“Maya!” Lily spotted her, voice sweet as sugar. “Come try this cake! Uncle Cam just had someone pick it up special.”
Maya looked at the fancy dessert. “Thanks, but I’m allergic to mango.”
Camden frowned. “Since when are you allergic to mango?”
Maya met his eyes calmly. “I told you during our first year of marriage. Guess you forgot.”
After dinner ended, Maya found herself alone on the balcony.
Her phone buzzed–someone from the British Museum calling.
They’d approved her application and wanted to know when she could start.
‘Next week. I’ll be there next week.”
The divorce papers and visa stuff should be wrapped up in about a week.
As she hung up, she heard footsteps behind her. Camden approached, reeking of wine.
‘Next week where?” His sudden question caught her off guard.
‘Nothing important. Just work stuff.”
Maya figured Camden wouldn’t push it, but he kept staring at her. “What kind of work?”
Maya felt trapped, scrambling for an excuse. She wasn’t ready to let Camden know about her escape plan yet.
[ust then, Lily’s voice drifted over from behind them.
‘Uncle Cam! I want to go look at the fountain. Will you come with me?”
23.7
