Chapter 6%
Kier stared at the message.}
Erika: I don’t want to do it. I’m done being your nanny, Kier. Goodbye.}
He blinked once. Then twice. His jaw clenched as he reread the words, trying to make sense of them.
Goodbye? Done being your nanny?>
“What the hell does that mean?” he muttered, more to himself than anyone.”
Camille, slipping on her designer coat beside him, caught the edge of his panic and leaned over. “What is it?“}
He didn’t answer, just tilted the phone toward her.
Camille read the message aloud with a scoff. “I don’t want to do it. I’m done being your nanny, Kier. Goodbye.” She snorted. “Seriously? What is my sister even talking about?“}
She handed the phone to their father, David, who squinted at the screen before his face twisted into frustration. “What the hell is wrong with that girl? After everything we’ve given her?“}
Kier tried calling Erika again. No answer.
Another call. Still nothing.”
Camille started pacing. “We don’t have time for this. Immigration’s going to be packed. And my passport–she definitely has it. I knew I left it in my purse. She must’ve taken it out. Out of jealousy or… whatever petty reason.“}
“She wouldn’t…” Kier started, then trailed off. His voice lacked conviction.
“She would,” Camille snapped. “You heard her! She’s clearly acting out. This is just her way of getting back at us for leaving her behind.“}] David was already dialing the butler’s number. “She won’t get away with this. Not today.“}
When the call connected, David barked, “Go check the house right now. Tell me where Erika is. Is she sleeping? Ignoring her phone?“} “And tell them to send my passport right now!” Camille hissed. “Tell her to bring my passport here!“}
There was a pause. Then the butler’s voice came through the speaker, calm and confused.”
“Sir… Erika’s not here. She left hours ago. Her suitcase is gone too.“}
Kier felt the blood drain from his face.}
“What?” Camille hissed. “What do you mean she left?“}
“She packed a suitcase?” Kier asked sharply, grabbing the phone. “You’re sure?“}
“Yes, sir. I checked every room. She’s not here. I thought she went with all of you.”}
Kier’s heart skipped.”
That didn’t make sense. Erika… leaving?”
Camille crossed her arms, her voice rising. “So what, she just disappeared? Great. Now what? Are we seriously going to ruin our trip because she’s having a tantrum?“}
Kier didn’t answer.
He was still holding the phone, but it felt heavier than it should. Erika never disobeyed. Never disappeared. Never chose herself.
Until now.
He turned toward the gates, staring absently at the line for immigration. The final boarding call echoed overhead, making everything feel urgent and distant all at once./
Camille touched his arm. “Kier. Are you seriously thinking about going back? About chasing her?“.
“I’m not-” he hesitated. “I just don’t understand where she went.””
“She’s being dramatic,” Camille said, her voice low and coaxing. “You said it yourself–you’ve been tired of her for years. This is what you wanted, remember? Me. Us. Paris. Our wedding.”
He stared at her, the weight in his chest sinking deeper.”
This was what he wanted, wasn’t it??
Camille. The beautiful, independent, ambitious woman he had admired from the start. Erika was the safe choice, the convenient one–the woman who folded his shirts, cooked his meals, cleaned after his messes without asking for anything.
So why did it suddenly feel like something important had slipped through his fingers?
His hand tightened around his phone.
He tried calling Erika one last time.
But this time, the call didn’t even ring
The number you have dialed is no longer available.
Carmille gently pulled on his sleeve. “Let’s go. We’ll deal with her when we get back. If she’s not there, go send that butler for my passport! I will not let anyone ruin our trip!*%
And he nodded. Not because he was sure, but because he didn’t know what else to do.
They boarded the plane after Camille received her passport, and Paris welcomed them with soft sunlight and the glimmer of luxury they had always dreamed of
1/2
110
12:31 PM
They checked into the hotel, posed for pictures, toasted champagne glasses over rooftop dinners. David praised Camille for her elegance. Their son and his wife were also there celebrating. Kier kept smiling, kept nodding, kept pretending.
But at night, while Camille slept beside him, he turned on his side and stared at his phone.§
No messages. No missed calls.
Just silence.
The kind that echoed louder than noise.
They visited the Eiffel Tower, and Camille leaned on his arm like they were already married. She whispered ideas about floral arrangements and honeymoon plans. Everything was perfect.
But something inside him twisted.
At the height of everything he thought he wanted–he felt empty.”
He tried calling Erika again. Still nothing.
She was gone.
And for the first time in his life, he realized-
She didn’t just leave the house.
She left him.
