Chapter 17
Camilla woke up to a soft glow of sunlight filtering through the curtains. On the bedside table, a fresh bouquet of flowers
sat in a crystal vase, alongside a folded note in Don Colen’s sharp handwriting:
“Had to leave for business. Take your time and enjoy the estate. -Colen”
She sighed, her chest tightening. The thought of eating alone made her heart sink, but she brushed it off. She knew what she had signed up for. Don Colen is a busy
man.
After freshening up, she decided to explore the sprawling estate. Room by room, hallway by hallway, she wandered, marveling at the sheer grandeur and wondering how long it would take for this place to feel like home.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden buzz of her phone. She glanced at
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the screen. Jackson. Again.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. She hesitated, thumb hovering over the decline button. Jackson and Ridge. The names alone brought back a mix of emotions: childhood camaraderie, betrayal, and the rift that Katie‘ s jealousy had carved between them. She‘ d ignored their calls for months.
But today, something made her pause. With a resigned sigh, she hit “Answer.”
“What do you want, Jackson?” she asked, her tone flat.
There was silence on the other end before Jackson’s familiar voice broke through. “Camilla. Finally. Look, I know you‘ re mad, but we need to talk.”
“Mad?” she scoffed. “Try furious. I
trusted you and Ridge, and you let her ruin everything.”
“Cam, it wasn’t like that—”
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“Don’t call me that,” she snapped, cutting him off. “You lost the right to call me that when you took her side.”
“Listen,” Jackson said, his tone
softening. “We didn’t choose Katie over you. Things just got… complicated. Can’t we just talk? Face to face?”
Camilla clenched her jaw, the old wounds still raw. “I don’t see the point.”
“Because we miss you,” he said quietly. “I miss you. Ridge does too. We just want to make things right.”
She closed her eyes, torn between the anger that still simmered and the faint
ache of nostalgia for what they’d once shared.
Camilla sighed, gripping the phone tighter. “Jackson, there’s nothing left to talk about. You and Ridge made your choice with Katie, and I’ve made mine. I’d appreciate it if you leave me alone.”
“Camilla, wait-” Jackson protested. “If
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you‘ re being forced to marry Don Colen, we’ll help you. You don‘ t have to-”
She cut him off. “I wasn‘ t forced. This is my choice. Marrying Don Colen is my way of moving on. You should do the same. Forget me, the way I’ve forgotten you.”
Before he could respond, she ended the call and dropped the phone on the table, her chest tight with frustration.
Moments later, the sound of the front door opening caught her attention. Don Colen stepped in, his sharp eyes immediately catching the tension on her face.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, crossing the
room toward her.
Camilla hesitated, then sighed. “It’s Jackson and Ridge. My old friends. They keep calling, trying to fix things. But it’s too late for that.”
Colen studied her carefully, his gaze steady. “If they re troubling you, I’ll handle it.”
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She shook her head. “No need. I ended it. I just need them to understand I’ve moved on. They’re part of a life I’ve left behind.”
“Good,” he said simply, his hand brushing hers in a rare show of comfort. “You don’t owe them anything so you better not waste your time on them.”
Camilla nodded, “But, wait, why are you here? Didn’t you say you need to attend to some business.”
Don Colen leaned casually against the doorframe, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “I did, but then I learned you didn’t even touch your breakfast.”
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Who told you that?”
He shrugged, his tone light but laced with concern. “Does it matter? What matters is why. Care to explain?”
Camilla hesitated, fidgeting slightly. “It‘ s just… lonely eating alone in that massive
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dining room.”
Don Colen’s smirk faded, replaced by a softer expression. A flicker of guilt crossed his face as he stepped closer. “That’s my fault. I should’ve thought about that. From now on, we’ll eat breakfast and dinner together. No exceptions.”
Her lips curved into a small, hesitant smile. “You mean it?”
“Absolutely,” he replied firmly. “You‘ re not just some guest in this house, Camilla.
You‘ re gonna be my wife. We share meals, no matter how busy I am. And if anything bothers you, you have to tell me.”
Her smile grew wider, and she felt a warmth she hadn‘ t expected. “Thank you,
Don Colen.”
“I prefer you call me love, instead.” Don Colen reached for her and kissed her
forehead.
Camilla blushed, “Love.”
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“That sounds great. Now, come with me,” he said, motioning for her to follow. “I‘ ve got something to show you.”
Curiosity piqued, Camilla followed him down the grand hallway until they stopped at a set of ornate double doors. Don Colen pushed them open, revealing a large, elegantly decorated room.
Camilla gasped, her eyes widening as she took in the sight. Racks of stunning wedding dresses lined the walls, each more exquisite than the last. Delicate fabrics glimmered under the soft light, and
intricate beading and lace seemed to whisper stories of romance and grandeur.
Don Colen gestured toward the dresses, his expression unusually tender. “Pick
whichever one you want for our special day.”
She turned to him, her voice soft with awe. “All of this… for me?”
Don Colen chuckled softly, his gaze intense
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yet tender. “Yes. You deserve the best, my love. And to make this thing formal
between us…”
Camilla blinked, a little confused. “What do you mean?”
He smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes. “You know this is just an arranged marriage, right? But I still wanted to propose to you… as it should be.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She didn’t expect this, not from him. Camilla opened her mouth to respond, but before she could speak, Don Colen stepped closer, lowering
himself onto one knee in front of her. A soft gasp escaped her lips as he reached into his coat pocket.
With a smooth motion, he opened a small. velvet box, revealing a dazzling diamond ring. The stone was large, a perfect, flawless emerald–cut diamond that shimmered in the light.
Don Colen looked up at her. “Will you
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spend the rest of your life with me, Camilla?”
Without hesitation, her hand flew to her
mouth, the emotions swirling in her chest. “Of course!”
Don Colen smiled and gently took her hand, sliding the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly, as though it had always been
meant for her–this life even.
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