Chapter 5
“It’s my wedding with a mafia boss,” Camilla said, her voice calm but with an edge of weariness. She thought saying it to them would make them care for her again.
Jackson and Ridge froze, exchanging looks of disbelief. For a moment, neither spoke. Then, soft footsteps sounded, and Katie appeared at the doorway, her expression a perfect mix of curiosity and concern.
“Oh, you‘ re marrying a mafia boss?” Katie asked, stepping inside with her usual graceful demeanor. Her voice was sweet, almost too sweet. “I never thought something like that could happen…”
Camilla’s gaze sharpened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Katie raised her hands, her face full of fake innocence. “Oh, nothing bad! It’s just… surprising. You never mentioned anything about being engaged before. Who is he?”
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Her curiosity sounded genuine, but deep down, Katie’s thoughts raced. A mafia boss? Camilla? Seriously? Who would want to marry her? She forced herself to maintain the caring facade, masking her simmering jealousy.
Camilla hesitated. “It’s not important. who he is.‘
Katie tilted her head, her smile unwavering. “But it is important, Camilla. I mean, marrying someone like that… Are you sure about this? It’s not dangerous? And you‘ re not lying, are you?” Her tone dripped with concern, but inside, she was certain Camilla had made it up. No way this is real. She’s probably just trying to impress Jackson and Ridge.
Jackson frowned, folding his arms. “Come on, Camilla. What‘ s with this story? You don‘ t have to make stuff up for attention.”
Ridge nodded in agreement. “Yeah, no offense, but a mafia boss? Doesn’t sound
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like you. And, why didn’t the council tell us about it?”
Camilla forced a smile, though her stomach churned. “Right, you caught me. It’s just a joke. Don’t take it so seriously.”
Katie’s eyes widened in mock surprise.
“Oh, Camilla! You scared me for a second!” She let out a laugh, her hand brushing against Camilla‘ s arm. “A mafia boss, though? That‘ s quite the story.”
“It’s not a story,” Camilla muttered under her breath, but her voice was low enough that no one caught it.
Katie leaned in slightly, her tone still light but probing. “If it’s not you, then who is it? Do I know her? Someone in the group?” Her curiosity brimmed with subtle malice. Deep down, she was thrilled to poke holes in Camilla’s claim. She couldn’t possibly 1 pull off a marriage like that. Imagine her,
standing next to a powerful man.
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Ridiculous.
Camilla kept her tone even. “Just a friend of mine. She’s getting married, not me.” She forced a shrug, hoping to end the
conversation.
Ridge added, crossing his arms. “Who‘ s the friend? How come we’ve never heard of her?”
Camilla sighed, her patience thinning. “It’s not always about you two. Not everyone has to report their lives to you.”
Jackson‘ s jaw tightened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Ridge stepped forward. “You think we don‘ t care? We’re just trying to figure out why you’re making stuff up!”
“You‘ re acting like I owe you an explanation,” Camilla shot back. “But I don’t. So if you don’t have anything. useful to say, maybe you should leave.”
Ridge stepped forward, his voice sharp.
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“You think this attitude is helping? You owe Katie an apology for earlier.”
Jackson crossed his arms, nodding. “Yeah.
Say sorry to Katie. Right now.”
Camilla stood her ground, her expression hardening. “I’m not apologizing for something that wasn’t my fault.”
“Are you serious?” Jackson‘ s tone was laced with frustration. “You knocked into her during a fight, and you‘ re not even sorry?”
Ridge added, “This is why people can’t deal with you sometimes. You‘ re so stubborn.”
Camilla didn’t flinch. “If you re both so sure I’m the problem, then go ahead and leave. I’m not going to say something I don’t mean just to make you feel better.”
Jackson exhaled sharply, shaking his head.
“Fine. Keep being like this, Camilla. Let us know how that works out for you.
Chapter 5
Ridge scowled as he turned to follow Jackson. “Unbelievable,” he muttered
under his breath.
As they left, Katie stepped closer, her tone soft and sweet. “Camilla, they’re just upset. You know how protective they are. Maybe you should think about saying sorry and I’ll forgive you right away. It might help smooth things over.”
Camilla glared at her. “I don’t need your advice, Katie.”
Katie smiled, a touch too sweet, and stepped back. “Of course. Just trying to help.” But inside, she felt a surge of satisfaction. Let them be mad at her. It only
makes me look better.
Camilla turned away, unwilling to entertain Katie any longer. Her fists clenched at her sides, but she refused to let the frustration show. If they couldn’t see the truth, it wasn‘ t her problem. Let them walk away. She wasn’t about to apologize for
something she didn’t do.
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Later that night, Katie lingered outside Camilla’s room, pretending to scroll through her phone. The slightly open door allowed her to catch snippets of Camilla‘ s conversation.
“I know, Mom,” Camilla was saying. “I’ll visit the boutique tomorrow. The dress has to be perfect. It’s my wedding, after all.”
Katie’s heart skipped a beat. Camilla wasn‘ t joking earlier? She gripped her phone tightly, her mind racing. Her wedding? To a mafia boss? At first, Katie thought it might be another one of Camilla’s tricks, some elaborate story to gain attention. But as she listened to Camilla’s casual, steady tone, doubt began to creep in.
Katie moved away from the door, her thoughts whirling. If Camilla was serious, Katie needed to know everything. And if it was true, she wasn’t going to let Camilla have her fairy–tale ending without a fight.
