Chapter 7 Did He Think She Was Just Playing Around?
As he got closer, Leopold noticed Camilla's gorgeous wavy hair was now straight and dyed jet black.
She wore no makeup, no heels, just a plain white T-shirt, her face completely bare.
But her eyes? They were brighter than ever, no trace of heartbreak or depression.
If she was faking it, Leopold had to admit, she was nailing it.
So much so, it pissed him off.
Camilla frowned; she knew him too well. That look was a prelude to his anger.
Leopold sneered, "But your taste sucks. After all those years with me, you'd think you'd have some standards, right? Don't just settle for any loser. Otherwise, I'd be embarrassed as your ex."
"Embarrassed?" Camilla found it almost laughable.
But behind that smile, there was a hint of sadness.
Too bad Leopold didn't catch it.
His mind was flooded with images of Camilla smiling at other guys, making him angrier by the second.
He chalked it up to some male "territorial instinct."
Since he once claimed Camilla as his, even if he didn't want her now, he wouldn't let some loser take over.
"I got stuff to do, I'm out." Camilla didn't want to hear him anymore.
"Leave? Where to? Juniper's place? That's your only option. But this time, you took your checkbook and documents. Fine, you wanna play games?"
Camilla felt a sting in her heart.
She was used to Leopold's bad temper, even his erratic and violent behavior, but those words still hurt.
Did he think she was just playing around?
Camilla took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions, then forced a smile, "First off, Mr. Russell and I are just friends, not as dirty as you think. And second, we're done. How you think is your problem."
Right then, her taxi pulled up.
Camilla opened the door and got in, "Please drive."
Leopold sneered again, thinking, 'Camilla's really getting gutsy.'
Three months ago, during their fight, she used this tactic to threaten him.
But this time, she brought another guy right in front of him. How dare she?
Suddenly, a pair of soft hands slid up his arm, and Esme leaned in close, "Leopold, how could you leave without waiting for me?"
The strong scent of her perfume made Leopold frown, but he didn't push her away. Instead, he wrapped his arm around Esme's slim waist, "Wanna come with me?"
If Camilla could find a guy, he could find a girl, right?
Camilla glanced at the cozy couple in the rearview mirror and smirked self-deprecatingly, 'So it wasn't just Amara.'
'Six years, all wasted.'
As the taxi drove further away, Leopold's expression changed.
He coldly pulled Esme's hand off.
Esme, confused, tried to cling to him again, but he ruthlessly pushed her away and walked off without looking back.
"Hey, Leopold! Leopold, stop right there!"
Esme bit her lip in anger.
Leopold got into his car, started the engine, and called Clara.
"Leopold? Aren't you on a blind date?"
Leopold gritted his teeth, "Did you tell Camilla about me being at Urban Harvest Diner today? Can you be smarter and not spill everything to outsiders? Mom made me go on this stupid date, and you didn't even help cover for me. Instead, you blabbed to Camilla, and now she's parading some dude around just to piss me off. Can you use your brain and stop doing dumb stuff?"
Clara was taken aback by his outburst, "What are you talking about? When did I—"
Before she could finish, the call ended, leaving her staring at her phone, speechless.
"What did I do?"
Her frustration was cut short when the butler approached with a gift list, "Miss, are these enough?"
Clara glanced at the list, filled with high-quality items, then carefully checked it. Satisfied, she nodded.
"These are for my professor. Make sure everything is perfect when you prepare them, got it?"
"Yes, Miss."
"Ms. Learmond, this is the best house near Harmony College. Look at the natural light and environment; many people are waiting to rent it. If you don't decide soon, it might be gone."
The agent was all smiles, showing off the place, and Camilla took it all in.
The apartment wasn't huge, just two bedrooms and a living room, with decor from like a decade ago, and it was a classic walk-up.
But it had its perks.
Not only was it close to Harmony College, but it was also near the library, with easy transportation. Most importantly, the natural light and environment were top-notch.
If she wanted a fresh start, this was the spot.
"Alright, I'll take it."
She signed a one-year lease on the spot.
When Juniper got back, she saw the open suitcase on the floor.
"You're moving out?"
Camilla was packing her clothes, "Yep, found a place."
Juniper guessed, "Leopold came to see you? Not bad, you held out for a week this time. Let him cool off, so he doesn't think he can push you around."
Camilla paused, and their eyes met.
"Juniper, this time, Leopold and I are really done. I'm not going back."
Juniper was stunned for a moment and then started to believe her.
Over six years, she had watched Camilla slowly lose herself for Leopold, her light dimming, turning into a housewife orbiting around a man.
And she thought, 'No, a housewife is a legit wife. What was Camilla? Leopold was just wasting her!'
"Good for you! You should've done this ages ago! There are plenty of guys out there, no need to stick to Leopold!"
"You're right!" Camilla nodded.
"Is this for real? You won't go running back in a few days, will you?"
Camilla laughed.
On her way back, she stopped by the market.
The apartment was old, with peeling walls.
The furniture looked like it belonged in a museum.
She planned to buy some eco-friendly paint and give the place a fresh coat.
"Thanks."
The driver helped her carry the big paint buckets out of the trunk.
Camilla looked up; it was the seventh floor.
She had to haul it all up herself.
To repaint the walls, she needed to move the furniture around, which was a good chance to rearrange the layout.
Camilla left the door open and started lugging the paint buckets upstairs one by one.
The buckets were heavy, and it took a lot of effort. She climbed two floors and rested, climbed two more and rested again. By the time she finished, she was exhausted and out of breath.
After catching her breath for a few minutes, she went to the bathroom to wash her face, slowly regaining her strength.
She picked up the painting tools, measured the wall, then rolled up her sleeves and got to work!