Chapter 3

Camilla was dragged to the hospital by Niamh first thing in the morning.

Last night, after Niamh saw her diagnosis, she immediately insisted on bringing her in for a recheck.

"Late-stage Fabry disease? You look perfectly fine to me. They probably made a mistake. Let's get another test done."

Niamh's concern was genuine.

Camilla wanted to comfort her but didn't know what to say.

Hereditary Fabry disease didn't show much on the surface, but her body had already started displaying symptoms.

Her hands and feet would sting without warning. Her heart was beginning to overwork itself—frequent palpitations, chest tightness.

All because the genetic condition left her body lacking a crucial enzyme, throwing her entire system out of balance.

If it hadn't started affecting her daily life, she never would have come to the hospital for testing in the first place.

She obediently followed behind Niamh, guilt mingling with a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time.

That's when her phone rang.

It was Cleo.

Something must have happened with Ollie.

Camilla answered instinctively.

"Mrs. Clifford, Ollie woke up this morning complaining about a toothache. I didn't know what to do, so I brought him to the hospital."

Cleo's voice was frantic.

Camilla could hear Ollie crying in the background.

"No! Don't call the bad mommy! I want Serena, Serena!"

A sharp pain lanced through Camilla's chest.

Bad mommy.

In just one night, she'd dropped another notch in her own son's heart.

She closed her eyes. When she opened them again, they were ice-cold.

"Call Theodric," she said flatly. "From now on, anything involving Ollie goes through him."

She hung up before Cleo could respond.

Over the past four years, she'd kept Ollie in perfect health. He'd never even had a toothache before.

But ever since Serena came back, Ollie had been plagued with minor issues—and blamed Camilla for being too controlling.

Now it made sense. Serena gave him whatever he wanted, never caring about his actual well-being.

When Niamh returned, she found Camilla staring into space. "What's wrong? Are you feeling okay?"

Camilla shook her head. "I'm fine."

"Then let's go find the doctor."

Camilla stood, ready to leave with Niamh.

But the moment she turned around, she saw Theodric helping Serena along.

Theodric had his arm around Serena's waist, his gaze fixed on her feet with total concentration, as if terrified she might fall.

"I'm not that fragile! What am I, your delicate little wife?" Serena laughed, trying to push him away.

But the second they separated, Serena twisted her ankle and tumbled straight into Theodric's arms.

Theodric had no choice but to catch her again.

Serena looped her arms around his neck, and they clung to each other.

Closer than before. Intimately entwined.

Theodric glanced at Serena with helpless affection, then bent down and scooped her up in his arms. "You're still as stubborn as ever."

Serena wrapped her arms around his neck and stuck her tongue out sheepishly. "My bad."

"I've been handling injuries on my own for years overseas. I'm not like your precious, delicate wife."

Every sentence came with a barb aimed at Camilla.

Delicate. Precious. Housewife.

Bit by bit, she was painting a picture of Camilla in front of Theodric and his son.

Perhaps sensing someone watching, Theodric turned.

His eyes met Camilla's gaunt face.

Why was she at the hospital?

Following Theodric's gaze, Serena spotted Camilla too.

A sly, provocative smile tugged at her lips. She tapped Theodric's shoulder. "Theodric, put me down. What if your wife sees and gets the wrong idea? I know we're just good friends now, but women can get pretty scary when they're jealous."

Then Serena turned to Camilla with a sweet smile.

Her tone was casual, but her words dripped with provocation. "Ms. Lavien, don't worry. Theodric and I are just friends. He's always treated me like one of the guys. You knew that back in college, didn't you?"

Yes. Of course Camilla knew.

Back in college, she'd watched Theodric chase after Serena for three solid years.

Serena's family business wasn't big enough to break into Seaside City's elite circles.

But her personality was bold and carefree, her nature generous and straightforward. She and Theodric had been in the same club at university.

Theodric had been drawn to her bright, unguarded spirit and gradually became obsessed.

When he confessed to her after graduation, it caused a sensation across Seaside City.

The headline 'Wealthy Heir Publicly Rejected' dominated the internet for three days straight.

Serena was bringing up college on purpose—to remind Camilla exactly who Theodric's heart really belonged to.

Once upon a time, Camilla would have been humiliated.

But now? Serena's provocation only annoyed her.

"Don't worry," Camilla said calmly. "Theodric and I are divorced. Even if you two sleep together, it's none of my business."

Serena's face flushed red with shock.

Theodric's expression turned dark as a storm cloud.

"Camilla! Apologize!" His voice was ice-cold, trembling with fury.

Camilla knew he was seething.

She smiled faintly. "Did I say something wrong? Why should I apologize?"

Theodric was used to Camilla being docile. Seeing her sharp and defiant now only fueled his rage.

Serena, still draped around his neck, looked at Camilla and sighed helplessly. "Theodric, I told you Ms. Lavien would overthink this. See? Now she's picking a fight with you. Just put me down. If she keeps this up, I'll look like the other woman."

"Ignore her." Theodric's tone was glacial. Not only did he not put Serena down—he held her even tighter.

Niamh, who'd been standing beside Camilla this whole time, finally lost it.

She let out a scornful laugh.

"You two are a perfect match. Scumbag and homewrecker. Theodric, your wife shows up at a hospital, and you don't even ask if she's sick. Instead, you're all over your mistress. It's disgusting."

Niamh had been infamous for her sharp tongue back in college.

Clearly, she hadn't lost her edge.

Theodric glared at her viciously. "What did you say?"

Camilla quickly pulled Niamh close. After all, the Clifford family held serious power in Seaside City. If Theodric wanted to make trouble for Niamh, it would be child's play.

But Niamh wasn't backing down. "Your wife is sick and you don't care. Instead, you run off to fuss over some other woman. If that's not a scumbag, what is? Did I say something wrong?"

Theodric turned his gaze to Camilla. She was still thin, but her complexion looked fine. She didn't look sick at all.

He let out a cold laugh, his tone dismissive. "Is that so? What's wrong with her?"

The way she was arguing with him now—sick? Please. Just another ploy for attention.

Furious, Niamh yanked out Camilla's medical report.

"See for yourself!"