Chapter 195

Camille stood alone as Chloe had wandered off. She offered Freya a small smile. "We're getting divorced."

Freya had suspected as much. After all, Camille had a daughter but had been living alone across from her all this time.

Not to mention, Camille hadn't attended the last parent-teacher meeting. Instead, some stunning woman had shown up in her place.

Damien surprised them both by initiating conversation. "Hello."

"Hello," Freya replied cautiously.

"You two know each other?" His question was directed at Freya, but his eyes never left Camille.

Camille remained silent, refusing to engage.

Freya answered, "Camille and I are neighbors."

Sensing the tension and noticing Camille's disinterest in speaking with Damien, Freya quickly excused herself.

"You seem close with your new neighbor," Damien remarked.

Camille kept her eyes on her phone, scrolling absently.

Damien didn't press further, but neither did he walk away.

Just then, Chloe came bounding back, and the parent-child activities were about to begin.

Camille had participated in similar events during Chloe's first year of kindergarten. But after Damien took Chloe abroad last year, she hadn't attended any since.

The first game was Musical Chairs.

The rules were simple: chairs arranged in a circle, two fewer than participating families. Parents had to carry their child while circling the chairs to music.

When the music stopped, they had to scramble for a seat. Each round eliminated families without chairs, until only one remained victorious.

Damien turned to Camille. "Do you want to do it, or should I?"

Before Camille could respond, Chloe tugged at Damien's sleeve excitedly. "Daddy should do it!"

Damien looked to Camille for confirmation.

"You do it," she agreed.

"Alright." He handed her his phone. "Then you can record it."

Camille hesitated. "I'll use mine. I'll send you the video later."

Damien took his phone back without argument. He scooped Chloe up effortlessly and joined the other parents by the chairs.

Camille stood, opening her camera app and focusing on Damien and Chloe.

Suddenly, Damien glanced directly at the camera. He smiled - that devastating smile she knew too well.

Camille's fingers tightened around her phone for just a second.

The music started. Damien turned away, holding Chloe securely as he moved with the other parents.

After a couple rounds, the music cut off abruptly.

Damien secured a chair with ease, Chloe giggling in his arms.

"We got one, Mommy!" Chloe waved excitedly.

"That's great," Camille responded.

Truthfully, when she'd first seen the schedule, she'd assumed both Damien and Chloe would find these school games tedious.

But Chloe had been thrilled from the moment Damien lifted her. Now, with their success, she was practically vibrating with excitement.

Damien chuckled at her reaction, then caught Camille's eye.

At first, it had been obvious Damien wasn't particularly invested. But the lively atmosphere, cheerful music, and competitive nature seemed to have drawn him in.

Now, he appeared fully engaged, actually enjoying himself.

His quick reflexes served him well. Round after round, he dominated effortlessly, ultimately claiming victory.