Chapter 197

Damien's deep voice cut through the air. "You or me?"

Camille turned to Chloe. "Sweetheart, you choose."

"Daddy." Chloe beamed. "Mommy doesn't know basketball, but Daddy's amazing at it."

The truth was, Camille could play decently. But she didn't contradict her daughter.

With Chloe's decision made, Camille simply nodded. "You do it."

Damien gave a quick nod. "Alright."

The midday sun grew intense, baking the schoolyard.

He shrugged off his tailored jacket and handed it to her. "Hold this."

Camille eyed the expensive fabric before draping it carelessly over a nearby bench.

His eyebrow arched slightly, but he remained silent.

Just as the whistle was about to blow, he turned back. "Keep the camera moving with us. Don't just stand there."

"Understood," she replied.

The rules were simple: parent pulls a rope loop while the child dribbles inside it. At the halfway point, they'd switch roles, with the ball staying within the loop at all times.

Camille remembered taking Chloe to basketball clinics before. Back then, her daughter had shown little interest - probably too young to remember.

But now, whether from school lessons or Damien's coaching, Chloe handled the ball with surprising skill.

Damien moved backward effortlessly, matching her rhythm perfectly.

They completed the first leg with ease. The return trip was even smoother.

Chloe hadn't exaggerated - Damien was exceptional.

The ball spun effortlessly between his hands. With his sleeves rolled up, his movements were both graceful and precise as he adjusted to Chloe's pace.

Murmurs rippled through the watching crowd. "So gorgeous..."

Camille kept the camera steady.

Yet as she filmed, an unexpected memory surfaced - Damien playing basketball on their college courts years ago.

Just months earlier, whenever she'd recalled their past, his younger self had appeared vividly in her mind.

But now, seeing the present-day Damien - taller, more composed, even more striking - those old images seemed to fade.

Unsurprisingly, they took first place.

Chloe jumped with unrestrained joy, her smile radiant.

Damien grinned and scooped her up effortlessly.

Camille captured the moment, thinking her daughter must be the happiest child here.

Yet part of her wondered - if Selene stood in her place today, would Chloe be even happier?

Other parents began approaching Damien. He shook hands with one, engaging in polite conversation.

Nearby, Freya sidled up to Camille.

Seeing the game had ended and Camille had stopped filming, she remarked, "Your daughter and her father share such a special bond."

"They do," Camille agreed.

It was true - their connection was strong, and likely to grow stronger.

What Freya didn't say was how unusual it was for a child to favor their father over their mother to this degree.

But she had to admit - Camille's husband clearly adored their daughter.