Chapter 21

Damien returned to the Harrington estate close to 1 AM after celebrating Selene's competition win.

Marcus noticed Damien carrying a drowsy Chloe and frowned. "You're back quite late, Mr. Harrington?" Damien merely hummed in response, offering no explanation.

After tucking Chloe into bed, Damien entered his bedroom and flicked on the lights. The empty space where Camille should have been made him pause. "She didn't come home tonight?" he asked Marcus.

"Mrs. Harrington? No, sir."

Damien's eyebrow arched slightly in surprise.

Camille had been absent more frequently these past few days. Unusual behavior for someone who rarely spent nights away. Had something happened with the Hartwell family?

Morning sunlight streamed through Chloe's curtains as she woke up grinning, still buzzing from yesterday's adventures with Selene. Clutching her favorite stuffed unicorn, she skipped toward the master suite.

"Mommy! Mommy!" she called cheerfully.

The room stood empty.

Chloe's smile faltered.

Just then, Damien emerged from the walk-in closet, fully dressed in his signature tailored suit.

"Where's Mommy?" Chloe asked, tilting her head.

Damien adjusted his cufflinks casually. "Not home."

"Huh? Why not?"

"Ask her yourself."

Chloe immediately dialed Camille.

Camille had just finished her morning run when Chloe's call came through. She swiped to answer.

"Mommy! Where are you?" Chloe's eager voice filled the line.

Instead of answering, Camille deflected. "What's wrong, sweetheart? Did you need something?"

Only Elise knew about Camille's temporary apartment. She cherished her newfound independence and wasn't ready to disrupt that peace yet.

She had no intention of telling Chloe her current whereabouts.

With the phone on speaker, Chloe flopped onto the king-sized bed and whined, "I miss you. Can you take me to school today?"

"My place is too far. I wouldn't make it in time. Maybe next time, okay?"

Chloe's face fell. "Okay..." Then perking up, she added, "But you have to take me tomorrow! Promise!"

Camille hesitated. Returning to that house filled her with unease.

"Mommy?"

Damien overheard every word. Camille's uncharacteristic hesitation caught his attention. Normally, she'd jump at any chance to spend time with Chloe.

After a beat, Camille suggested, "Why don't you ask your father to take you?"

Chloe's lower lip trembled. "No..." Her eyes welled up. "You haven't taken me in forever!"

Relenting, Camille sighed. "Alright, I'll take you."

"I love you mostest!"

Her agreement stemmed from duty, not sentiment. She'd brought Chloe into this world - that responsibility remained, regardless of circumstances.

Chloe's tears instantly transformed into a radiant smile.

As Damien fastened his watch, he noticed Chloe still chatting away. "If you don't eat breakfast soon, you'll be late."

Chloe gasped. "Oh no! I haven't brushed my teeth yet! Bye, Mommy!" She hung up abruptly.

Setting her phone down, Camille finished her breakfast before heading to Harrington Group.