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I heard Elise’s quiet footsteps grow louder as she approached. I turned to look at her, wishing she hadn’t woken up.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, wearing one of my shirts that fit her like a dress. Her hair was a mess and so was her makeup, but through all of that, you could see the genuine concern.
Camille seemed paralyzed with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you had company.”
I always had company.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Camille said.
Instead of taking the seat beside me, Elise moved to my lap, her arm hooking around my shoulders. “You didn’t.” She turned to give me a look, a look that said my absence was the cause of her disturbance.
Camille quickly wiped her eyes with her fingertips. “It’s late… I should get to bed.” She left the couch and moved into the other room, looking for my butler to help her set up for the evening.
Elise and I returned to the bedroom, the fireplace cold. My lamp on the nightstand was on, so it wasn’t pitch black. I removed my bottoms and got back into bed as if nothing had happened.
Elise joined me, still in my t-shirt. “Did something happen with her and Cauldron?”
“He ended things.”
“Why?” she asked, surprised.
“To protect her, I guess.”
“Protect her from what?”
I gave a shrug. “It was just an excuse.”
“Then what is the real reason?”
I turned on my side and spooned her from behind. “Because he’s incapable of loving anyone.”
3
CAMILLE
I’d wound up at Grave’s apartment because I didn’t know where else to go. When I left Cap-Ferrat, I headed to Paris because that was where I’d spent my entire life. But once I got there, I didn’t know what to do next. My car was loaded with all my possessions, and I didn’t want to move all of it into a hotel or leave it in the car. It was the middle of the night, and I wouldn’t find a new apartment at that hour. Besides, I was too broken to even check in to a hotel anyway. Could barely get a few words out.
So I ended up here…back where I started.
Pathetic.
When I woke up the next day, it was past noon. I’d slept for a whopping twelve hours straight. My entire body was crushed with defeat. If I weren’t desperate to pee and starving because I hadn’t eaten anything since early the night before, I would have stayed put. I made my way into the hallway and then the dining room.
Grave’s butler emerged. “You’re awake.” It seemed like a question, but it was worded as a statement and also mixed with a judgmental look.
I was used to this attitude from Hugo, but not Raymond. Raymond and I used to get along, but it looked like those days were long over. “Yes.”
“Take a seat. I’ll bring you something.”
“Peanut butter and jelly is fine.”
Raymond looked revolted. “Will children be dining with you today?”
“No—”
“Then don’t insult us. You’re no longer the woman of the house—and don’t you forget it.”
“Raymond.” Grave’s deep voice came from the sitting room. As if he spoke into a microphone, his voice was audible in every corner. “She’s trying to inconvenience you as little as possible, and you know that.” He emerged at my side, dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. He must have just come home because he was usually in his sweatpants when he was around the house.
