Kamille’s POV

I woke up to messages from Amanda and Belle. They were coming to visit! I’d prepared plenty of biscuits, cakes, and juices in anticipation. It was also the first time my kids would have visitors since we arrived in London. Tyris was especially excited to meet my friends.

Around eleven a.m., the doorbell rang. I hurried downstairs to answer.

“Hey, bestie!” they both exclaimed excitedly, showering me with hugs and kisses on both cheeks.

I led them inside. They were laden with gifts for the kids.

“Come here, my little darlings,” they said, arms outstretched. My kids rushed into their embrace. I felt a surge of joy and gratitude.

They gave each child a gift. Tyris was smitten with her new doll; the boys received toy cars, games, and building blocks. They quickly forgot about us, engrossed in their presents.

I guided my friends to the dining room for some privacy.

“Damn, Kamille! The kids are so adorable, I want to take them home!” Amanda squealed.

“I second that, Kam. Very beautiful and precious gems you have there,” Belle added.

“Thank you so much, besties. They mean the world to me,” I smiled, watching them play.

“Meanwhile, how have you been coping alone with them all these years?” Belle asked.

“Well, it hasn’t been easy,” I admitted, smiling warmly. “But we’re doing just fine.”

“Doing just fine? With four kids?” Amanda raised an eyebrow, concerned.

“Yeah, I mean, kids can be a handful, but I’m doing okay,” I replied, trying to sound more confident.

“Okay, Kam. But how do you plan on hiding them from Zeke?” Amanda asked, noticing the resemblance.

“Yeah, we couldn’t help but notice. Looking at Roen, I felt like I was looking at Zeke, only Roen’s eyes are warmer,” Belle added.

“Well, I don’t want him to know about them. I don’t want any drama from him,” I replied.

“What the hell do you mean by drama?” Amanda asked.

“What if he’s in cahoots with my family? What if he tries to take my kids away? Zeke has so much influence; I could be silenced easily.”

“I can’t bear to be separated from my kids. Not by Zeke, not by my family, not by anyone,” I said firmly.

Belle was about to speak when my phone rang in the living room. I excused myself. As I approached, I heard Tyris ask her brothers to let her answer. She picked up the call.

The caller spoke, but Tyris’s reply stopped me in my tracks.

“Hello? Daddy? Is that you, Daddy?” she exclaimed, her innocent voice echoing.

Before I could react, she handed me the phone, her eyes wide with excitement.

“Tyris, honey, you can’t just answer the phone like that,” I scolded gently, trying to hide my surprise.

“But Mummy, is that our Daddy? Is he coming to see us soon?” she asked, her eyes full of hope.

“Don’t worry, baby. Daddy will come around soon, okay?” I replied, my heart melting. It broke my heart to see their yearning for their father, but I couldn’t allow it. Not now. The stakes were too high.

Taking a deep breath, I answered.

“Kamille?” Zeke’s voice was hesitant, unsure.

My heart skipped a beat. Damn heart.

“Yeah, it’s me, but who is this?” I whispered, trying to avoid revealing my recognition of his voice.

“Oh, I’m sorry, it’s Zeke. I just wanted to speak with you and check on…” he said, his voice tinged with concern. I cut him off.

“I… I can’t talk right now,” I stammered. “I’ll call you later,” I said before ending the call.

I felt eyes on me. Roen was staring intently. When did he grow up so much?

I smiled at him and returned to my friends. “Sorry about that,” I mumbled, avoiding their curious gazes.

“Kamille, what’s going on?” Belle asked, concern etched on her face, touching my arm.

“It’s nothing,” I insisted, forcing a smile. “Just… a wrong number.”

But I knew they saw through me. The fear of Zeke discovering the truth about the kids loomed, threatening to overwhelm me.

“You know you can’t hide them from him forever, right?” Amanda reminded me.

“I know, but I can’t tell him now,” I responded.

“If Zeke found out from someone else, it would be catastrophic, Kam,” Belle said.

“I know. That’s why I will tell him, but only at the right time. I still have a lot on my plate—finding out who sent my grandma’s will, the mysterious helper who rescued me, and bringing down the Manors. I can’t afford a Zeke-sized distraction right now.”

“I don’t trust anyone except you two and myself,” I added, feeling calmer.

“Oh, dear Kam. We’ll always be here for you,” Belle said, taking my hand. I forced a smile.

My phone buzzed with a new message. My heart sank. It was from Zeke:

Hey Kamille, I just want to meet up and talk things out. Pick the time and venue. I’ll be there. Zeke.

What does he think he’s doing? How did he even get my number? I didn’t give it to him at the airport, or at the bar.

Fuck you, Zeke!

He must have gotten it at the bar. I was drunk and vulnerable. He probably took it before or after we left his home. A blush crept onto my cheeks as I remembered that night.

“He still has that effect on you, doesn’t he?” Amanda’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I nodded.

“I thought as much. You still have feelings for him, don’t you?” Amanda asked.

“Wait, what are you talking about?” I asked.

Belle laughed. “He really does still have an effect on you, Kam. Whether you want to admit it or not, the facts are glaring.”

“Seven years later, and it still feels the same. I can’t let any man have this much control over me,” Amanda added, shaking her head.

“Hey, it’s called love. And it’s a beautiful experience,” Belle retorted playfully.

I smiled silently at their banter, overwhelmed by my emotions. Despite my efforts to move on, Zeke still held a powerful grip on my heart, terrifying and infuriating me.