Kamille's POV
I woke up groggy, my thoughts immediately turning to Royer. I patted him affectionately before getting out of bed to clean him and ensure he had enough food.
Once Royer was cared for, I tended to myself, moving through my morning routine in a haze. Next, I checked in with Amanda and Belle. I called Amanda. "Hey Amy, how are you all doing? Have the kids eaten?" I asked, my voice etched with concern.
"Hey girl. We're good and on our way to the hospital," Amanda replied.
"That's good," I replied, releasing a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
"Zeke sent a private chef for breakfast," she added, her tone filled with gratitude.
"Alright then. I'll see you guys soon," I said, and we hung up.
In that fleeting moment, I marveled at Zeke's meticulous care. Despite his fussing yesterday, his unwavering support never ceased to amaze me.
A warm feeling enveloped my heart as I considered his efforts to ensure our comfort. Just then, the door burst open, and the kids rushed in, clad in adorable new outfits.
"Mummy, Mummy, Mummy!" they chorused, rushing to me. I enveloped them in a hug.
"How are you doing, my loves?" I asked. They responded that they were doing great.
After the initial excitement, I noticed their new clothes. "Wow, you all look adorable! Where did these come from?" I asked.
Amanda and Belle exchanged a knowing look. "Zeke sent them over, too," they revealed.
Baffled, I furrowed my brows. "But didn't Dona send their clothes?"
"Yes, but they were left in one of Zeke's cars, which was already returned to his main house," they explained.
"Oh," was all I could muster.
Before I could dwell on it, Tyris bounded over, clutching a plush rabbit. "Look what the man who looks like Reon got me!" she exclaimed.
Amused and puzzled, I asked, "How do you know it was him?"
With absolute certainty, Tyris replied, "I just know," before dashing off to show her brothers, leaving me and my friends bewildered.
We exchanged bemused glances, equally perplexed by the mysterious benefactor. They excused themselves to check on Royer.
As I watched my four children playing, laughter filling the room, and my friends joining in, a warmth spread through me. It was a beautiful sight that eased my worries.
Yet, my thoughts drifted back to a haunting dream. In it, my children were taken from me, leaving me helpless and inconsolable. Tears welled in my eyes as I recalled the terror.
I remembered my grandmother's comforting presence in the dream, but the details faded quickly, leaving me grasping at fragments of a fleeting memory.
Before I could delve deeper, Amanda and Belle gently interrupted. "We have to head to work soon," they said.
I mustered a smile. "I understand," I replied softly.
As they prepared to leave, Amanda's voice became serious. "Kamille, you need to send those pieces of evidence against Gabriel now," she insisted.
"But why now?" I questioned, noting we'd just released Liz's evidence.
Amanda explained, "The blogger has gathered more evidence against Gabriel. He's been involved in rape, harassment—everything. And whenever someone tried to speak out, he silenced or bought them off."
A cold shiver ran down my spine. "But why strike now?" I asked.
"Because the Manor scandal is in the headlines; people are paying attention. This is our chance to expose him," Amanda replied. "Before, they could cover it up easily. Now, with all eyes on the Manor scandal, it'll be much harder to bury the evidence. The police will have no choice but to act."
"You're right," I conceded. "Okay, I will do that."
Turning to Belle, I noticed her quiet demeanor. "Are you okay, Belle? You don't have to go if you're not up to it," I said.
Belle offered a weak smile. "Yeah, I'm just tired. My fiancé is coming over," she admitted.
"That's wonderful! You'll introduce us soon, right?" I asked.
Belle's response was less enthusiastic. "Yeah."
Amanda agreed, but I detected sarcasm. Before I could address it, she interjected, "I have to go to a meeting."
As Amanda left, Zeke and his friends entered. I knew their names but hadn't interacted with them—or really with my husband, for that matter.
Tyris's eyes lit up, and she darted towards Zeke.
He scooped her up, eliciting laughter as he spun her around. Her joy was palpable, and I smiled.
"She's so thrilled," I remarked to Belle. "I've never seen her this excited before."
A bittersweet feeling washed over me. For Tyris, this was her first experience with her father, though they knew nothing of their relationship.
Torin, noticing his sister's excitement, ran towards Zeke. "I want, I want, I want!"
I intervened calmly. "Hey, kids, what's going on?"
Zeke, with Tyris still in his arms, assured me, "It's fine, Kamille. I don't mind."
I offered a polite smile, though a small part of me remained unsettled.
I noticed Zane glancing at Belle. My brows furrowed, but I composed myself. I worried about Belle's safety; she was undeniably beautiful, and I wondered about the intentions of those around her. She deserves to be cherished and respected. And, by the way, she's engaged to be married.
Zeke introduced his friends. "Amanda, Belle, meet Zane and Fletcher. Zane, Fletcher, these are Amanda and Belle."
Pleasantries were exchanged. However, when Zeke introduced them to me, a subtle tension hung in the air. "And this is Kamille, my ex-wife," he stated formally.
I offered a polite smile, but the weight of the designation lingered. "Nice to meet you," I replied. I had told Zeke I didn't want my visit publicized; bringing his friends here was confusing.
Amanda left for her meeting.
I turned to Zeke. "Zeke, why were so many hospital staff greeting Royer? They brought gifts and balloons; it was surprising," I asked.
I caught a fleeting glance between him and his friends before he replied casually, "Maybe it's because you came in with me."
Though plausible, suspicion lingered. For the sake of peace, I let it go, focusing on Royer's recovery.
"Perhaps," I replied.
Zeke smiled, but a hint of tension remained.
I changed the subject. "Thank you all for coming. It means a lot," I said to his friends.
They smiled.