Chapter 170

Cameron's heart sank when Laura spoke to him. He remained silent, acknowledging that he was merely a lowly bodyguard in her eyes—a far cry from the knight she might momentarily fancy in distress. He knew such feelings were fleeting; once she regained her senses, she'd realize a knight was just a knight, her destiny lying with a prince.

He left amidst the Jones family's laughter and humiliation, crumpling Laura's farewell letter in his hand. Days of despair followed, culminating in his decision to leave Yrando. The incident revealed what men truly needed: power and status.

He leveraged his global contacts and accumulated resources, establishing his own company and crushing his rivals. He reached the pinnacle of fame and fortune, then sought the woman who'd helped him in his desperation. He traced her through a pink butterfly hair clip, identical to one Madison owned—a clip the woman had lost long ago.

He stepped back from the limelight, handing his company to Lord Blackheart, only to discover a misunderstanding. It wasn't Madison but Dakota who'd helped him; the clips came in pairs, and he'd found Dakota's. She'd given him her only piece of bread on a cold winter day, urging him to stay strong, a promise that had motivated him for over a decade. Without her, he might have frozen to death on the streets twelve years prior.

Now, Cameron aimed to repay Dakota, to give her everything he could offer, protecting her from harm, including himself. This is why he hesitated to reveal the truth about himself and Laura, fearing his lies would hurt her.

He never anticipated their relationship's evolution before seeing Laura again. He'd expected perpetual coldness, avoidance. But their interaction proved his heart independent of his intentions. [Remove the promotional sentence about the website.]

His recent encounters with Laura made him question the events of seven years prior. Why had she asked those strange questions at the waterfront if she felt nothing? Why had she insisted he attend the ceremony? He remembered her familiar actions when he carried her, suggestive of something more, and the fact that she kept their photo. These signs hinted at lingering feelings.

Despite the past hurt, Cameron never discarded Laura's love letter. Perhaps, deep down, he couldn't let go either; he just wouldn't admit it.

Sighing, Cameron decided to seek Laura out tomorrow, to clarify what happened seven years ago. Regardless of the outcome, he needed to know the truth; he couldn't leave things unresolved.