Never Truly Over Chapter 16

Chapter 16

He let out a self-deprecating laugh, pulling his gaze away and preparing to take a sip of water when a flash of light caught his eye. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the earring, which should have been quietly resting on his bedside table, was now adorning Quinn’s car. At that moment, he understood why Quinn had been waiting for him so late and had that hesitant expression on her face.

“It’s getting late. You should go to bed,” he said before heading back to his room.

Quinn felt anxious at his departure. She couldn’t fall asleep if she didn’t ask him the questions she wanted.

“Mr. Sutton…” she blurted out.

Cameron paused for a moment, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Then, he turned around and looked at Quinn, puzzled. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Well, um…” she hesitated, unsure how to ask why the earring was on the bedside table in the presidential suite.

“The earring is beautiful,” he remarked, picking up on her discomfort and giving her a lead-in.

Hearing him bring it up, Quinn’s cheeks flushed slightly as she looked down. “It was a gift from Simon,” she said meekly.

“Simon?” This was the second time he had heard her refer to him that day. After a moment of thought, he recalled something. “Is Simon the brother who was ill?”

Did he remember?

A flicker of surprise crossed Quinn’s face, quickly followed by a deeper blush. Cameron remembered Simon. Naturally, he also remembered those long nights they had spent together two years ago.

“Yes…” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Is he feeling better?” Cameron asked, although it was clear he wasn’t genuinely concerned about the answer.

“Thanks to you.” If it hadn’t been for the money Cameron had given her back then, Simon would likely have passed away, let alone have the luxury of studying abroad in Casadonia.

“I should be the one saying thanks to you.” It was nothing more than a business transaction between Quinn and Cameron—he paid to spend a night with her. There was no question of anyone doing the other a favor; it was purely an even exchange.

Chapter 16

Quinn understood his meaning and felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her, prompting her to look down in silence. Seeing her gaze drop, her cheeks flushed with shyness, as if she wished to find a hole to hide in, he decided to ease up. “Since the earring was a gift from your brother, make sure you don’t lose it again. If a hotel staff member finds it while cleaning, there’s no guarantee it will come back to you.”

Quinn’s head shot up at his words; her large eyes, which had been too shy to meet his gaze, suddenly sparkled. “You found this earring in this room?”

“Yes. Where else would I have found it?” he countered, a hint of amusement glimmering in his eyes.

Quinn sighed in relief, feeling her tightly wound nerves finally relax. If the earring had been found in the presidential suite, it meant he didn’t know that the person in the club lounge last night had been her. Perfect. She wouldn’t have to worry about that incident anymore. She just had to pretend like it never happened.

Cameron noted her reaction, turned silently, and returned to his room. When Quinn looked back up at him, she only saw his broad figure growing distant—a familiar sight from many nights two years ago when he had left just like this.

Quinn slept soundly that night. Perhaps the lingering questions in her heart had found answers, leaving her feeling unburdened. Although Cameron remembered their past, he hadn’t shown any sign of looking down on or resenting her. This led her to believe he was a gentleman with depth and character, and her earlier worries seemed quite petty now.

The next morning, Quinn was jolted awake by a chorus of pleas.