CAMILLA’S POV.
A somber, high-class restaurant smells of exclusiveness.
Each step I took felt like more and more weight being pressed down on me, as if with each step further inside, the more the weight of my past life weighed me down.
There was complete silence, eerily so; tables devoid of any guests to speak of, save for one man sitting at a table right in the middle.
Tom Lockwood.
Of course, my father had it arranged so the whole place was empty.
He was always planning things well: never any distractions, not even the opportunity for an escape.
But I wasn’t here to try and resist.
At least, not outwardly.
Tom’s gaze rose from his phone as I approached; his dark eyes locking with mine.
Then, a smirk played on his lips after that, smooth, cold, rehearsed as I remembered.
Standing up, his towering frame seemed to ooze confidence.
The buttoning of the suit jacket still chanted superiority.
Every move shrieked control.
“Camilla,” he greeted me in a smooth, emphatic, rehearsed tone.
“You’re more stunning than expected.”
I wrangled a soft smile, my eyes cast just low enough to look meek.
“Thank you, Tom.” My tone was soft and subtle.
Just what he liked.
We sat, and the minute I did, his gaze began to sweep over me, gauging, measuring.
I kept my face soft, hands folded in my lap, though the anger churned just below the surface.
“It’s nice to finally meet you. Your father spoke so highly of you.” He settled back into his chair with confident charm.
“He made it clear this alliance would be beneficial for all of us.”
I nodded, falling as if in some doubt of myself-very slow.
“My father… he just wants what is most suitable for the business. For all of us.” The words seemed to choke in bitterness within my mouth, but I swallowed them and kept the smile plastered on my face.
Tom chuckled; he was pleased with my response.
“Smart man, your father. He knows this marriage is the perfect solution. A strong union between our families will keep his businesses afloat.”
“Of course. It is. It is such a great responsibility, yet I trust my father to know what he is doing.”
Inside, I wanted to tear his intestines out.
Each word he spoke reeked of pride as if he were the owner of me and my father and all things dear to me.
Still, deep inside, I knew that I was to play the fool-naïve, compliant daughter who knew none better.
Then one of them came forward to take our orders, and when he had walked away and we were alone again, Tom changed.
Slightly leaning forward, eyes narrowed.
“You know, Camilla, this is quite a big step for you. Marrying into a family like mine comes with certain expectations.”
I nodded slightly hesitantly.
“I understand.”
“Good,” he said, his voice taking on an even lower timber.
“I’m not looking for surprises. Your father made a promise to me that everything will go off without a hitch, and I expect you to make good on that promise.”
My fingers clenched on my napkin in my lap under the tablecloth, but I kept my face serene.
“I’ll do whatever is necessary to support our families.”
Now his smile was full, and he seemed rather pleased with my submissiveness.
“That’s just what I like to hear. I knew you’d be different from the other women I’ve dealt with. They always get too emotional, too… complicated.”
My stomach twisted in disgust as I kept my tone soft and agreeable.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity to help. I only want what’s best for everyone.”
Tom leaned back in his chair, staring at me a second longer, apparently almost incredulous at just how easy this was going.
“Your father was right about you. You’re not like the others. You understand the bigger picture.”
I nodded, looking down once more, feigning humility.
“I just want to make sure my father’s legacy stays strong.”
He reached for his drink and took a slow sip, his eyes never leaving mine.
“And that’s exactly why this will work. You and I, we both know what’s at stake here. Your father’s business needs this. So play your role well.”
I forced a small laugh, hoping to quiet in bashfulness.
“It’s just… such a big change.
But I’m sure we’ll make it work.
On the surface, I cooled myself.
Had to.
With so much hanging in the balance, Jasper’s future, my freedom, everything hung on a thread, and the last thing I needed was for Tom or my father to suspect that I was objecting to one word.
Dinner remained largely like this: Tom talking, me listening, and nodding in agreement to each belittling comment he let fall.
Every word fell from his lips, a heavyweight, to pin me down, but with quiet patience, I stood it, full well knowing my time to strike would be later and when least expected.
By this time we were practically finished with dinner.
Tom leaned over toward me, a note of triumph on his face.
“I am looking forward to what the future holds, Camilla. I really think we are going to be quite something in the way of a team.”
I smiled this time more softly, almost coy.
“I’ll do my best to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
Tom’s smirk was back and he leaned forward, his hand brushing mine in a passing touch, a claim to ownership, dominance.
“I know you will. You’re a smart woman.”
I swallowed the bile rising in my throat and nodded.
“Thanks, Tom.”
Finally standing to leave, the cool night air hit my face like a splash of reality as finally I could breathe again.
I knew this was far from being over, with Tom and my father going to further push and tighten their grip, while I had to keep the role going, at least until I could find a way out.
But one thing was for sure: I wouldn’t be at its mercy any longer.
This time, if nothing else, I would not let them get the better of me.
I finally made it home, in a quiet house, the soft hum of the baby monitor even seemed loud as I checked on Jasper.
He lay sleeping soundly, his small chest in a rhythmic rise and fall.
I leaned over his crib and pressed a soft kiss against his forehead.
“We’re going to be okay,” I said, but the anxiety still sounded like a loud note within my chest.
I walked toward the bedroom when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
I pulled it out, looking down at the screen, and missed a beat as a name popped up.
Dante.