Chapter 231
Lucy glanced down at herself. Her clothes were still neat, suggesting that Turner hadn’t taken advantage of her while she was drunk.
Her head pounded as she tried to make sense of things. Lucy had never been much of a drinker and hadn’t realized she could become such a handful when drunk.
It was Camila’s wedding day. Lucy got too excited and had a few extra drinks, but she hadn’t expected things to get so messy.
Forcing herself to stay calm, Lucy looked at Turner, who appeared disheveled. Feeling guilty, she apologized, “I’m sorry. I was drunk. I didn’t mean to.”
Turner stared at Lucy and replied, “Ms. Clark, after what you’ve done to me, do you think a simple apology is enough?”
Lucy thought, ‘I’ve messed up this time.‘ It was clear he wasn’t going to let this slide. Lucy couldn’t blame him; if she’d been harassed by a drunk stranger, she’d probably have called the police by now.
Lucy looked regretful and said, “I know an apology isn’t enough. If there’s anything I can do to make it up to you, just say it. I’ll do my best to make amends.”
Turner couldn’t help but find her flustered apology cute, though he kept it to himself. He realized he enjoyed teasing her like this. While it might not be the most gentlemanly behavior, he didn’t want to miss this chance to get closer to Lucy.
A voice deep inside him insisted that if he let her go now, he might never meet someone who fits his heart so perfectly again. That thought alone made him determined to seize this opportunity, no matter the cost.
Turner took a deep breath and said, “Although what you did wasn’t intentional, it still happened. You took my first kiss. I’m a traditional person, and I almost lost my virginity to you today. So, why don’t I just become your boyfriend right now?”
Lucy was stunned. She had expected him to demand money or ask her to do something impossible. She hadn’t expected such a direct request.
Seeing that Lucy hadn’t responded for a long time, Turner felt nervous and thought, ‘Is she going to reject me?’
Suppressing his anxiety, Turner added, “Remember when you promised me a favor in the car? Well, be my girlfriend, and I’ll be your boyfriend. That way, everything that happened between us will be explained.”
Lucy snapped out of her daze and studied Turner. He was handsome, exactly the type she liked. From the moment she first saw him, she’d felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Since she didn’t dislike him and had indeed wronged him, it only seemed right to do something for him.
Clearing her throat to ease the awkwardness, Lucy asked, “Is that your only request?”
Turner nodded. “Yes, just this one. So, what do you say?”
After a moment of hesitation, Lucy nodded as well. “I–I’m willing.”
Turner lowered his gaze, hiding the intensity of his emotions. Finally, Lucy was his girlfriend. A sense of relief washed over him, as if he had finally found what he had been searching for.
However, he was also very certain that he had never cared this much about a woman. Perhaps this was what they called love at first sight, The feelings came on so fiercely, so uncontrollably.
Lucy tidied her clothes and stood up from the bed. “The wedding banquet is probably over, Let’s head out,” she said. “Alright,” Turner replied, his mood visibly lifted. He straightened his attire and walked out of the lounge with Lucy,
As soon as they reached the banquet hall, they ran into Hazel. She grabbed Lucy’s arm and said, ‘Lucy, where have you been? I’ve been calling you nonstop.
Laury glanced at Turner beside her, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I drank too much earlier and ended up napping in the lounge,” she explained
“Alright” Hazel said, not thinking much about it. She then led Lucy over to Camila
Camila took Lucy’s hand. Lucy, thank you”
Lucy smiled. “It’s your wedding day. I’m happy to help, u’s no trouble at all
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10:49 AM
Chapter 231
“Where are you heading later?” Camila asked.
“I’ll go to the National Research Institute,” Lucy replied.
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“Why don’t you take our car? We can drop you off on the way,” Camila suggested.
Lucy shook her head. “Camila, I can go back on my own. It’s your wedding day. Enjoy your time with Mr. Campbell. Don’t worry about me.” As she spoke, she gently pushed Camila into Giovani’s arms.
Giovani raised an eyebrow. “How about letting Turner take Lucy back to the National Research Institute?” he proposed.
The suggestion was what Turner had hoped for. “Don’t worry, Mr. Campbell. I’ll make sure Ms. Clark gets back safe and sound,” he assured them before turning to Lucy. “Lucy, shall we?”
Lucy met his earnest gaze, feeling embarrassed but also unable to refuse.
The group left the hotel. By this time, the rain had already stopped. Lucy got into Turner’s car and left.
As Camila and Giovani were about to get into the car, a gentle voice echoed. “Camila.”
Camila paused mid–step. Even after ten years, that voice was familiar. Without responding, she continued walking toward the car.
Belinda’s voice trembled as she explained, “Camila, I’m not here to cause trouble. I just wanted to wish you a happy wedding.”
Camila stopped again, her tone icy. “I’ve heard your blessing. You can leave now.”
Belinda’s face twisted in pain. “Ten years have passed, can’t you forgive me?”
For the past decade, Belinda had thought of Camila every day. She had longed to make amends, to shower her with love, and to repay the debts of their previous life. But she knew Camila didn’t care for her apologies.
Because she understood Camila’s resolute nature, Belinda had forced herself to stay away, no matter how much she missed her. She endured the pain for a decade.
Though Belinda wasn’t even fifty, her hair had turned completely white, and her frail figure looked decades older. The years of guilt and longing had left their mark on her health. She could feel her time was running out.
All Belinda wanted was to see Camila get married and witness her happiness. She dreamed of seeing Camila have children. If Camila let her meet her future grandchild, she could pass away without regrets.
With that fragile hope, she had come to Northeville. But she couldn’t get to the Skyline Hotel. She could only wait outside, believing that even standing there counted as witnessing Camila’s happiness.
Belinda’s eyes brimmed with desperate hope as she looked at Camila. She longed to hear the word of forgiveness from Camila. But in the end, all she felt was profound disappointment.
Camiia’s gaze was cold, piercing, and emotionless. “Do you truly believe you deserve my forgiveness?”
Belinda’s body trembled at those words. Memories of the harm she had caused Camila in their previous life flooded her mind. Even Belinda couldn’t convince herself that she deserved forgiveness. Her desire for Camila’s pardon was a selfish wish to alleviate her guilt.
A bitter laugh escaped her lips, her voice breaking. “You’re right. I don’t deserve it. I understand now, Camila. I won’t bother you again. But I still wish you happiness, sincerely.”
Camila didn’t spare her another glance as she stepped into the car. She thought, I can’t forgive Arthur, how can I forgive Belinda?‘ In their previous life, Belinda’s actions were even more unforgivable than Arthur’s.
Arthur had targeted Camila because he believed Agnes was his biological daughter. However, Belinda had always known that Agnes was adopted, yet she still humiliated Camila for Agnes’s sake.
Camila had a new life, but that didn’t mean she could forgive the past. Camila thought, ‘How can I forgive Belinda and Arthur? How can I face Lucy, who killed to avenge ine? No, I won’t forgive them
The car door closed with a soft thud, and the engine hummed as the vehicle pulled away, leaving Belinda alone. She stared blankly at the retreating car, her voice trembling as she whispered. “This is my punishment. I don’t deserve your forgiveness.
“But I don’t have much time left. I just want to hear you call me Mom one last time
Belinda felt as if all her strength had drained away. She swayed violently, nearly collapsing
10:49 AM Ժ
Chapter 231
Just as she was about to fall, a steady hand caught her. She looked up and met Harry’s worried gaze. “Mom, are you okay?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Belinda shook her head weakly. “I’m fine,” she said softly.
Harry had been sentenced to ten years in prison and had been out for less than a month. The time behind bars had stripped him of his pride and arrogance. Strangely, he found life behind bars oddly familiar.
Harry didn’t know the reason. And there were nightmares, relentless and vivid, haunting him every single night.
In those dreams, he was cruel and heartless, tormenting Camila with both words and violence. Agnes’s tricks were obvious, yet their entire family seemed blind to the truth, repeatedly hurting Camila.
The dreams lasted for ten years, tormenting and causing him immense suffering. He couldn’t understand why he would have such dreams until he was released from prison and returned home to confide in Belinda. Only then did she reveal the reason to him.
It wasn’t just a dream; it was reality. In their previous life, they had been so cruel to Camila that they left her disabled. The nightmares were not just guilt, but the burden of his previous sins.
“Mom, what can we do? Camila won’t forgive us, will she?” Harry asked.
Belinda felt a sharp pain in her chest, and a hot stream uncontrollably gushed from her nose and mouth. She spat out a mouthful of blood, and her vision began to darken in waves.
“Mom!” Harry shouted, terrified.
Belinda gave a bitter laugh. She thought, ‘All of this is the retribution I deserve.
Belinda slowly opened her eyes in the hospital room. She pulled the IV needle from her hand, got out of bed, and walked toward the door.
Just as her hand reached the doorknob, she overheard the doctor speaking to Harry. “Your mother has late–stage stomach cancer. At most, she has six months left.”
“Please save her!” Harry’s voice trembled with desperation.
The doctor sighed, “It’s too late. Instead of spending money on futile treatments, take her home and let her spend her remaining days in peace.” The doctor walked away, leaving Harry slumped against the wall, his face pale and filled with despair.
The door opened, and Belinda stepped out. Harry looked up sharply and asked, “Mom, you heard everything?”
Belinda nodded. “I heard it all. Treatment won’t help anymore. Let’s go home.”
“But-” Harry wanted to say something.
Belinda interrupted firmly, “At this stage, treatment is meaningless. Her gaze softened as she thought of Camila.
In her previous life, during the three years Camila lived with the Jackson family, she never had a proper hot meal. She would go hungry all day, only getting to eat the family’s leftovers after school.
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Carrila, who had never developed stomach issues in the orphanage, ended up with them after joining the Jackson family. Camila always thought Belinda didn’t know about her condition, but Belinda had always known. She just pretended not to and never cared.
One night, Harry had a severe stomachache. Camila was always there to take care of him.
That night, Belinda got up and accidentally saw Camila, exhausted, sitting on the living room sofa after tending to Harry. She was quietly taking Harry’s stomach medicine.
It was only then that Belinda realized Camila also had stomach issues. She had always assumed that Camila, having grown up in an orphanage, could handle hardship–stomach problems seemed trivial by comparison.
But now she understood that enduring hardshop didn’t mean strength; it just meant a life filled with endless suffering.
Ins her previous life, Carmila had suffered so much. Now, it was Belinda’s turn to experience the pain of a stomachache.
Let’s go home Belinda said again
Mom, you’re so sick. You should tell Camila. After all, she’s your daughter Harry suggested.
10:50 AM
Chapter 231
Belinda chuckled bitterly. “In our previous life, when Camila was bedridden and helpless, no one in the Jackson family cared for her.”
Harry fell silent, unable to say another word.
After being discharged, they returned to Sancho. Over the past ten years, Belinda had kept herself constantly busy with work, trying to avoid overthinking. As a result, they still lived comfortably in a villa, with no worries about food or clothing.
But once home, Belinda became bedridden. She quietly signed over all her assets to Harry.
Harry hesitated, his voice trembling. “Mom, shouldn’t you leave something for Camila?”
Pain flickered in Belinda’s eyes. “Do you think I don’t want to? But I know Camila won’t accept it. She’s desperate to sever all ties with us. Why would she want anything from me?
“Harry, all the assets are yours. If, in the future, Camila ever forgives you, give her the share that belongs to her.”
“Alright, Harry agreed.
Time slipped unnoticed, and half a year had passed. Stomach cancer had ravaged Belinda’s body, leaving her skeletal as she lay in bed.
Seeing Belinda in such a state, Harry couldn’t hold back his tears. “Mom, I’ll go find Camila right now. Please hold on. I promise I’ll bring her back.”
Belinda mustered all her strength to grab his hand, her voice barely a whisper. “Don’t go. I can’t let her see me like this. I don’t want her last memory of me to be so pitiful.”
She knew that even if Harry went to find Camila, she wouldn’t come. All Belinda wanted was to maintain dignity in her final moments. Her gaze grew gloomy, and her thoughts drifted to Camila. She thought, ‘Camila, my heart aches at your coldness. But I know I have no right to blame you. I brought this to myself. Even as I’m dying, I don’t deserve your forgiveness.
‘If there’s another chance, I hope to start over sooner before I lose you. With that, Belinda closed her heavy eyelids and took her last breath.
In Northeville, Camila suddenly felt a sharp pang in her chest, so intense it nearly made her faint,
Seeing her in such distress, Giovani immediately called the family doctor. After a thorough check–up, the doctor beamed and announced, “Congratulations, Mr. Campbell! Mrs. Campbell is pregnant.”
Camila’s face lit up with surprise and joy. The sudden discomfort was due to her pregnancy. As the good news sank in, her pain seemed to vanish.
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