Chapter 3 - THE SISTER WHO WANTED EVERYTHING
Camille Hale had always hated being second.
Second daughter.
Second choice.
Second person invited to family gatherings.
Vivian had been the responsible one.
The intelligent one.
The girl teachers praised.
The daughter their father trusted.
Camille had been beautiful.
Charming.
And endlessly compared to her older sister.
When Vivian married Matteo Draven, Camille told everyone she was happy.
She wasn't.
She wanted the house.
The cars.
The diamonds.
The way people lowered their voices when Matteo entered a room.
And most of all, she wanted to know what it felt like to be chosen over Vivian.
The affair began in June.
At least, that was what Matteo believed.
Camille knew it had begun much earlier.
Not physically.
Not at first.
It began with small things.
A hand on his arm.
A joke Vivian didn't hear.
A late-night conversation after a charity dinner.
Then a kiss.
Then another.
Camille had convinced herself Matteo loved her.
But on New Year's morning, she learned the truth.
He stood in the guest wing doorway.
His face was cold.
“Pack your things.”
Camille stared.
“What?”
“Leave.”
She laughed nervously.
“Matteo, don't be ridiculous.”
He stepped closer.
“My wife is missing.”
Camille's smile faded.
“I know.”
“And you helped cause it.”
Her eyes filled.
“You kissed me.”
“Yes.”
“You wanted me.”
Matteo's jaw tightened.
“That doesn't change what happened.”
Camille stared at him.
“Are you blaming me?”
“I'm blaming myself.”
For a moment, she looked surprised.
Then anger replaced it.
“Vivian was never enough for you.”
Matteo's expression changed.
“Don't.”
“She was boring. Always tired. Always talking about the baby.”
“Stop.”
Camille laughed bitterly.
“You told me yourself. She never understood your world.”
Matteo stepped forward.
His voice dropped.
“Whatever I said to justify my behavior was cowardice. Don't mistake it for truth.”
Camille stared.
He continued.
“Vivian built a life with me. She trusted me. And I betrayed her.”
Tears spilled down Camille's cheeks.
“What about us?”
Matteo looked at her.
“There is no us.”
The words struck harder than a slap.
Camille stepped backward.
“You can't mean that.”
“I do.”
She stared at him.
Then her expression changed.
Something ugly moved behind her eyes.
“You think she'll come back?”
Matteo said nothing.
Camille laughed.
“She won't.”
He looked at her.
“What do you know?”
“Nothing.”
“Camille.”
She lifted her chin.
“Maybe she finally realized what kind of man you are.”
Matteo studied her.
Then he said, “Luca will escort you out.”
Camille grabbed her purse.
“You'll regret this.”
Matteo looked away.
“I already do.”
She left the estate twenty minutes later.
But she didn't go home.
She drove to a private office in downtown Chicago.
A man waited behind a mahogany desk.
He was fifty-eight, silver-haired, and wore a dark blue suit.
His name was Victor Salerno.
He smiled when Camille entered.
“Well?”
She dropped into a chair.
“Vivian disappeared.”
Victor's smile vanished.
“What?”
“She left last night.”
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
Victor leaned forward.
“Did she take the files?”
Camille hesitated.
“I think so.”
His expression hardened.
“You think?”
Camille swallowed.
“She had been asking questions.”
Victor stood.
“Then we have a problem.”
Camille stared at him.
“You said Matteo would choose me.”
Victor laughed softly.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
She went cold.
“What?”
“You were never supposed to replace Vivian.”
Camille's throat tightened.
“Then why did you tell me—”
“Because I needed Matteo distracted.”
She stared.
Victor continued.
“Your sister was getting too close to Blackwater.”
Camille's face drained.
“You used me?”
Victor smiled.
“Of course.”
She stood.
“I want out.”
Victor's expression changed.
“You don't get out.”
Camille backed away.
“I didn't agree to hurt Vivian.”
“No?”
He tilted his head.
“You agreed to help destroy her marriage.”
Camille swallowed.
“That isn't the same thing.”
Victor walked around the desk.
“Not to you.”
He stopped in front of her.
“But it is to me.”
Camille felt real fear for the first time.
Victor leaned closer.
“Find your sister.”
She shook her head.
“I don't know where she is.”
“Then make yourself useful.”
He smiled without warmth.
“Because if Vivian reaches the authorities with those records, Matteo won't be the only one who loses everything.”
Camille stared at him.
“And if I refuse?”
May you like
Victor's smile disappeared.
“Then you'll learn what happens to people who disappoint me.”
