Chapter 8 - CAMILLE’S GAMESCamille was not as powerful as Beatrice.
She was meaner.
Beatrice cared about appearance.
Camille enjoyed provocation.
She left luxury catalogs on Audra’s chair with expensive items circled.
Then told Beatrice Audra had been “hinting” for gifts.
She moved receipts into Audra’s desk.
Told cousins Audra wanted estate attorney’s number.
One afternoon Audra overheard Camille laughing:
“She came with one suitcase and a kid, now she walks around like Montgomery.”
Audra stepped into room.
“I came with more than a suitcase.”
Camille shrugged.
“Did you?”
Audra’s eyes narrowed.
“What do you want from me?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s not true.”
Camille smiled.
“I want you to stop pretending this is permanent.”
Audra stared.
“My marriage?”
“Everything.”
That night Audra almost told Grant.
Video call connected.
He sat in hotel room in London.
Tie loosened.
Eyes exhausted.
Behind him, three phones ringing.
He smiled when he saw her.
“Hey, beautiful.”
Audra’s anger disappeared.
“How are you?”
“Dead.”
Caleb jumped onto screen.
“Dad!”
Grant lit up.
For twenty minutes they talked.
Caleb showed drawing.
Grant promised weekend.
Then someone knocked.
“Baby, I have to go.”
Audra opened mouth.
Grant looked.
“What?”
She almost said it.
Beatrice.
Camille.
The comments.
The photos.
The fear.
Instead:
“We miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
Call ended.
Audra sat in dark.
May you like
She told herself she was strong enough.
She did not understand that silence can become permission even when motivated by love.
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