Determined to find her place in a life she no longer recognizes, Camilla sets out on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, she uncovers truths about herself, her family, and the betrayal that changed everything. With every step, she grows stronger, unearthing a resilience she never knew she had.
Chapter 1 walked right Into her trap
Camille's POV
A sharp, throbbing pain pounded in my head as I stirred awake. My body felt weak, and my senses were clouded by the lingering haze of the night before. Blinking against the harsh sunlight piercing through the curtains, I tried to sit up, only to realize-I couldn't move freely.
A weight pressed against my body. My breath hitched. My heart slammed against my ribs as my gaze darted to the figure lying beside me. A man. His arm draped over my waist like a claim. What? I screamed internally, my pulse racing in terror. With all the strength I could muster, I pushed myself up, the sheets slipping from my bare skin.
Then I saw them-my clothes. Scattered. On the floor.
A cold chill ran down my spine. My hands trembled as I clutched the duvet to my chest, my mind scrambling to piece together what had happened. How did I end up here? Naked. In bed with a stranger.
Tears burned at the back of my eyes. Then, like a cruel whisper in the wind, realization struck. Bella.
I gasped, the betrayal stinging deeper than anything else. She set me up. My own step sister had done this. Why? My chest heaved, anger bubbling beneath my skin. Before I could even process my emotions, the door suddenly burst open.
I froze.
There, standing in the doorway, was my father.
"Dad..." My voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper. My heart clenched as I saw the look on his face-disappointment. No anger, no yelling. Just silence, thick and suffocating.
I scrambled to pull the duvet tighter around me. "I can explain," I pleaded, my voice shaky, desperate. But he simply raised a hand, stopping me from saying anything further.
Then, from behind him, she stepped out. Bella.
A victorious smirk curled on her lips. "I told you, Father," she said, her voice dripping with false sincerity. "She lied about everything."
My stomach twisted into knots.
"Bella," I choked out, betrayal lacing my tone. "How could you?"
She just tilted her head, pretending to think. "Hmm... what do you mean Camile " she mocked, I don't understand the question she said faking her innocence.
I swallowed hard, shaking my head as tears spilled down my cheeks. Before I could even defend myself, my stepmother sauntered into the room, her lips curling into a sinister smirk.
"Well, well..." she hummed, scanning the scene before her. "Looks like you were having quite the fun night."
My throat constricted. Shame and anger warred within me. But it didn't matter what I said-none of them would listen. None of them cared.
I turned back to my father, my voice barely holding steady. "Dad, please..." But he said nothing. Without a word, he turned and walked away.
I felt something inside me break.
Bella let out a giggle, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers. "I hope you had fun," she teased, stepping further into the room. She leaned slightly, trying to get a look at the stranger still fast asleep beside me, but his face remained obscured. "I wonder who my friends picked for you," she mused. "Not that it matters-I bet he's ugly anyway." She let out a mocking laugh.
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palm. "Why did you do this?" My voice cracked.
Bella's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Do what, sister?" she taunted, her tone dripping with fake innocence.She just tilted her head, pretending to think. "Hmm... because it was so easy?" she mocked, crossing her arms. "Honestly, Camille, you were always too trusting. Too naive."
"I thought..." My voice wavered. "I thought you wanted us to be a happy family. I thought we were trying to make things right."
She scoffed. "Oh, Camille, how stupid can you be?" Her smile widened. "Did you really think I'd let you marry someone as influential as Raymond?" Her eyes gleamed with wicked amusement. "No, no, no. You don't deserve that. Now let's see if Daddy still wants to go through with your engagement."
My breath hitched. This was all about my marriage?
Bella gave me one last mocking glance before stepping toward the door. "Bye, sister," she chirped, her voice sickeningly sweet. "Enjoy the rest of your day." And with that, she was gone, leaving the room eerily silent.
I sat there, letting the tears fall freely. My mind raced with one desperate question-what do I do now?
I turned to the man beside me. His slow, steady breathing made it clear he was still fast asleep. My stomach churned in disgust. I reached out hesitantly, shaking his shoulder.
No response.
I shook him harder. Nothing. He was deep in whatever slumber held him hostage.
A fresh wave of anger surged through me. I wish I could just kill him. Right here. Right now. But what would that change? Nothing. The damage had already been done.
I had trusted Bella. And I had walked right into her trap.
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