Chapter 5: Camille’s Price
Camille Hart woke shortly after noon in the penthouse where Nathaniel had spent the night.
A room-service tray remained untouched near the windows. Two champagne glasses stood beside the bed.
Nathaniel’s absence had not bothered her at first.
His panic had.
Camille had known he was married from the beginning. She had also known Sophia was pregnant.
Neither fact had stopped her.
Nathaniel had promised the marriage was dead.
He described Sophia as cold, sheltered, and interested only in preserving her family’s name. He claimed he stayed because divorce would disrupt business partnerships.
Camille believed what benefited her.
Now three attorneys had called before breakfast.
The Malibu estate had been flagged.
Her Manhattan condominium was under review.
A jeweler had received a document-preservation demand regarding purchases made in Nathaniel’s name.
Camille called him again.
This time he answered.
“We need to meet.”
“No.”
“Nathaniel, my attorney says the properties may have been purchased with misappropriated charitable funds.”
“He’s overreacting.”
“He says I could be investigated.”
“You didn’t know where the money came from.”
Camille looked around the penthouse.
“And if they don’t believe that?”
“Then say I handled everything.”
She became still.
“You want me to say you hid the source of the money from me?”
“I want you to tell the truth.”
“The truth is that you told me the money came from private investments.”
Nathaniel said nothing.
Camille laughed once, without humor.
“You never intended to divorce her, did you?”
“This is not the time.”
“You told me the foundation would be under your control after the baby was born.”
Nathaniel’s silence gave her the answer.
Camille ended the call.
Two hours later, she sat across from attorney Daniel Reeves.
He was older, cautious, and unimpressed by charm.
“Did Mr. Cross ever ask you to sign documents?” he asked.
Camille hesitated.
“Yes.”
“What kind?”
“Property agreements. Consulting invoices. A few letters.”
“Did you perform consulting services?”
“No.”
Reeves leaned back.
“Then those invoices may be evidence of fraud.”
Camille looked through the window at Manhattan.
For months, she imagined herself replacing Sophia in the Cross family photographs.
Now she understood that Nathaniel had never been building a future with her.
He had been building hiding places.
Reeves placed a legal pad before her.
“You need to decide whether you are going to protect him or protect yourself.”
Camille thought of the panic in Nathaniel’s voice.
Then she thought of Sophia, seven months pregnant, smiling politely at a charity gala while Camille wore a bracelet purchased with stolen money.
“What happens if I cooperate?”
“That depends on how honest you are.”
May you like
Camille picked up the pen.
For the first time since meeting Nathaniel, she told the entire truth.
