Troy’s face contorted into something ugly. He stepped closer, the smoke swirling between us. “What did you just say?” he hissed. “You want to forget us? Are you insulting me? Insulting Trevor? After everything we’ve done for you—since your parents died—”
I kept my arms at my sides, nails digging crescents into my palms. “I didn’t say anything you didn’t already know.”
He laughed. A sharp, humorless bark that made my stomach twist. “We took you in! We made sure you had everything! We run your precious business for you! And this is how you repay us—burning your past like it’s trash?”
I met his eyes, unflinching. “It is trash, Troy. That’s what it’s become.”
His nostrils flared. He lunged forward, fingers digging into my arm so tight I knew it’d bruise. “Say that again. Go on. Say it again, Camille.”
Silence. That was my weapon now. I swallowed every retort and let it sit heavy behind my ribs. I refused to give him my tears. Not this time.
“Why aren’t you saying something?” Troy snarled, shaking me once, twice. The smell of the fire clung to his shirt, the smoke clung to my hair. “Do you want me to call off the engagement? Is that what you want?”
Once, that threat would’ve made my knees buckle. Once, I would have begged him to stay. Once, I’d have folded myself into an apology I didn’t owe, just for a chance to keep him beside me. Once.
But not today.
“Do whatever you want, Troy.” My voice didn’t even crack. “You truly disappoint me.”
I saw the shock flicker across his eyes—just for a split second—before it curdled into rage. His mouth opened, ready to spit something cruel and familiar.
But Jasmine’s scream sliced through the dawn like a blade. “Help! Troy! Trevor! Help me!”
I heard footsteps pounding down the stairs. Trevor’s voice echoed in the hallway, frantic. “Jasmine? What happened?”
Troy released me like I was poison. Without another word, he ran to her—like he always did. My arm throbbed where his fingers had dug in, but I barely felt it. I stood there, listening to the two of them fawn over Jasmine’s fake cries, remembering how many times I’d screamed and no one had come.
She always knew how to play them, I thought bitterly. Jasmine was good at being helpless. Good at being adored. And I had been stupid enough to think she was my family.
I turned on my heel, stepping back into the cold emptiness of the apartment I paid for. I let their voices fade behind me. The moment my door clicked shut, the last bit of restraint I’d been holding in my chest finally loosened.
I crossed the room and picked up my phone with trembling fingers. I found the number—my lawyer’s private line. He answered on the second ring.
“Ms. Navarro? Are you alright?”
“No,” I said flatly, staring at the scorched edges of my memories still clinging to my skin. “But I will be. I want you to put the apartment up for sale. Find a bidder. Cash deal, no questions asked.”
There was a pause. “Ma’am, this is your primary residence—”
“I don’t care,” I snapped. “I want it gone. And there’s more.” I sank onto the edge of the bed, my pulse hammering in my ears. “Draft the paperwork to terminate Troy and Trevor’s contracts from Navarro Trading. Effective immediately.”
Another pause, sharper this time. “You want to fire them both? But they’re your co-managers—”
“Not for long,” I cut him off, a sick sort of relief pooling in my stomach. “I want them out of my business, out of my life. I’ll sign whatever I need to sign today.”
“Understood. I’ll start the process. Are you… certain?”
I looked around my room—once my sanctuary, now just a prison cell with white walls and broken promises. I thought about the day Troy had slipped the ring on my finger, the way Trevor used to laugh and swear he’d always protect me. I thought about my mother’s ring hidden in my dresser—my mother, who always said family is the people who never let you go.
They had let me go a long time ago. I was just the last to see it.
“I’m certain,” I breathed. “No more running in circles. I want my life back.”
“Okay, but the company, who will handle it for you?”
I responded with a smile. “Once I’m married, I’ll transfer the company to Martin’s name. He’s more than capable of running it. Better him than Troy, who only wants it for himself.”
There was nothing left to say after that. I ended the call before the lawyer could try to talk me out of it. I needed to believe I could still save something for myself. If Martin was willing to stand by my side—even if I’d spent half my life hating him—I’d let him.
