Katherine's face twisted with reluctance, but under Rafael's thunderous expression, she had no choice but to bow her head.
From beginning to end, Camille said nothing. After driving Katherine away, Rafael dropped to his knees beside the bed with a heavy thud.
"Camille, it's my fault. I've indulged Katherine far too much, letting her do as she pleased."
"The fire at the temple was an accident—I've already found a respected monk to consecrate a new memorial tablet, and the offerings will soon resume. As for Katherine's blessing lantern, I had it removed. Please... don't be angry with me anymore."
His voice carried rare sincerity, even a hint of pleading humility.
But Camille's heart felt like dead wood, drained and numb. She could no longer afford to let emotions put her baby at risk. Her friend had arranged everything—the staged death would take place in three days. She could not allow anything to jeopardize the plan.
Seeing her remain silent, Rafael grew restless. A sudden thought struck him like lightning.
"Camille... are you hiding something from me?"
Her body stiffened.
"Emmet told me yesterday—you've been selling off the houses and company shares I once put under your name. Why?"
Camille's fingers, hidden beneath the quilt, loosened slightly. Thankfully, he was only asking about this.
Without a change in her expression, she explained calmly, "There's a charity auction tomorrow. I heard some of the jewelry my parents had once donated will be on display. I wanted to buy them back... as keepsakes."
Suspicion ebbed from Rafael's eyes. His brows slowly relaxed.
"You should have told me. Why trouble yourself raising funds? Tomorrow, I'll go with you. Whatever you want, we'll buy it back together."
...
The next evening, Camille, elegantly dressed, appeared at the auction with Rafael, who wore a bespoke suit.
But before the bidding began, Rafael suddenly announced he would light a sky lantern tonight. The hall buzzed in astonishment, but Camille remained composed. She knew it was nothing more than a performance, a façade of being a devoted husband.
By the end of the night, Camille succeeded in reclaiming her parents' jewelry, bringing her a rare sliver of relief.
She sat at the cliffside bar afterward, gently brushing her fingertips over the gemstones that shimmered in the dim light. Her parents' graves had been dug up, their memorial tablets burned, and the family estate long gone. These jewels were all she had left to hold on to.
As she gazed at a necklace in her hand, lost in thought, a shadow fell across her. A hand snatched it away.
"Well, isn't this gorgeous? Miss Hudson, you really stole the spotlight tonight. And Rafael is so generous, spending so much on you. Since you've gained so much, why not give this necklace to me?"
It was Katherine. Somehow, she had found her way into the auction as well. Camille hadn't noticed her earlier.
"Give it back! That's not yours!" Camille shouted anxiously.
"Why so stingy, Miss Hudson? It's just one—"
"Katherine!" Rafael's voice cut through her mockery like a blade. "Enough! That necklace is Camille's parents' keepsake. Return it!"
Katherine's eyes welled up instantly, her tone pitiful. "Fine! Who would want a dead person's trinket anyway? If you don't want me to have it, then forget it. No need to yell at me!"
With feigned indignation, she flung the necklace—hurling it with deliberate force. It arced over the bar counter and vanished into the cliffside abyss.
"Wait—!"
Camille lunged instinctively, reaching out to snatch it back. But the gown she wore hampered her movements. And Katherine, pretending to "help," pressed against her waist—shoving her instead of steadying.
Her footing slipped. Her body toppled over the bar's edge.
In the brief instant before the plunge, she caught sight of Rafael—rushing forward, but not toward her. He had his arms wrapped protectively around Katherine, who had twisted her ankle.
The sea swallowed her with a merciless roar.
Icy water pierced her lungs. Her stomach throbbed with sharp, unbearable pain. She clutched at her belly as she sank deeper and deeper.
'Baby... I'm sorry. In this life... your mother couldn't protect you after all...'
