Camilla turned to him, her frustration bubbling over. “Throw people away? You’re the ones who neglected me! You both replaced me the second she showed up.”
Jackson scoffed, his eyes narrowing. “If this is about Katie again, then you’re making a big deal out of nothing.”
Ridge nodded in agreement. “She hasn’t done anything to you, Camilla. Why are you always so bitter about her?”
Camilla let out a bitter laugh, shrugging as if their words didn’t sting. “You don’t get it, do you? It doesn’t matter. I’ll be out of your hair soon enough.”
Jackson frowned, confusion replacing his anger. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I resigned,” she said flatly, meeting their startled gazes. “The job I fought tooth and nail for because no one wanted a woman in the intelligence group? It’s done. You don’t have to deal with me anymore.”
Ridge stepped forward, his voice tinged with concern. “Camilla, why would you—”
Before he could finish, Jackson’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting instantly. “It’s Katie,” he muttered, answering the call.
“Jackson,” Katie’s voice came through, laced with exaggerated pain. “I hurt myself during training. Can you come help? I think I twisted my ankle.”
Without hesitation, Jackson turned to Ridge. “We need to go.”
Ridge nodded, already moving. They both looked at Camilla briefly, as if expecting her to protest, but she just waved them off. “Go. She needs you.”
They left in a hurry, and Camilla watched them disappear without a second glance back at her. She stood there, the smoke from the fire curling lazily into the sky, her frustration giving way to quiet resignation.
She wondered, almost idly, what they’d think if they knew she was getting married. Would they even care? Would it matter to them that she was leaving for good?
On her way to Martin’s office, she passed the training grounds. Her steps faltered as she spotted Katie, seated on the edge of a bench, with Jackson and Ridge hovering over her. Jackson held her ankle, inspecting it, while Ridge handed her a bottle of water.
Katie caught sight of Camilla and smiled sweetly, a smug glint barely concealed in her expression. She raised a hand in a cheery wave, playing the part of innocent charm.
Camilla didn’t react, keeping her face blank as she looked away and kept walking.
Memories tugged at the edges of her mind, unbidden and unwelcome. Years ago, it had been her in that same spot. She could still feel the sting of a twisted ankle from a mistimed spar, Jackson and Ridge rushing to her side, their concern genuine. Back then, they had cared about her, protected her. The three of them had been inseparable—a team that promised to stick together through anything.
But time had passed, and things had changed. Promises faded, loyalties shifted, and now, she was just a shadow of what once was, watching from the sidelines as someone else took her place.
By the time she reached Martin’s office, the ache of old memories had settled deep, but she pushed it aside. Martin looked up from his desk, his usual calm presence grounding her.
In Martin’s office, Camilla sat across from him, steadying her nerves. “Thank you for everything. You’ve been like a father to me.”
Martin’s expression softened. “You’ve earned your place here, Camilla. I’ve seen you fight for it every step of the way, proving everyone wrong.” He leaned forward. “Do Jackson and Ridge know about your resignation—or the marriage?”
Camilla shook her head. “About the resignation, yes, but they didn’t care. And no, and I’d rather they didn’t know about the marriage. They’ve moved on. This is just how it has to be.”
Martin sighed, his gaze thoughtful. “You three used to be so close. Remember when Ridge set up that obstacle course? You fell in the mud, and Jackson laughed so hard he couldn’t even help you out.”
A small smile crossed her face. “I didn’t talk to them for a week after that.”
“They practically camped outside your door, begging you to forgive them,” Martin chuckled. Then his tone turned serious. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell them? At least say goodbye?”
Camilla’s smile faded. “It’s better this way. Let’s just leave it at that.”
“You know I always thought you’d marry one of them,” he said.
Camilla smiled a little. “I thought so, too, but I think we really don’t know what the future holds. Please, make sure they will not know… until I am gone here.”
Martin studied her for a moment before nodding. “I’ll respect your decision. As a token of appreciation, I’ve arranged for a crystal plaque to honor your service. It should be in your room by now.”
Camilla nodded, her voice quiet. “Thank you, Martin. For everything.”
She left his office, her thoughts swirling. As she approached her room, she froze. Katie stood there, holding the plaque, her fingers tracing the inscription.
“Nice gift,” Katie said, her voice sweet but to Camilla who could see behind those innocent facade of Katie, it felt like a mockery.
