Chapter 3 Unsheltered

Camille Christopher was shocked and rendered momentarily dazed. Her stepmother was part of the set up?

"I got everything back. That girl shouldn't have been allowed in this home in the first place. But now, she takes from Diana what was supposed to be hers alone". Willow said excitedly.

She seemed to be in Company of some people. Camille never thought she would be involved in something so shady.

"Aunt, I told you to leave everything in my hands. I was going to strip her off everything she's got. I not only did that but also made her lose her first time to a hooker. Who's going to marry a girl who's poor and not innocent. Such a combination in a woman drives men far away like the west from the East". Colton praised himself.

"Mum, I told you to have full faith in Colton. He had proven himself competent to be my husband". Diana said shyly.

"Absolutely Diana. Congratulations once again". Willow said and heard the sound of glasses clicking.

They were having a toast to her downfall? She tore the door knob and stepped in. The guests were surprised when they saw her and none of them made any sound for the next few seconds.

Camille palm formed into a fist. This is a confederacy of conspirators. They plotted against her and she unknowingly fell into their trap.

She looked at their faces one after the other. They were four in number. Willow and her daughter Diana, Colton and his mother Cherry Lu. These are the people who dragged her into the mire.

But one day, she would rise again and pay every one of them for what they had done to her.

"Tik..tik..tik see who we have here? The adulterous wife. You still have the effrontery to come back here? You actually threw away the last bit of shame you have left?" Willow mocked.

She eyed Camille from her head down to her toes. She walked over and walked around her. Before she laughed out loud.

"You've heard everything we said right? Well I am going to tell you how it all started. I had planned this a long time ago with my dear friend Cheryl Williams.

We had her Son help us execute the plans in exchange for him marrying Diana. I forced you Into the marriage so that we can get everything back later.

That's why Colton never touched you nor had sex with you. He will be Diana's and cannot waste his manliness on an illegitimate daughter like you.

We organized the party solely for this purpose and Colton was the one who drugged you. You were hooked up with a man and the rest you know about it.

This house is out of bounds for you. Everything I have done for you and the years I have accommodated you is all you will have and live in that memory". Willow declared without remorse.

Camille wanted to cry but held her tears. She will not appear weak before these people otherwise they would mock her the most.

"What have I ever done to you to deserve this?" Camille asked. She wants to know why she did this. Is it because her father divided his wealth between her and Diana? She's the eldest after all or was it because her parents did get to be married before birthing her?

"Because you are Christopher's illegitimate daughter" Willow replied and eyed her before drinking from her glass.

"Colton and I are married Camille, we are happy". Diana said, raising her finger and letting Camille see the golden wedding ring on her finger.

"Congratulations Diana. I wish you both the happiness that you truly deserve" Camille replied and she saw Colton squinted.

She wasn't wishing them goodness at all, she was actually cursing them and Colton understood. He couldn't say anything about what she said but knew Camille's heart has nothing good in there for them but retribution.

He felt a little uncomfortable with the way Willow treated Camille but at that point he couldn't go back on what he had done. He was pushed into this act by his mother with the promise that he would own the entire Christopher's business if he eventually married the legitimate daughter.

What else was Camille waiting for? She turned her back and left. As she opened the door and stepped it, she turned back to look at the house that holds her childhood memories.

Where her father carries her and Diana on his thighs or shoulder and they play like a mother dog and her puppies. But today, that house was out of bounds for her henceforth.

She let go of the door and it jammed on its own accord. She walked briskly out of the valvast compound and the tears she had been trying to hold back seemed as if they were let loose and it flowed down her cheeks uncontrollably.

She wandered on the street and didn't know where to go. She was loitering on the pedestrian when she stumbled upon her childhood school friend.

"Camille" Ruby's called and ran to hold her. That was when Camille saw many people turn and stare at her. And suddenly a car going at a high speed zoomed off beside and the breeze from the car made Camille and Ruby to stagger.

"What's wrong with you Theresa? Do you want to die?". Ruby yelled at her and looked at Camille. Her face was swollen red and she looked tired and weak.

"Thank you Ruby" Camille said. She would have been knocked down just a while ago hadn't Ruby pulled her away from the middle of the road.

Maybe it would have been better if she truly died. She would join with her parents and her misery would be over. She should have died rather than Ruby pulling her.

She heard murmurings from the laser. Some insulting her and others pitying her as they shook their heads and walked away.

Some threw words of caution to her while others simply hissed and went away. Ruby held her hand and took her to the side.

"Where are you going Theresa Mo?" Rosa asked. Last that she heard, Colton had a quiet wedding with a certain dude a few months ago.

Why is she looking so miserable? Where is her husband and sister? She has a little sister Diana if she can remember correctly.

"I don't know," Camille answered. She doesn't have a home, she has nowhere to go. Perhaps she can find a comfortable place in a corner of the street to pass the night.

"What do you mean you don't know? Where's your home address". Ruby asked. She's married and definitely has a home with her husband. She equally has a home in Christopher's mansion.

"I have no home anywhere Ruby. I am a wanderer. Maybe you should have left me a while ago to get crushed by that car rather than saying me". Camille said with teary eyes.

Ruby understood. Her marriage was definitely having issues and she can't possibly return to Christopher's mansion. She didn't say anything again nor ask her further questions.

She hailed a taxi and pushed Camille inside and she joined her inside the car. She gave the driver her address and he drove her home.

Ruby lived with her mother and brother in their little house. Little because it is nothing compared with where she lived and grew up.

Ruby's mother saw her daughter return home with her friend many years ago. She welcomed them both. But seeing. Camille's sad countenance, she didn't ask any more questions.

Ruby's mother and brother took Camille in and entertained her. She ate and took her bath. Ruby's mother said she could occupy the guest room for as long as she stays in their house.

Camille couldn't imagine she could receive such good hospitality from an old friend. She sobbed more. An old friend has become her family and her family has become old friends to her. What an irony.

Two days passed and Camille was getting to smile slightly with Rosa's brother's little jokes. None have asked Camille what happened to her a few days ago until four days later and she was a little cheerful and talked freely with them.

She was still reserved but a little free with the present family. Ruby's mother that evening called Camille and Ruby and daughter and asked them what happened?