Chapter 1 CAMILLA

Chapter 1

Camilla Moretti;

"Sign the goddamn papers, Camilla."

The words hit me like a slap. Nikolai stood across from me, his expression colder than the winter air seeping through the open window.

"What?" My voice trembled as I clutched the chair for support. "Nik, it's late. We need to leave for your mom's birthday." I forced a smile, desperate for normalcy, even as my hands shook.

He didn't blink. "I won't repeat myself. Sign the papers." A lump rose in my throat. "Why? What did I do?" My voice cracked. "I've done nothing wrong."

"That's the problem," he said flatly. "You've done nothing, Camilla. And I'm done. I want you out by tomorrow. "Each word was a dagger. "You're... leaving me?" My knees buckled, but I clung to the chair, refusing to fall. "After everything-"

"Enough." His tone was sharp, final. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be."I searched his face for any sign of the man I loved, but he was gone. The man standing before me was a stranger, and his indifference stung more than his words.

"Nik, please..." The plea slipped from my lips before I could stop it.

He turned, walking away without another word, leaving me standing in the ruins of our marriage.

The buzz of my phone startled me. I wiped my tears and glanced at the screen-Mother-in-law. The name alone made my stomach twist.

I answered quickly, forcing my voice to steady.

"Hello, Mother. I saw your missed call."

Her sharp voice sliced through the line. "Where's Nikolai? Where the hell are you two? Why aren't you here yet?" I clenched the phone tightly, her impatience grating against my already fragile nerves. She didn't care how I was or even bothered to ask. All she wanted was Nikolai-like always.

"Ma, the thing is-"

"Enough of your excuses, Camilla! Be here in the next few minutes!" she snapped, cutting me off before I could explain. The line went dead before I even had a chance to breathe.

I lowered the phone, staring blankly at the screen. Her voice still echoed in my mind, sharp and impatient, as if I were nothing but a nuisance. My chest tightened, and I released a shaky sigh.

God... what on earth have I done to deserve this?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. The memories rushed in, uninvited. It wasn't the first time Nikolai's mother treated me this way. Her disdain had been clear from the moment I entered their lives.

"You'll never be good enough for my son," she had said to me on the day Nikolai brought me home to meet her. Her words had been like a dagger to the heart, but Nikolai's arm around my waist had given me a sliver of hope. It'll get better, I had told myself back then. She just needs time to know me. But she never did. Every family dinner, every gathering, every interaction-it was always the same. Her icy stares, her passive-aggressive remarks, her constant reminders that I didn't belong. And now, here I was, forced to endure yet another gathering after being blindsided by divorce papers.

I shook my head, trying to dispel the bitter memories. There was no time to dwell. If I didn't show up, she'd find another way to punish me. I had no choice but to face her. And maybe, just maybe, I'd get a chance to confront Nikolai about everything. Dragging myself to the bathroom, I stepped under the shower, the hot water cascading over me. My tears fell freely, mingling with the water, but I didn't bother wiping them away. The weight of Nikolai's coldness, the divorce papers, and his mother's never-ending disdain pressed down on me.

After what felt like an eternity, I forced myself to get ready. I chose a simple dress and dabbed on the barest hint of makeup, hoping it would conceal the puffiness around my eyes.

As I looked in the mirror, my reflection mocked me. My once-bright eyes now looked dull, lifeless. My lips trembled as I whispered, "Pathetic."

I bit back the sob that threatened to escape and swiped at the corners of my eyes. No more tears. Not now. Not when I have to face her.

I sat down for a moment, gripping the edge of the vanity as another memory clawed its way to the surface. I forced myself to stand. Straightening my shoulders, I took a deep, steadying breath. "You can do this, Camilla. One night. Just get through it."

Grabbing my bag, I headed for the door. The night ahead would be filled with fake smiles, bitter memories, and buried pain-but maybe, just maybe, I'd find the answers I needed.

The drive felt like an eternity. Forty minutes of endless thoughts swirling in my mind, each one darker than the last. By the time I pulled up to the sprawling estate, my heart was racing, a steady drumbeat of anxiety echoing in my chest.

The security guards recognized me and waved me in, their polite smiles doing little to ease my nerves. The house was stunning, draped in extravagant decorations for his mother's birthday. The chandelier in the grand hall bathed everything in a warm, golden glow, but I felt none of its warmth.

As soon as I stepped inside, her voice rang out, sharp and demanding. "Camilla! Where's Nikolai?"

I turned to face my mother-in-law, her piercing gaze already locked on me. Her presence was as commanding as ever, and it had only taken her seconds to single me out.

I forced a polite smile. "Ma, he's still at the office, handling some business. He won't be able to make it tonight."

Her eyes narrowed, lips pursing in obvious disapproval. "And you decided to come alone?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but she waved me off, turning to greet her circle of friends. Her dismissal stung, but it wasn't unexpected. A waiter approached, holding a tray of champagne. I reached for a glass, hoping it would steady my nerves, but my mother-in-law's voice cut through the air.

"Don't give her one," she said sharply. The waiter froze, looking at me apologetically.

Her attention turned back to me, her expression cold. "Maybe you should eat less instead. You'll need room to carry a grandchild for me."

My cheeks burned with humiliation, but I kept my composure. Not here. Don't let her see you break.

"When are you going to give me a child, Camilla?" she pressed, her tone dripping with disdain. "You've been married long enough. Or is there... a problem?"

"Ma, I-"

I tried to find the words, but my voice faltered. The weight of her judgment pressed down on me, and just as I was about to gather myself, a voice rang out from behind.

"Mom, I'm here."

The room went still. Every head turned toward the entrance, mine included. And there he was. Nikolai.

For a moment, my heart lifted-until I saw her.

A slender, elegant woman stood beside him, her hand resting possessively on his arm. Nikolai's hand was wrapped around her wrist in a way that spoke of intimacy. They entered as a pair, their presence commanding the room as if the world revolved around them. My breath caught as they walked closer, their steps in sync. The woman's eyes flickered toward me, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips.

"Camilla," Nikolai said casually, his voice carrying no warmth, no acknowledgment of the chaos he'd left in his wake. "You're here."

And then, as if to twist the knife deeper, he added, "Meet Alessia-my fiancée." My world tilted, the air knocked from my lungs. Fiancée?