Chapter 4

• You know what they say about secrets—they always find a way to the surface
• Alex had managed to gather the energy to get out of there, he rushed into his car and ignited the engine. He needed to be away from here, as far away as possible because if he did what was ringing in his head right now, he would end up in jail.
• Bolting out of the compound, his hands trembled against the steering. The scene from minutes ago replayed in his head; all he wanted to do right now was go there and bash Fiona’s head against the wall, he was never one to resort to violence but he couldn’t help the rage he felt right now.
• It all started to make sense, how could he not see it the whole time? Nathan had come back to town just three days before Fiona returned, but what if they were together in L.A the whole time? The three of them had known each other for as long as he could remember, yet he was blind to what was before him.
• Fiona and Nathan weren’t just friends like he had believed in all these years, they had been lovers all along, keeping their atrocities hidden behind curtains while taking advantage of him.
• His parents were right, Fiona has never loved him, she was only with him because he was successful. How could he not have known that his so-called best friend has been piping his fiancée behind his back?
• Alex had never felt that much pain in his life, what hurt most was knowing that he hurt Camille for the sake of his love with this lady.
• His whole life, Alex had done whatever he was asked to do, everyone’s happiness came first. He never wanted to study business administration but he did it because his father wanted it. Alex never wanted to study outside of the country but he did it because his mother liked the idea, he never wanted to marry Camille but he did it because it was his parent’s wish.
• And the one time he decided to make decisions for himself, he had ended up shooting himself in the leg.
• How would he face his mother now? And Camille, would she ever forgive him for what he had done to her? He didn’t even have an idea where to find her.
• Tears were threatening to spill but Alex fought them back, sniffling. His heart ached like he had been stabbed in the middle a couple times.
• He immediately pulled the car to a stop at the side of the road, he was not thinking straight or seeing clearly as his eyes grew foggy from tears. He knew he couldn’t afford losing his life as well.
• “Bitch!” he screamed into the universe.
• That was what she was, a cheat and a bitch, playing with his feelings the whole time. She knew how much he obsessed over her and she used it to her advantage. He had played a good part in sponsoring her education, it was all done in good faith as he hoped to convince her to marry him.
• He had never wronged her. Yes he had sex with Camille while they were together but it was only an accident the first time and out of duty the second time, but even at that, he had kept reminding himself that it wasn’t Camille he loved, but Fiona.
• Alex had judged himself for those times he slept with Camille, he thought divorcing her and getting together with Fiona would make things right, but just weeks to their wedding, he finds his best friend having sex with his supposed lover.
• Alex wiped his tears and placed his hand on the steering. There was no need crying over spilled milk, he knew what he had to do, what he needed to do.
• “I will beg her, it is not too late to make things right.” He said to himself.
• He quickly turned the car around and headed to the heart of the town. That was where Camille’s father lived before his death, so Alex knew it was the only place she would have gone to.
• He would fall on his knees and beg her if it was what it required to make things right. Camille had been the perfect wife, she had cared for him, she had tried to be perfect, he was the one who refused to see it because he was obsessed over another woman.
• The divorce papers might have been signed but it still needed the court stamp to be valid, so he immediately called his lawyers and asked them to put it on hold. He was not going to get divorced today, rather he will make it right, for his mother, his father, his wife and himself.
• He had learnt his lesson. Always go for the woman that loves you and not the woman you love, because love blinds you from the truth.
• Alex arrived at the duplex where Mr. Stanton lived and rushed to the door. He knocked loudly, a look of impatience etched on his face.
• “Camille, please open up, I know you are in there.” He begged.
• He knocked again and again but there was no response. The house was as quiet as a graveyard but Alex knew there was no other place Camille could have gone, this was all she had in this city, she couldn’t possibly afford a hotel nor did she have a friend she could crash with, at least none that he knew of.
• “Please Camille, I am sorry, just give me another chance and I will not mess it up ever again. I promise I will learn to love and appreciate you, I will never take your love for granted again, give me another chance, Camille.” He begged with tears rolling down his eyes.
• Alex rushed to the back but noticed all the doors and windows were locked. Maybe Camille had stepped out that afternoon, maybe she had gone to the market or something.
• Alex rushed to the neighbor’s place and knocked on her door. The middle aged woman came out shortly after.
• “Hey, Mr. Steel, nice to meet you again.” She smiled.
• “You too Margaret,” he greeted with familiarity. The lady had helped a lot during Mr. Stanton’s burial.
• “Please have you seen Camille, I tried knocking on the door but there was no response.” Alex asked.
• The woman stared at him with furrowed eyebrows. “Camille? You didn’t know?” she queried.
• Now Alexandra Steel was confused. “Didn’t know what?” he muttered.
• “Camille left.” The woman blurted.
• “I know, I can see that, but did she say where she was going and when she is coming back?”
• “She is not, Mr. Steel. She sold the house and left for good, she said she didn’t have any life left here so she found a quick buyer and travelled out of the country.” The lady explained.
• The lady’s words shattered Alexandra’s very existence. “She is gone?” he muttered, and yet he had thought he couldn’t be more shocked today.
• Camille was gone! His wife was gone!
• TBC!!