Cammy and Dylan were greeted with open arms by the warmth of Eve’s and Mrs. Moore’s embrace lting away the weight of their long journey as they stepped into their temporary apartnt.
"I’m so happy you’re back," Eve exclaid, her voice obvious with relief. "I’ve been feeling a little lonely here. This place is enormous, and the neighbors might as well be ghosts with how much they keep to themselves."
"Welco ho, dear," Mrs. Moore added, her kind eyes filled with affection.
Cammy forced a smile but couldn’t shake the worry gnawing at her heart. "It’s good to be back... but I’m really concerned about Dylan," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mrs. Moore’s expression softened with understanding. "Don’t be," she reassured her. "My cooking classes at Ric’s restaurant are finished, and my managent class is all online now. If you’d like, I can stay in your apartnt so Dylan and his nanny won’t be alone." She smiled warmly, her offer filled with sincerity.
Cammy’s breath hitched, and a rush of gratitude brought unshed tears to her eyes. "Really, Mrs. Moore? You’d do that? Are you sure it wouldn’t be too much?"
"Of course, dear. I’d be happy to. My husband is starting his mastery class at Ric’s restaurant, so I’ll be alone at ho. Frankly, I’d rather not sit in an empty house all day. But if you let stay with Dylan, I won’t be lonely—and neither will he," Mrs. Moore explained gently.
Cammy clasped Mrs. Moore’s hands, her heart swelling with appreciation. "Yes, please! You’re always welco in my apartnt. And now, let’s eat. Greg’s butler packed so heavenly desserts for us!" She led them to the kitchen, the weight on her chest feeling just a little lighter.
As Cammy carefully unpacked the food containers, she glanced up at Mrs. Moore with curiosity. "What’s the latest on your building?" she asked, eager for an update.
Mrs. Moore’s eyes lit up. "Oh! I’m so glad you reminded —I nearly forgot! The architect said it will be finished in just a week. They’re painting the exterior and interior now, and after a final round of polishing, we’ll be able to move back in."
"Have you seen it yet?" Eve chid in, her curiosity was awakened.
Mrs. Moore’s face broke into a proud, almost giddy smile. "Yes! And let tell you, you wouldn’t even recognize it!" she gushed. "The restaurant on the ground floor looks so much bigger! Ric designed it in a way that makes the space feel open and welcoming while allowing us to accommodate more custors. It’s absolutely brilliant."
She took a breath, excitent bubbling in her voice. "And guess what? We managed to add two additional apartnts on the second and third floors without sacrificing the original space! The remodel was so cleverly done that it still feels just as spacious as before, but now with two extra units."
Cammy grinned. "That’s incredible! That’s extra inco for you and Mr. Moore—congratulations!"
"And what about the rooftop? Cammy’s apartnt?" Eve asked eagerly.
Mrs. Moore’s expression turned almost mischievous. "Oh, you’re going to love this. There’s still just one apartnt on the rooftop, but we added sothing special—a greenhouse. Actually, every floor now has a built-in planter box for herbs and vegetables. The architect said the sunlight exposure is perfect for growing fresh produce, which ans the restaurant will have its own hogrown ingredients."
Eve gasped in delight. "That’s amazing! I can’t wait to see it and finally go back to our ho sweet ho!" Overco with excitent, she threw her arms around Cammy in a playful hug, making both won burst into laughter.
After indulging in the decadent desserts Cammy had brought from Greg’s mansion, Mrs. Moore bid them goodnight and headed ho, leaving only Eve and Cammy in the quiet kitchen. The soft hum of laughter and playful chatter drifted from Dylan’s room, where their children were lost in their own little world.
Cammy glanced toward Dylan’s door and smiled. "You should stay here for the night. I don’t think those two would be too happy if we separated them now," she said, referring to Cassey and Dylan.
Eve chuckled, nodding in agreent. "You’re right. They’d probably protest all night. Sure, I’d love to stay."
A sudden sparkle lit up her eyes as she changed the topic. "Oh, by the way! Chiqui made her plus one for the gala night."
Cammy’s face brightened. "Ooh! That’s fantastic! Finally, I’ll have soone to talk to. You know how it goes—Chiqui, Greg, and Ethan will be surrounded by all the high-profile guests, and I’ll be left sipping champagne in the corner."
Eve grinned. "That’s exactly what Chiqui said! That’s why she asked to go—so we could keep each other company." But then, her excitent wavered. "The only problem is... I have nothing to wear."
Cammy waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, that’s no problem at all. I don’t have a dress either! But Chiqui and I are going shopping tomorrow after work. You should co with us."
"Count in!" Eve said, her eyes twinkling with excitent.
A brief silence settled between them before Cammy’s voice softened. "By the way, Eve... I heard from Ethan about what happened between you and Harry." She hesitated for a mont, carefully choosing her words. "I don’t want to pry, but... Harry’s not okay."
Eve’s body tensed. Her expression hardened. "Not okay? He was furious! He insulted in front of Ethan and Chiqui—and completely humiliated . I know I was at fault, but that didn’t give him the right to degrade in front of our colleagues," she said bitterly.
Cammy sighed, leaning forward. "I get it. But Eve... he’s spiraling. He’s hurting. He wasted a ridiculous amount of money yesterday—enough to buy a car—then drowned himself in alcohol from the mont you left the restaurant until almost nine at night. If Ethan hadn’t stepped in, Harry might have made so very costly mistakes. Greg had to let him stay at the mansion just to make sure he wouldn’t do sothing reckless again."
Eve folded her arms, her voice colder than before. "He’s an adult. He’s responsible for his actions."
Cammy held her gaze. "Of course. But put yourself in his shoes for just a second. He knows Cassey is his daughter. Imagine losing her. Imagine losing you." She let the words sink in before continuing, her voice barely above a whisper. "Harry still loves you, Eve. After all these years... Greg told he never dated anyone. Not once. His heart still belongs to you."
Eve’s breath hitched, her eyes darkening with an emotion she had fought so hard to suppress. She didn’t need to imagine what Harry was feeling—because she already knew. It was the sa hollow, agonizing pain clawing at her own heart.
If not the sa pain, maybe even more...
*********
Thank you for the gift Daoist8Jzm6B!
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