Cammy found herself at a loss for words in response to Ric’s statent, knowing deep down that he was right in so way. If it were entirely her decision, she would choose Ric—his gentle nature was exactly what she sought in a partner.
But the heart has its own desires, unpredictable and untily, and she couldn’t simply override it.
The tension between them was broken by the ringing of Cammy’s phone. "I’m sorry, I have to take this. It’s Dylan’s horoom teacher," she said, stepping away to answer the call.
After a brief conversation, she returned to Ric. "Ric, can we pick this up later? The teacher needs Dylan and for so photos. I have to go."
Cammy didn’t wait for Ric’s response and turned to head back to the dormitory.
The photo session took longer than expected, and by the ti it wrapped up, it was already ti for the students’ friendly football match against another school.
Dylan was thrilled—it was his first football ga. Although Cammy had her reservations due to his asthma, the school physician had cleared him to participate, reassuring her that he would be fine.
Cammy chose a seat behind the players’ bench, joining other parents from Dylan’s class. It was the perfect spot to stay out of sight and minimize the chances of being recognized.
Though Cammy couldn’t shake the worry that sothing might go wrong during the ga, she couldn’t deny her pride. Dylan’s radiant smile and pure joy were infectious, and it was clear that he was truly in his happiest ti.
Cammy found herself swept up in the excitent, cheering alongside the other parents. A deep sense of fulfillnt washed over her, reassuring her that she and Dylan were moving in the right direction in their life.
The coach, mindful of Dylan’s condition and following the doctor’s guidance, carefully managed his ti on the field. Dylan played only in the first half and was called to the bench during the break to rest.
"Mommy! Did you see how I kicked the ball?" Dylan exclaid excitedly, running up to Cammy with a beaming smile.
"Of course, I did!" she replied, her own smile widening. "My eyes were on you the whole ti. You were amazing, and you made so proud."
Her heartfelt praise was all Dylan needed to make his day even better. Being allowed to play had already filled him with joy, but hearing his mom’s encouraging words boosted his confidence and motivation even further.
"Mommy, I’m hungry. Can we eat now?" Dylan asked casually, his tone shifting to one of innocent need, which made Cammy chuckle.
"You can’t leave just yet; the ga isn’t over," she explained gently. "But how about I grab so food and bring it back here for you? Can you wait for ?"
"Yes, Mommy. I want so chicken and bread," Dylan said eagerly, his eyes bright with anticipation. "I’ll watch my classmates while I wait for you. I’ll cheer for them too!"
Cammy smiled and tousled his hair affectionately before heading off. She had hoped to catch up with Ellie while grabbing the food, but as she scanned the area, she noticed Ellie deep in conversation with a group of people asking questions about the resort.
Her gaze shifted, landing on Ric, who was also preoccupied, talking animatedly with a few people Cammy recognized as event sponsors.
’I guess no casual chitchat for while I grab food,’ she mused to herself, turning her focus to the buffet table.
The table was lined with an array of dishes, but the line to get food was long. After surveying the options, Cammy quickly joined the queue like everyone else. She was pleased to see a variety of chicken wing flavors available—Dylan’s favorite.
When her turn ca, she approached the server with a friendly smile. "Do you have honey lemon and BBQ flavors?"
The server nodded and promptly placed the requested wings on a plate. Just as he handed it to her, a firm grip caught her left arm, startling her.
Cammy turned quickly, her breath hitching as she ca face-to-face with the person who had grabbed her.
"Cammy? Am I dreaming? Is it really you?" the man asked, his voice a mixture of disbelief and amazent.
Cammy froze, her jaw dropping as if she had forgotten how to breathe. Her lips lost their color, and for a mont, it felt as though her soul had been ripped from her body. The world spun around her, and she staggered backward, her legs unable to hold her steady.
Before she could collapse, the man reached out and caught her arms, steadying her with a firm but gentle grip.
"W-What a-are y-you d-doing h-here?" Cammy stamred, her voice trembling and unsteady. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over almost instantly as she struggled to process what was happening.
"I recently beca a sponsor for this school," the man replied, his voice thick with emotion. His eyes scanned her face, his expression a mix of shock and elation. "Oh my God, it really is you! You’re alive! My God!"
Before Cammy could react, he pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms wrapping around her as if he were afraid she might disappear. The hug was full of raw, overwhelming emotion, and his body trembled slightly against hers.
"I can’t believe this!" he exclaid, his voice a mixture of laughter and sobs. "You have no idea how happy I am right now, seeing you here, alive, in front of ."
Cammy stood frozen in his embrace, her mind racing. mories she had buried deep resurfaced with a vengeance, and the tidal wave of emotions threatened to drown her.
Cammy felt completely opposite to the man’s overwhelming joy. Her body was stiff as stone, and her tears threatened to spill at any mont. Her heart raced, and a deep sense of dread crept over her, paralyzing her further.
"Back off!" a sharp, familiar voice cut through the chaos. Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, the man was forcefully pulled away from her.
"Keep your hands off her!" Ric’s voice was firm, laced with anger and protectiveness.
"R-Ric..." Cammy stamred, her voice barely audible, trembling with a mix of relief and panic. Her tear-filled eyes pleaded with him for support, her vulnerability on full display.
Ric glanced at her briefly, his expression softening for a fraction of a second before hardening again. He stepped forward, positioning himself between her and the man like a shield.
"And who the hell are you?" the man demanded angrily, his tone sharp and defensive. "Mind your own business and step aside!"
Ric didn’t flinch. His voice was low but filled with authority. "Don’t make a scene. The lady is clearly afraid of you. Leave now, or I’ll call the police."
The man’s expression twisted with fury. "Shut up! Didn’t you hear what I said? Mind your business. That woman is my wife!"
Cammy’s already frozen body seed to lock further in place, the word wife striking her like a physical blow. It echoed in her mind, louder and louder as if the world around her had gone silent. Her breath caught in her throat, her chest tightening painfully.
Her vision blurred as tears spilled freely down her cheeks. She felt as though her heart had stopped, her lungs refusing to draw in air. The ground beneath her seed to disappear, leaving her in a state of free fall. Her world began to collapse, everything spinning out of focus, the weight of that single word crushing her.
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