Chapter 3
Camila gracefully linked arms with Isla, and only then did Isla's expression soften a bit.
"Guess what? I brought your favorite blueberry pie."
In the lounge, Isla was quite pleased with Camila's humble demeanor and took the pastry with a relaxed hand.
"You always know how to play it right," she said, taking a small bite and speaking with her mouth full. "Don't waste your time with those women. They're just gold diggers looking to marry rich."
As if remembering something, she glanced at Camila from the corner of her eye. "Men, you know, they all mess up when they're young. Once he realizes who he can really build a life with, he'll come back."
Camila smiled softly, placing another piece of blueberry pie on Isla's plate. "Don't worry, Isla, I'm not upset."
"If I want to be a good wife to Albert, I need to have this kind of awareness. As long as things don't get out of hand, I'll just pretend I don't see them."
Her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she spoke, her deep-set features showing no aggression, but rather a gentle, endearing submissiveness.
Isla, feeling reassured, held Camila's hand. "I knew you were sensible. Mary, bring the box I prepared."
The main diamond was blood-red, surrounded by twenty-eight pear-shaped white diamonds, each meticulously selected and flawless, easily worth seven figures.
"Isla, this is too valuable, I can't..."
She pretended to refuse, but her fingers had already touched the cool diamonds, understanding the situation perfectly.
Balancing appeasement and pressure, the Garcia family's gifts were not as easy to accept as they seemed.
Isla insisted, personally fastening the necklace around Camila's neck. "You're a new member of our family, you deserve any necklace."
"When you two get married, I have more gifts for you. Hurry up and set a date, I'm waiting to hold your children."
Camila's face lit up with the perfect amount of joy, obediently agreeing.
They chatted a bit more until it was time for lunch, and Camila quietly left the lounge.
At the end of the hallway stood Emily, her yellow and white dress clinging to her slightly rounded belly, the hem swaying gently in the breeze.
The moment she saw Camila, the hatred in her seemingly innocent eyes almost overflowed.
Camila adjusted her long hair over her shoulder, her expression remaining unchanged.
It seemed the show was finally about to begin.
"I've seen you in Albert's phone before. I didn't expect someone who looks so dazzling on stage to be so ordinary in private."
Camila found it amusing. Did this woman really think such petty provocations would anger her?
"Ms. Allen, you're joking. When working, I have to wear ten-pound skirts and three-pound headpieces," Camila said, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, revealing her slender neck. "In private, it's naturally more relaxed."
Her gaze fell on Emily's face, suddenly brightening. "But Ms. Allen, I've never seen you before."
"I only know you were the school beauty and said you'd only return home after holding a solo concert at the Aurora Lyra Music Academy."
"Surely you've achieved your dream by now."
Emily's face turned red. Back at the Aurora Lyra Music Academy, she had skipped classes for three months straight and got into a bar fight, making even her mentor give up on her.
When she returned home, dragging her suitcase, her family kicked her out. If it weren't for clinging to Albert from their past, she might be homeless now.
"What... what do you mean?"
Emily clutched her belly, dropping her facade completely. "I'm pregnant with Albert's child."
"Do you think he'd let his child be a bastard?"
"You're an orphan, with no parents. Sooner or later, the Garcia family will kick you out."
Camila's gaze swept over her belly, as if looking at an insignificant object. "Get rid of the child."
Emily was stunned, not expecting her to be so blunt.
"What did you say?"
Her hands subtly slipped into her pockets, a small movement that didn't escape Camila's notice.
Camila remained calm. "Get rid of the child."
Upon hearing this, Emily immediately clutched her belly and started crying.
"Camila, please, don't make me abort the baby. I never wanted to compete with you. Just let my child live, okay?"
She cried pitifully, as if her previous arrogance had never existed. Camila found it laughable; a foolish person couldn't even frame someone properly.
Camila took a step forward, her expression soft enough to squeeze water from. "Dear, you misunderstood. I would never make you abort the baby."
"I mean you could humble yourself before Isla, say you're willing to abort the baby and leave."
"I'll arrange for you to be sent somewhere safe. After you give birth, and Albert and I are married, we'll say the child is mine. The child won't be a bastard."
With that, all the countermeasures Emily had thought of were rendered useless.
"You're pretending to be a good person."
Camila wasn't angry at all. Seeing a figure approaching in the distance, she didn't hesitate to give Emily a hug. "Albert's child is my child. He likes you, so I'm willing to love you too."
"Give me a chance, okay? I won't hurt you."
Emily, infuriated, pushed Camila away, unable to speak. "Bitch, stop pretending."
A pregnant woman's strength wasn't much, but Camila acted as if she had been pushed hard, her body falling back and hitting the metal railing in the hallway with a loud thud.
She groaned, her face instantly turning as white as paper, cold sweat dripping down her forehead, even her lips losing color.
"What happened?"
She had guessed right; it was Albert.
Seeing him, Emily clung to him like a lifeline. "Albert, Camila told me to abort our baby."
"Please don't make me do it. This child is my only family. I have no parents, no home."
Albert's gaze swept past Emily, landing on Camila's pale face.
He pushed Emily aside and strode over to Camila, helping her up. Her hands were as cold as ice.
"Where does it hurt?" His voice carried an unrecognized panic.
Camila's face flushed, her lips tightly pressed together, showing a hint of a sorrowful smile. "I'm fine."
Albert looked at Emily. "Apologize."
"You believe her?" Emily couldn't believe it, pulling a recording pen from her pocket and throwing it on the ground. "I recorded her telling me to abort the baby! Listen for yourself!"
The pen rolled on the ground, and Albert picked it up, hearing Camila's words, "Get rid of the child."
"It's not over, keep listening."
Then came Camila's gentle explanation, word by word, clear as day.
Her eyes reddened, and Camila said to Albert, "That house was bought with the money I saved from modeling over the past few years. I really want to resolve this properly."
Her voice grew smaller, filled with humility and despair. "I was being foolish."
After speaking, Camila tried to break free from Albert's embrace, but he held her wrist tightly.
Albert hesitated, his fingers trembling. "I'm sorry, Camila, I misunderstood you."
Camila leaned against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, a barely noticeable smile forming on her lips.