Chapter 146: Chapter 146

He shook his head. “I know. I believe you, Camille.”

She looked at him, pained. “How do you know?”

A wave of irrationality suddenly washed over her.

She didn’t know where it came from. Maybe it was just the need to get angry at someone — anyone — and vent all her feelings.

It wasn’t fair to Michael. It was so unfair on his part, but she couldn’t stop herself.

“How could you know?” she demanded angrily. “And why do you still trust me? How can you take my words so easily? Yes, I’m telling the truth, but I’m just confused why you’re—”

“I trust you because I know you’re a good person,” Michael interjected calmly, taking in all her anger with patience. “I knew you years ago, and I know you now. I know there are things you don’t want to tell me. I’ve known that for a long time. I could see the pain in your eyes and the restraint when you were with me, but I couldn’t force you. Even now, I can’t force you. All I can do is encourage you.”

Camille felt her eyes burn, but she tried her best not to cry.

Despite the danger and the overwhelming urge to just let go, she had held it all in for so long. The weight of her secrets and fears threatened to crush her, bringing her down to the depths of guilt and regret.

She didn’t know what to do.

“…I’m sorry,” she repeated. “I’m really sorry.”

He shook his head. “Don’t apologize. You saved my life, you know. If you hadn’t told me about the culprit, I’d probably be in jail right now, facing public criticism. Thanks to your anonymous tip, I’ve been able to return to my life as normally as possible. Well, not completely normal, since Grady is still under investigation, but…” His voice trailed off.

His eyes darkened when he mentioned his former assistant’s name. He had really trusted Grady back then, and he couldn’t believe that the man would betray him and Joanna like that. It was too unlike him.

Michael suspected that Grady had been set up, possibly threatened or blackmailed, but there was no solid proof of that yet. There was also evidence that Grady himself had tampered with Joanna’s car somehow after Hank did.

Michael felt helpless and couldn’t do anything unless he found something substantial in his own private investigation. Fortunately, his brother Will was helping him as well.

“I don’t want to hurt anyone,” she whispered. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me. I’m so sorry, Noah.”

Michael’s brow furrowed slightly. He seemed to be pondering the true meaning of her words, but he decided not to dwell on it deeply for now and instead focused on getting the truth from her first.

“Why is that? You don’t have to worry, Camille. No one is going to get hurt,” he assured her. “I’m right here. I’ll protect you, and I’ll also prevent anything bad from happening to you or your loved ones.”

She shook her head helplessly. “You don’t understand. My father…”

“Your father? What happened to him?” he asked gently.

“He’s abroad, being treated for his illness. He’s in Dr. Colmen’s facility.”

“Dr. Colmen? Ah, I know of him. He and my father were good friends in high school. My father would talk about him from time to time, saying that he was the one who introduced him to his wife. He also mentioned that Dr. Colmen was successful with his experimental therapy.”

Camille’s eyes went wide. “Really?”

Michael nodded. “So your father is currently being treated by him? That’s impressive. I heard that Dr. Colmen only accepts those with considerable wealth and connections. I suppose Mr. van Gowen is also good friends with him because—”

She immediately shook her head. “No, that’s not the case. It’s not…”

“What do you mean? I don’t understand, Camille.”

She took a deep breath. “It was Christian who arranged for him to be treated there. It was all his doing. My father is in grave condition and suffering, so Dr. Colmen’s treatment is the only way for him to get better.”

“Oh.” Michael looked a little downcast. “So it was your husband, I see.”

“He’s not my husband yet.”

Despite himself, he couldn’t help but chuckle. “What difference does it make? He’s your fiancé and you’re about to get married.”

Camille unconsciously bit her bottom lip. She was getting nervous. Talking about Christian always made her nervous, to the point where she became extremely paranoid.

“Yes…”

“I also heard what you said about your relationship with him before I stepped in,” he said gently. “I never knew that the two of you cared that much for each other. I always thought of Christian Callahan as a cold man, distant from everyone and all about his business, but I guess I was wrong. I’m just glad that he treats you well and that you two feel the same way about each other.”

To be honest, Michael had been surprised by Camille’s words earlier. He had suspected that Christian was probably blackmailing Camille, but from her words earlier, it didn’t seem that way at all.

In fact, it seemed that the two of them were very much in love.

Camille wouldn’t say such deep things without a reason. Her expression and tone were also so sincere. He could tell that she really meant it.

So, even though it broke his heart, he decided to step in and defend her.

It was a little odd that Christian didn’t do it himself, but then again, Christian wasn’t the flashy type, and he preferred to strengthen business relationships rather than engage in gossip and ridicule. It just wasn’t in his character.

Meanwhile, Camille’s heart was pounding in her chest. She had suspected that Michael might have overheard, but she still couldn’t believe it.

She might have shot herself in the foot. How was she going to explain herself now? How could she convince Michael that no, she had no feelings for Christian and that it was all a lie?

But it wasn’t really a lie because she was thinking of Michael when she said it? He might look at her as if she had grown a second head.

Michael must have sensed her growing uncertainty and discomfort because he reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. “Camille,” he said gently, “are you all right?”

“I… I’m fine,” she shut her eyes. “I’m fine.”

How many times had she repeated herself already?

“I don’t think you are,” he sighed quietly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know about your father. You must have suffered so much then. I should have been there for you, too.”

She opened her eyes and looked at him in shock. “What are you talking about? You’ve helped me more than enough. And I didn’t get to tell you because… I missed the timing, and I was busy with so many things and…”

He patted her shoulder. “Don’t apologize to me. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Her eyes burned, and she felt a tear fall.

She felt like she couldn’t hold on much longer. Michael was so kind to her that she began to feel even more guilty than before.

Michael saw this, but he didn’t say anything, just wiped her tear with his finger.

It was then, in that moment, that Camille decided enough was enough.

She couldn’t go on like this any longer. The thought of betraying Michael and putting him and his family in danger again weighed heavily on her conscience. It just wasn’t right.

She knew that her parents, even her biological ones, would disapprove if they ever found out.

Although she kept telling herself that she was only protecting her loved ones, deep down she realized that she was only causing them pain.

It was time to stop taking all the burden alone and ask other people for help.