Chapter 156: Chapter 156

“She… I found her in a psychiatric hospital,” Camille said quietly. “As I expected, she didn’t recognize me. But I felt better having met her in person. I told her who I was, but she was still stuck in the past.

“Sometimes she believed me, and we spent a quiet day together. Most of the time, though, she thought I was just a nurse or an aide. But I didn’t really care. She was alive, and sometimes she would talk about my biological father. She told me stories with a hazy look in her eyes, and I felt like I could imagine what their lives were like.”

Luther lowered his head guiltily, while Emilia shut her eyes.

“It was… enlightening, to say the least,” Camille continued. “A kind nurse took me in when I came to the city with nothing. Not legally, since I was eighteen by then, but she gave me a place to stay. She was like a guardian to me. I worked part-time jobs to make ends meet.”

Her family listened intently, their expressions a mixture of sadness and understanding.

“I learned a lot during those years,” Camille went on. “About myself and about my past. But then, after I got involved with the Callahan family, I thought about it for a long time. I realized it too late, but the truth is, the happiest memories I have are with all of you, my adoptive family. Even with everything that happened in the past, you took such good care of me, and I realize now how much I missed you all.”

Emilia reached out and took Camille’s hand in hers. “We are so sorry for everything, Hailey,” she whispered. “For the misunderstandings and all the pain we caused. I know this may sound presumptuous of me, but can you ever forgive us?”

Luther seemed to realize something. “Oh, but your name… you go by Camille Parker now, right?”

Emilia blinked rapidly. “Ah, yes. I am so sorry. I got so used to Hailey…”

Paul and Benjamin gave their sister an encouraging look and remained silent the entire time, letting their parents share this emotional moment of reunion with their long-lost daughter.

Tears filled Camille’s eyes again, but this time they were tears of relief. “I’ve already forgiven you, Mom, Dad. And you know what? I’m ready to embrace the name Hailey again. It’s who I am, and it’s a part of me that I can’t deny.”

Luther and Emilia looked shocked at first, but then Luther’s eyes filled with tears of pride.

“We are so proud of you, Hailey,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Of your strength and resilience. Welcome home.”

Paul and Benjamin nodded in agreement.

“We’ll make up for lost time,” Benjamin said with a beaming smile. “We promise.”

Camille smiled through tears. “Thank you, all of you. I love you so much.”

They spent the rest of the day talking, sharing stories and memories. Camille told them everything, finally getting it all off her chest. She told them about her struggles, her successes, and the journey she had been on.

Finally, she felt a sense of peace in her heart.

***

But things were not over just yet.

In fact, they were far from over.

With the chaos came a powerful whirlwind that would take a long time to subside.

In the days following the dramatic exposure of Christian and Gregory Callahan’s crimes, the media frenzy was relentless. Journalists and reporters swarmed every possible angle of the story, trying to uncover more about Hailey van Gowen, the woman who had emerged from the shadows with such explosive revelations.

Among those captivated by the news were former high school friends and classmates of both Hailey and Michael.

Many remembered her as Hailey van Gowen, the strict student body president with charismatic intelligence and a dignified aura. They quickly recognized her from the news, and everything just blew up.

On social media, old photos and stories about Hailey van Gowen and Michael McGregor spread around quickly. People also talked about Michael’s rebellious past and brought up his old leg injury, which still bothered him but had improved due to modern medical breakthroughs.

The media, always hungry for sensationalism, spread gossip like wildfire. They pounced on the topic of Hailey and Michael’s close bond in high school.

Headlines speculated about a high school romance rekindled years later, as well as a love triangle involving Hailey, Michael, and Christian.

Social media users ate it up and loved every bit of it.

News reports also featured interviews with former classmates who attested to Hailey and Michael’s close friendship, describing how they were often seen together, even hanging out during free periods, usually alone on the school’s rooftop.

“Hailey was always the uptight one, all about discipline and all that,” one former classmate said on camera. “And Michael was like the delinquent she tamed. I guess they kind of balanced each other out.”

“They were inseparable,” added another. “If you ask me, it’s no surprise they found their way back to each other.”

“I am surprised, though, that Hailey got herself into this kind of controversy,” the first classmate chimed in again. “She’s always been so disciplined, you know? And she looks so different now!”

These interviews went viral, casting a shadow over Camille’s brave revelations and reducing her story to meaningless gossip.

At this point, Camille knew she had to address the media directly to set the record straight.

“Are you sure about this?” Michael asked her on the other end of the line. He sounded worried, which was understandable.

She had called him first, concerned about all the gossip circulating online and offline. She was also worried that he might receive negative attention because of it.

Honestly, some of the rumors were downright ridiculous, going far beyond the facts. There was even speculation that she had manipulated Michael when they were young, using his leg injury as leverage for her own benefit.

Others even theorized that they had planned to elope after graduation and live in another country, which was utterly absurd.

“I’m sure,” Camille told him. “This way, things will be clear. It’s the best option.”