Chapter 157: Chapter 157

“I see. If you’re planning on doing that, then I’ll support you,” Michael said without hesitation. His tone was low and warm, conveying his sincerity despite it being a phone call.

It was times like this that he could truly give her the comfort and honesty she needed.

Camille paused for a moment. “What about you? Are you doing okay?” she asked in concern.

“I am. In fact, you called me just in time,” Michael said, his voice turning lighter, almost as if he sounded happy, like he had good news to share. “Joanna’s rehabilitation period is over.”

Camille almost dropped the phone from shock. “Really?” Delight trickled into her veins at the revelation. This was such great news!

“Yes. The doctors have examined her several times. Thanks to medical advances and improvements in rehabilitation, she can live close to a normal life now. She just needs to attend regular checkups and take her medications,” Michael explained. He sounded genuinely happy to have her back. “Her husband and sons are also overjoyed. Joanna even said that she might invite the entire family over for supper soon. To grow closer after such a traumatic event. I’m… thinking of attending. It’s about time, after all.”

“I… I don’t know what to say. I’m very happy for you, Michael,” Camille said warmly. “This is such great news. Thank you for telling me.”

She knew how difficult it was for him to open up and grow close to his family, especially his father and sister.

But if he was considering bonding together and having dinner in one place, then things were already starting to look up.

“Thank you for helping with Joanna’s case. It couldn’t have been easy for you,” Michael said softly. “I don’t remember telling you this before, so I’m telling you now. Thank you, Hailey.”

Camille felt tears welling up in her eyes. “You don’t have to thank me… I’m the one who’s sorry for you.”

“And I’ve told you again and again not to apologize to me,” Michael said in a gentle tone. “I understand everything. And if it will make you feel better, I forgive you.”

Camille couldn’t help but smile through her tears. “Thank you.”

“No problem. I’m just glad that you’re opening up to me now and that you’re free of that man. You’ve really been through a lot.”

Camille was silent for a few moments, and Michael said nothing, simply waiting patiently for her to speak again.

It was a rainy night. Raindrops pattered against the closed window of her apartment, the sound like a lullaby to her ears.

She was currently alone in her bedroom, with only the dim orange light of the night lamp providing illumination. She closed her eyes, weighing the words in her mind before speaking once more.

“Noah… I’m going to change my name again.”

She could hear the surprise in his voice. “…What?”

“I’m changing my name again,” she repeated softly. “To Hailey van Gowen.”

There was a stunned silence from the other end of the line.

“You…”

“I realized it the moment my family came to visit me at home,” she said quietly, the words flowing out of her mouth so easily like water. “Memories are so precious, aren’t they? And you never really know what you had until it is gone.

“In those years after I left, I was so lonely. I didn’t have anyone by my side except for Holly, the nurse who took me in. And after that, it was Gregory Callahan.

“During those lonely nights, I would think of you and my family, and I would think… why did I leave them? Why did I have to do this? But I also don’t know if I regret going to see my mother. My biological mother, I mean.

“It was nice to see her in person, but I also realized that even though she was the one who actually gave birth to me, she was like a stranger. Even when I listened to her tell stories about her and my biological father, I couldn’t relate to it.

“I had mixed feelings at the time. It was nice to hear her talk and to have her remember me, but that was it. Since she suffered from a mental illness and wasn’t always available to talk to me and spend time with me, I felt even more lonely.

“I have my regrets, but I don’t want to add to them now. Right now, I just want to do the right thing and follow what my heart tells me to do.”

Michael had been silent as she spoke, and when she finally finished, he said, “I’ll support you in whatever you do. I’m here for you whenever you need me.”

And that was more than enough for Camille.

***

Before she made her final decision, she decided to have more conversations with her family to gain strength.

Paul and Benjamin sat with her in the living room of her apartment, the air filled with unspoken words and emotions. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on their faces.

She had told them about all her plans, and the words were beginning to sink in.

“We’ve also been thinking a lot about everything that’s happened,” Paul began, his voice soft. “We know it hasn’t been easy for you, and we want you to know that we support you no matter what.”

Ben leaned forward. “You’ve always been the strong one, the one who has taken on so much responsibility. But we want you to know that you don’t have to carry this burden alone. Follow your heart, sis. Whatever decision you make, we will be right here with you.”

Camille looked at her brothers, her heart swelling with a mixture of emotions. Tears welled in her eyes as she realized how much their support meant to her.

She was such a lucky woman to have loved ones so precious like this.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”

Paul reached out and pulled her into a hug, and Ben soon joined them.

For the first time in a long time, Camille felt truly understood and accepted.