Chapter 53
Greta slipped into her usual lecture mode, “Nel, you spent a ton on that talent contest, and I’m guessing it was all on credit, right? You haven’t cleared those debts, and now you’re living large at Milan’s priciest club. You’re digging yourself into a deep hole. You know Dad’s business has been struggling these past few years. It has not been bringing in much. He can’t bail you out.”
Nellie gave Greta a cold look, “He can’t help me with my debts, but he found the cash for your kidney transplant, right?”
Tears welled up in Greta’s eyes. “Nel, I didn’t want to use Dad’s money either…”
“Then maybe you should just die. If you were gone, you wouldn’t drag the Brown family down with you anymore.” Nellie snapped, tired of Greta’s fake sincerity.
Slap!
Cameron’s hand struck Nellie’s face hard, his eyes fiery and wild, like an enraged beast. “Nellie, how dare you curse your sister? Are you
ying to get yourself into trouble?”
Nellie clutched her stinging cheek and shot Cameron a fierce glare. “Mr. Dawson, we haven’t signed those divorce papers yet, have we? You’d hit your own wife to protect another woman? Don’t you think being your wife is a curse?”
Cameron saw his own fury reflected in Nellie’s seething eyes. He took a deep breath, calming down, and reached out to touch Nellie’s face, but she instinctively jerked away.
Lizzy, who hadn’t expected the so–called gentleman Cameron to lash out, stepped between them furiously. “Mr. Dawson, lay a finger on her again, and I won’t hold back,” she warned, her voice edged with anger.
Cameron’s hand froze mid–air, and sensing the loathing in Nellie’s eyes, he awkwardly dropped it. “Nel, being caught between you and your sister is exhausting. Can you stop this drama?” he asked, sounding a bit defeated.
Nellie scoffed, “Cameron, then just divorce me. Be with the one you really love. You don’t have to live this messed–up life.”
A flicker of hope danced in Greta’s eyes. But Cameron shook his head, unwavering. “Nel, I know I haven’t been the best, but I’ll change. When you come back to me, we’ll make it work.”
Nellie looked at him like he was out of his mind. “Cameron, wait all you want.” With that, she turned on her heel and walked away.
Lizzy threw Cameron a fierce glare. “She is a Virgo. She’d never accept a guy who’s strayed emotionally. So, do yourself a favor and set her free.” Then, sticking her tongue out at him, Lizzy followed Nellie.
Cameron’s expression darkened.
Greta mumbled, “What happened to Nel? She’s so blunt and materialistic now. I worry she’s going to get into trouble.”
Cameron watched Nellie head into the presidential suite, eyes filled with frustration. He followed after her.
“Cameron, wait up,” Greta trailed behind.
Nellie opened the door of the Presidential Suite to find a tall, poised figure by the floor–to–ceiling window, bathed in the soft winter sunlight, looking almost golden. “Nathan.” Nellie’s face lit up.
She hurried over, not noticing Lizzy hadn’t come in but had thoughtfully closed the door, standing guard outside like a sentinel.
Nathan turned, arms open for a hug. “Hey, long time no see. Give me a hug.”
Nellie hesitated, her face playful and teasing. “A hug? Nathan, you’re a grown–up now-” She intended to say it wasn’t quite proper…But then she remembered how little affection he’d had growing up. Now, he was reaching out to her as family, so why not give him that?
