Fragile (Always Be My Never)

Chapter 13 | The Missing Piece

Ross was too shocked to answer. All this time she thought Camilla hated her after she made a scandal with Oliver Hall, but she was wrong. Camilla ditched her because she tried to protect her from her father's anger, and she had sacrificed her marriage for it.

"But if you ask me, yes, he cheated on me," Camilla added. Ross could see she tried hard to fight her tears back. "And he told me he did it because he was disappointed with me because I raised my daughter to be a slut." Camilla cleared her throat and took Rossie's hand and held it tight. "Not that I blame you, dear. I know it was hard for you too."

"Mom, I'mㅡI'm really sorry," Rossie said. "I was a bad daughter, I'm so sorry."

To her surprise, Camilla smiled. "No need, Rossie. I'm glad you decided to come back to me. I missed you so much. Anyway, did Aunt Gracia take good care of you?"

Ross lifted an eyebrow. "She only gave me a bunch of dollars and told me to stay in some motels."

"What?" Camilla shocked. "But she said you were doing fine, getting along with Kath well."

Ross sat still.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Ross. I should've asked her to check on you myself. It's my fault." When Rossie's eyes started watering, Camilla added, "It's not your fault, Ross. I know you were trapped. I told you about that industry when you were twelve, remember?" She handed a cup of coffee to Ross. "I know someone wanted you to fall so they made a bad rumor about you. I should've encouraged you to stand up, but I didn't because I was having a hard time myself. I'm sorry, Ross. I wasㅡ"

"Mom, stop it," Ross cut her off. "Don't torture yourself for what happened in the past."

Camilla smiled and took a sip of her coffee. "It tastes better when I have you here, Ross."

Rossie smiled in return.

***

"So dad remarried two weeks after you guys divorced?" Ross repeated what Camilla just told her.

Camilla let out a heavy breath as she nodded. "She's a widow. With two sons your age."

"But, Mom, I can't understand," Ross sighed. "Isn't two weeks too soon?"

"I know, Ross," Camilla agreed. "But I think he had some reasons too."

"Like what?"

"That widow is your father's boss' daughter."

Rossie rolled her eyes. "What a small world. And he has never contacted you since then?"

"Oh, he has." Camilla pulled out an old dress from her cupboard. "I wore this when I was pregnant with you.'

"What did Father say?"

"Well, he said he wished the best for both of us."

"That's it?"

Camilla nodded in silence.

"Mom," Ross called out. She put the old dress aside and reached out for Camilla's hand. "Don't you feel betrayed?"

There was a long silence. Camilla's eyes were filled with tears as she pursed her lips.

"Don't you ever ask yourself whether he ever loved you all those times or did he just play around?" Ross went on.

"It's not as easy as you think it is, Ross." She gave her an odd look. "In some cases, you don't have to be in love in order to marry someone. Marriage is a different matter than falling in love."

Ross was quiet in an instant. It was a great quote to describe her complicated relationship with Josh. They were in love, addicted to each other, but that didn't mean their relationship would lead them into something that everyone wanted: marriage.