Chapter 12 - The Art of Staying Broken

🕰️ Paris — Two Hours After the Gala

Camille sat in the backseat of a black town car, her eyes distant and hollow. Her hands pressed protectively over her stomach, but her touch was mechanical—like someone who'd forgotten the reason for it.

Vincent leaned against the opposite door, dressed sharply in black-on-black. "What were you thinking, showing up uninvited?"

"I needed to see it."

"See what? Him dancing with her like the world stopped turning?" Vincent scoffed. "Camille, what you did wasn't brave. It was masochistic."

She turned to him, her voice brittle. "I needed to remember what I'm fighting for."

Vincent stared at her, and for a brief moment, something unfamiliar flickered behind his sarcasm—concern.

"You're not fighting for him, Cam. You're fighting against her."

She didn't argue. She didn't need to.

💼 New York — CraneCorp, Boardroom

The glass boardroom shimmered under sterile lights. Selene sat at the head of the table in a navy pantsuit, her legs crossed, her stare sharp enough to cut steel. Across from her was Marcus, lounging with calculated ease, as though the entire world's tension was a game of chess and he was winning.

"We have a problem," he said, gesturing at the screen behind him.

Headlines rolled across it:

CAMILLE DUVAL CONFIRMS PREGNANCY — JULIAN CRANE REMAINS SILENTICE QUEEN OR BETRAYED LOVER? PUBLIC SPLIT LOOMS OVER HELIX-CRANE MERGER

Selene tapped her pen once, twice. Then she leaned forward.

"This isn't a PR problem. It's a loyalty problem."

Marcus's eyes narrowed. "You're calling Julian disloyal?"

Her lip curled into something resembling a smile. "I'm saying this isn't the first time he's prioritized chaos over clarity."

One of her lawyers shifted uncomfortably. "Miss Arden… investors are rattled. They're asking if Helix is stable."

Selene didn't look away. "Let them. But remind them that I built Helix while grieving my father's death, surviving a proxy takeover, and enduring betrayal in my own bed."

Her voice, soft as silk, was laced with venom.

"I don't do instability. I outlast it."

🧠 FLASHBACK — Two Years Ago

A snowstorm had trapped them in a cabin in the Swiss Alps. Selene was curled on the velvet couch in an oversized sweater, sipping cocoa. Julian stood at the fireplace, a ridiculous marshmallow stuck to his finger.

"You know," he said, "sometimes I wish we could stay here forever."

She raised a brow. "You hate snow."

"I love you more."

She had smiled then. Not a smirk. Not the poised press-release smile. A real one.

That was the night he'd first said I love you.

She didn't say it back. But she had believed it.

🌧️ London — Vincent's Apartment

Camille stood barefoot on the balcony, her robe soaked with drizzle. The chill bit into her skin, but she welcomed it. It kept her awake.

Inside, Vincent watched her with an unreadable expression. He handed her a glass of wine.

"You need sleep."

"I can't," she whispered.

Vincent clinked his glass against hers. "Then let's drink to the consequences."

She smiled, just a little. "Do you think Selene will try to ruin me?"

"Absolutely," he said flatly. "But not for Julian. Not even for the company."

Camille turned to him. "Then why?"

Vincent paused. Then quietly: "Because you made her feel. And that's the one thing she swore never to do again."

✉️ Draft Email — From Selene to Julian (Unsent)

Subject: What I Never Said

You should have told me. The night it happened. I could have left. I could have screamed. But I would have done it with my head high.

Instead, I stayed. Trusted the silence. Believed in you.

And now? I don't know what was worse—your betrayal or my faith in you.

—S

She hovered over "Send."

Then deleted it.

🕵️ Secret Meeting — Geneva

Marcus met Camille in a luxury hotel café. His coat was pressed, his watch gleamed. Hers was a little too tight over her stomach.

"You wanted to meet?" he said coolly.

Camille slid a folder across the table.

"Medical records. A timeline. Travel documents. OB-GYN appointments."

He opened it. Scanned the papers. "You want me to verify that this child is Julian's?"

Her lips curved. "I want Selene to doubt."

He gave her a long look. "You're more dangerous than I remember."

"You have no idea."

📱 Text Message — Evelyn to Marcus

EVELYN: Meet me. Alone.MARCUS: Why?EVELYN: Because your loyalty is bleeding. And I know where the knife came from.

🥂 Rome — Crane Foundation Gala

Selene arrived in silver. Hair pinned in diamond clips, her back a wall of glass and steel. Julian was already there—stiff in his tux, glass of champagne untouched.

Their eyes met across the marble ballroom.

He walked toward her. Slowly. Like every step might shatter the ground beneath him.

"Dance with me," he said softly.

"No."

"Selene…"

"I don't do nostalgia, Julian."

He swallowed. "I didn't know she was pregnant when—"

Her hand rose. "Stop. You don't get to rewrite this."

He leaned closer. "Then let me write something new. Let me fix it."

She met his gaze with ice.

"You can't fix what was never whole."

"It was," he whispered.

She shook her head. "Not if it broke that easily."

🧨 Twist — Evelyn & Marcus

They met in a shadowed corner of the gallery after the gala.

"You're slipping," Evelyn said.

Marcus chuckled. "I didn't know you were Selene's bodyguard now."

"I'm her anchor," Evelyn replied. "And you're not the only one being played."

He stilled.

"She knows Camille's child might not be Julian's. She also knows you helped plant that file."

"And she hasn't burned me yet?"

"Because she's waiting," Evelyn said. "Selene doesn't strike when angry. She waits until you think you're safe."

🧠 FLASHBACK — Selene & Camille — Five Years Ago

Before the companies. Before the betrayal.

Camille and Selene sat in a tiny Milan apartment, eating burnt toast and watching old Audrey Hepburn films.

"Do you think we'll still be friends when we're powerful?" Camille asked.

Selene sipped her coffee. "No."

Camille laughed.

Selene didn't.

🌪️ Present Day — Geneva

Selene stormed into her penthouse, eyes blazing. Evelyn followed, breathless.

"She doctored the file," Selene spat. "Two of the dates—appointments on weekends. Clinics were closed."

Evelyn blinked. "So it's a lie?"

"Partially. Just enough to blur the truth."

Selene turned to the window. Rain smeared the view of the city below.

"What if it's not Julian's?" Evelyn asked.

Selene didn't answer.

🔐 Selene's Secret

At 2:47 a.m., Selene opened a password-protected folder.

Inside: a private investigator's report. Camille's movements. Medical reports. A paternity test—unofficial, inconclusive.

Selene traced her finger over the photo of Camille and Vincent, arms linked.

She didn't cry.

She simply whispered, "I will not be collateral."

🎭 End Scene — Monaco Private Suite

Camille lay on silk, robe slipping down one shoulder. Her belly rising gently with each breath.

Vincent sat across the room, expression unreadable.

"They're digging," she said.

"Let them."

"If they find out it's not Julian's…"

Vincent looked at her for a long time.

"Then what?"

Camille's eyes glinted.

"Then I use the truth as a weapon instead of the lie."

Outside, waves crashed against the cliffs.

Inside, the game reset.