Chapter 5

"Vero, we can take care of everything else for you, but you'll have to talk to Kamron yourself," Anabel said.

Anabel hesitated for a moment

Then she squeezed my hand and said, "Vero, I haven't said anything before, but Kamron's been hanging around outside your window almost every night. He stands there for hours, sometimes all night long. The place is covered with cigarette butts—even though I remember he never used to smoke. He must really be hurting.

"Don't think I'm being nosy, but if there's any misunderstanding between you and him, I really think you should clear things up. Even if you want a divorce, go for it openly and honestly. Don't you think so?"

"Thanks, Anabel. I know what I have to do," I said.

I figured I really did need to talk to Kamron in person—just to make sure he doesn't start holding a grudge against the William family someday over something I can't even name.

The commercial street was bustling with people.

I sat by the window of a famous bakery, watching the crowds outside while waiting for Kamron to show up.

"Here you go, your cheesecake and coffee. Enjoy yourself!" the staff said with a sweet smile.

"Thanks," I replied.

She flashed me a sweet smile before hurrying off to help another customer.

I watched her walk away, so full of youthful energy that it felt like she was glowing.

Honestly, if it were up to me, I'd probably make the same choice as Kamron. How could anyone not be drawn to a girl blooming with such vitality?

"Vero," someone called out to me.

I turned around, and my eyes widened—I really hadn't expected Kamron to show up so suddenly.

Kamron was always a stickler for his appearance—his suits had to be perfectly pressed, and he'd fired more than a few housekeepers just because they didn't meet his standards.

Especially after he got together with Paulina in my previous life, he was so meticulous about his outfits that he'd even fuss over the color of his ties.

But now, his hair was a mess, his beard was scruffy, and his custom-tailored suit looked like it had been left out in the sun too long—all wilted and lifeless.

He caught me staring at his rumpled suit, glanced down at himself, and cursed quietly in frustration.

He tried to reach for my hand, but I quickly pulled back before he could touch me, keeping my distance.

I slipped my hand under the table and couldn't bring myself to look at him anymore.

"Alright, I won't touch you. Don't get mad, okay? Can I... sit down?" Kamron said, sounding so careful it was almost like he was afraid I'd snap at him.

Seeing him act this way, I couldn't help but picture the cold, ruthless Kamron from my previous life—it was almost surreal how the timid guy in front of me and the intimidating one from back then kept blending together in my mind.

*****

"Veronica, no one from the William family is getting away—not even you," he'd spat, his voice ice-cold and full of venom.

"If you ever mess with Paulina again, I'll break your hand myself!" he'd threatened, eyes blazing with fury.

"Veronica, you should've died along with the rest of the William family!" he'd roared, his voice echoing with pure hatred.

*****

I could almost hear Kamron's icy, biting tone echoing in my mind—his threats still lingered in my ears, impossible to shrug off.

Suddenly, I jumped to my feet.

The side of my leg smashed into the corner of the table so hard that it nearly brought tears to my eyes.

Kamron reached out to steady me, then immediately knelt down, his hands moving to comfort my aching leg.

I backed away, and he was left with his hand suspended awkwardly in the air, unsure what to do next.

Kamron stayed frozen, not even daring to look up.

His face was hidden from me—I couldn't catch a glimpse of what he was feeling.

I shoved down my emotions, fiercely reminding myself to let go of the past, at least for now.

"I'm... fine. Really, you don't need to worry about my leg," I managed to say, trying to keep my tone distant.

Kamron didn't say a word. He just slowly got to his feet.

Kamron was much taller than me, towering over me as he stared down, his face expressionless—his presence was almost suffocating.

His shadow stretched across the table, swallowing me up in darkness, like I'd never escape this nightmare.

I couldn't help but tremble all over.

"You're scared of me," Kamron said, his voice low and heavy.

"Ever since that morning, you've been acting strange, Veronica. Why?" he asked, looking straight at me.

"Why?" I asked myself again, as if the question would ever change.

I wanted to know why, too—why he went after the William family so mercilessly in that last life.

I'd tortured myself with that question more times than I could count, until I was numb, until I stopped feeling anything, wondering if I'd ever get an answer—even if I had to stop believing myself.

Why do I keep chasing after an answer?

The William family was gone.

Even if I found out the reason, what would it change?

Would my loved ones ever come back?

None of it mattered anymore.

Even if he finally understood everything, what difference would it really make now?

I was being unfair... Kamron from that past life owed me, but it was not right to make this Kamron pay for things he never did.

But I just couldn't love him like I did before. That wall between us was already there, and nothing could ever tear it down.

So in the end, things between us would just go down the same road as last time—he'd end up hating me to the bone, and neither of us would ever let it go.

"Kamron, some people were never meant to be together all the way—like you and me," I said.

"Let's end it here. A divorce would be better for both of us. Just let me go," I said.

I moved past him, putting distance between us.

It was time to walk my own road again.

But before I could get away, Kamron grabbed my arm in a vice-like grip and yanked me back toward him.

"Not meant to last, huh?" Kamron shot back, his voice rough and challenging.