Old Money || Shawmila [Completed]

31. Welcome to the family

Camila sat at her desk in the small office of the law firm, but her mind was far away, well beyond those walls surrounded by New York traffic. Things weren't going well at work. The pressure was increasing as the Caplan trial approached, and the rumors of possible staff cuts had now become a certainty. The possibility of losing her job was becoming more and more real. The tension among employees was palpable, and it certainly didn't help foster a collaborative atmosphere. Not to mention how much more difficult things had become after her clash with Connor.

They were no longer speaking, and Camila felt the weight of the resentment between them, as well as the loneliness that he had always spared her from. If she hadn't slapped him and shouted at him, the whole episode would likely have ended with an embarrassed laugh, blaming the drinks they had consumed during the evening. But things didn't go that way, and Connor had crossed the line. Camila didn't even dare think about how she could fix things between them, especially if it meant losing Shawn. It was frustrating and painful, but Camila knew their relationship could not continue.

On the other hand, Shawn's attitude towards her hadn't improved. Since she accepted Connor's dinner invitation, Shawn had been keeping his distance. She had been surprised when, after telling him about the incident with Connor, he didn't say a word. He merely shook his head and left the room. It had been days since the two communicated in anything more than two-word sentences.

Camila buried herself in work, trying to focus, but her thoughts always returned to Shawn and their situation. She couldn't afford to lose him, and the thought that he was ignoring her tormented her. She decided to take control of the situation and try to fix things. She had many unresolved issues with Shawn and his family, and it was time to settle them.

The clinic where Chloe was staying blended perfectly with the elegant brick buildings that separated the outskirts from the center. The facade was modest, with a small staircase leading up to a large solid wood door. Inside, the atmosphere was calm and comfortable, the staff friendly, and the air smelled of wealth. It was the perfect place for privileged kids who needed to disappear from the scene for a while and get their lives back on track.

Perhaps "privileged kid" wasn't the best description for Chloe, considering how things had gone with her family, yet a small part of Camila envied the frivolity that Shawn's sister had always been able to enjoy. If Camila herself had ever fallen into the vicious spiral that had trapped Chloe, she would never have been able to afford that kind of help.

She pushed aside the hint of envy that had tinged her thoughts and asked for directions to Chloe's room. Two flights of stairs later, she found her curled up on the windowsill with a smug smile on her face. "I knew I'd see you again sooner or later."

Camila timidly entered the room, took off her coat, and sat at the foot of the bed. "I had my doubts, but I'm happy to be here. How are you, Chloe?"

The girl winked at her. "There's nothing I can complain about. I've definitely been worse." She got up, stretched, and sat next to Camila, then hugged her. "Thank you," she murmured, her nose buried in Camila's hair.

Although she returned the hug, Camila was perplexed. "For what?"

"For noticing me. I didn't appreciate it at first, but I'm grateful that you told my brother I needed help."

"There's no need to thank me. Actually, I should be the one thanking you." Camila took a deep breath. "In the past, I didn't behave well towards you and your family. I know I was wrong, but I also know that I'll never make that mistake again, no matter the cost."

"I sincerely hope so," thundered a voice behind her. At the doorway, Chloe and Shawn's mother stood, her posture statuesque and her expression filled with disdain. Camila's mouth went dry. Sure, she had come to the clinic to try to make amends for her mistakes once and for all, but she hadn't expected to face the woman.

A wave of shame washed over her. "Mrs. Mendes..."

"I see I've left you speechless. Good." The woman took two slow, leisure steps, like a model who want to be admired for one last second before disappearing from the runway. "And surprisingly, my son isn't here. All the better. I've been waiting years for the chance to speak to you one-on-one."

Camila wanted to retort, to make her understand that she wouldn't let herself be intimidated, that she wouldn't allow her to come between her and Shawn. But the words caught in her throat, and the blood froze in her veins. She let the woman steer the conversation. "Let's be clear: I've never liked you, and I probably never will, Camila, but I must admit that I have a certain kind of admiration for you. Few people know what they want from life and have the courage to go and get it. If this hadn't happened at the expense of my family, you and I wouldn't have a problem, but there's no use crying over spilled milk. After all, I know very well that the source of my problems was my ex-husband—you were just an annoying addition."

"If I could go back and erase what happened, I would. You need to know that."

"No, dear, that's not what I need to know. The past is in the past, and we can only look to the future. What I want is the certainty that my son will never have to worry about mending his broken heart again. I've never been a good mother, but I won't allow my children to live through that hell again. So, if there's even the slightest chance that this could happen, I ask you to disappear from our lives now and forever. No hard feelings."

Camila stood up from the bed with a solemn look. "I have many flaws, perhaps even more than you, and I've done a lot of morally wrong things. But I've learned from my mistakes. I know what it means to live with remorse, and I know what your son's absence from my life entails. I can give up my job, money, even friends, but nothing will ever come before Shawn. I can't promise I'll never make another mistake or that we won't have misunderstandings, but if there's one thing I can assure you, it's that the love I have for him will always come first."

"If that's the truth, welcome to the family."