Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 59

The moment Camille saw Nathan and Elena, the smile on her face vanished. She shrank back as if startled, instinctively hiding behind a couple of female coworkers.

Nathan clearly did not expect to see her here. He frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Camille's eyes turned red, her voice soft and uneasy. "The magazine organized a team retreat here... I'm sorry, I didn't know you and Elena were coming too. Elena, please don't get the wrong idea, I didn't follow you here, and Nathan didn't know either."

The way she said it made it sound like Elena was some jealous, unreasonable wife.

"Well, what a coincidence," Elena said lightly, her tone carrying a hint of meaning. Then, right in front of Camille, she slipped her arm through Nathan's. "I almost thought you came together again."

Nathan immediately distanced himself. "No."

"I know," Elena said with a small smile. "We'll head up first. See you."

She held onto his arm as they stepped into the elevator. The doors closed, and she let go instantly. Nathan's phone started buzzing.

He glanced at the screen, his expression tightening slightly. Elena could guess exactly who it was. "Camille texting you? She really doesn't give up, does she? Was I too much just now? You two did grow up together, after all."

Nathan slipped his phone back into his pocket. "No, it's Ethan asking about something at work."

He pulled her close again, wrapping an arm around her. "Hey, you're my wife. If you get a little jealous, that just means you care. If you didn't, that would actually bother me."

The elevator stopped on the eighth floor. Elena used the moment to step away from him.

Nathan had booked Suite 8520, a couples suite. Standing at the door, he covered her eyes with his hand. "I've got a surprise for you."

"Really?" Elena smiled faintly. What could possibly top the "surprise" from her last birthday?

Her voice was soft and gentle. "You didn't get me anything, and now you're planning surprises for me? That feels a little backwards, doesn't it?"

Nathan relaxed a little at her tone. At least she was not upset about Camille showing up.

The door opened.

He guided her inside. She heard a switch click. Nathan removed his hand.

The sudden light made Elena blink before her vision cleared, revealing the scene in front of her.

The large round bed in the center of the room was covered in rose petals. In the middle sat a diamond ring, the stone large and brilliant, catching the light in dazzling flashes.

Nathan picked up the ring and reached for her hand.

Then he paused. Her ring finger was bare.

"Where's the ring I gave you before?"

Their original wedding ring had been a simple silver band. He had told her he made it himself, and she had accepted it with quiet happiness.

"My grandfather keeps asking when we're having a baby," he murmured. "Once we have a child, no one will be able to come between us."

So that was his plan.

Charles had made it clear before, he wanted them to have a child as soon as possible. Only then would he consider handing over the shares to Nathan.

It seemed Camille had pushed him harder than expected, enough for him to resort to something this cliché.

Elena stepped out of his arms. "I don't like this kind of lingerie."

She said it plainly. "Camille might like it. I don't."

She repeated it, making sure it landed.

Nathan frowned. "I thought we agreed not to bring her up. Why bring her into this again?"

It was her birthday. She had not prepared anything for him, which he let slide, and he had gone through all the trouble of setting this up. Yet she kept dragging the past back in.

Elena had always dressed conservatively. He thought maybe trying something new would help fix things between them.

But she was not playing along.