Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 79

Something about this felt different to Nathan. Elena rarely acted this soft and clingy in front of other people.

And yet, seeing her like this sent a strange, almost pleasant tension through him.

"Alright," he said.

Nathan headed upstairs. A few minutes later, he came back down.

This time, he noticed something off. His brows drew together. "Why are you staying in a guest room?"

As far as he remembered, Elena had her own room in the house. With that many bedrooms, there was no way they did not have one set aside for her.

Elena blinked innocently. "Mom turned my room into an art studio for Camille."

Nathan frowned.

He knew Elena had always wanted approval from Richard and Catherine, yet she had never truly been treated well in this house. This was the perfect chance for him to step in.

"Mom, there are plenty of rooms here. You're telling me there isn't even one for Elena? She has to stay in a guest room?"

There was clear dissatisfaction in Nathan's tone.

Every word felt like a jab straight into Camille.

Catherine set her cup down with a sharp clink. "Are you questioning me? What's wrong with the guest room? She doesn't even come back that often. Why should we keep a room ready just for her?"

Camille sat there quietly, looking wronged, her eyes subtly accusing Nathan.

For some reason, Nathan actually felt a twinge of sympathy for Elena.

He had lied to her so many times, and now even her own family treated her like an outsider.

What started as an act suddenly felt real.

"She's my wife," Nathan said, lifting his chin slightly. "She's part of the Hawthorne family. If this is how you treat her, then you're disrespecting me too."

He pulled Elena slightly closer, taking her side.

Elena leaned into him naturally, her gaze drifting past Camille with a faint, deliberate edge.

Catherine was furious but refused to back down.

Elena noticed Nathan glance at Camille.

Camille bit her lip, then stood up. "Mom, please don't argue because of me. It's just a room. Let her have it. I'm fine."

Now that Camille had given in, Catherine could not push further. She just looked at Camille with undisguised pity.

Nathan personally went upstairs to get the room ready.

Meanwhile, Elena sat downstairs, casually eating barbecue from a takeout box. Catherine and Camille sat stiffly on the couch, both visibly unhappy.

Elena, completely unbothered, nudged the food slightly toward Camille. "Want some? Nathan picked it up. We used to come here all the time when we were dating. I love their barbecue."

Eat?

Camille felt like she might actually throw up.

"I'm good. Not hungry."

He sucked in a sharp breath. "Hey—"

He pulled her off him, frowning. "She's still downstairs!"

"I don't care!"

Camille was full of pent-up frustration. She pressed herself against him again, kissing him.

"Don't act like that with her, not right in front of me. Are you trying to drive me crazy?"

She meant it.

She was supposed to be the one in that position, yet everything was being handed to Elena instead.

Nathan's restraint started slipping. His hand slid under the hem of her top. "Hey, didn't I tell you? This is all for us. Or what, you want to struggle with me later?"

Camille went quiet.

Compared to the Hart family, the Hawthorne family still meant security, status, everything.

"You're unbelievable," she muttered, biting lightly at his throat. "Then promise me you won't fall for her."

"I promise," Nathan said without hesitation. "You're the only one I care about."

The air in the room shifted, growing heavier.

Downstairs, Elena sat in the living room. Nathan had not come back.

She did not need to think too hard about what he was doing. After a while, she picked up her phone and called him.