The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 252

Camilla froze for a moment, completely thrown off by her mother’s words. She shook her head, almost in reflex. “No, that’s not it.”

Adelaide’s voice lost any warmth it had. “I gave birth to you, Camilla. I know exactly what’s going on in that head of yours.”

“You feel sorry for their love story, for how things never worked out between them. You blame me, your own mother, and you grew close to that woman. But you act like you’re forgetting something… without me, you wouldn’t even exist.”

Camilla couldn’t hold it in. “Then I wish I’d never been born.”

“How can you say that?”

Nathalie finally snapped. She couldn’t stand listening to Camilla treat her grandmother like this. “That’s your mom you’re talking to. All you see is your dad stuck in a marriage and forced apart from the person he loved. Have you ever thought about what your mom went through? How would it feel to live with a husband who’s cold to you, every single day? And now, after learning all of this, do you really think she’s not hurting too?”

Nathalie’s eyes were burning. “You’re just so selfish.”

Getting yelled at by her own daughter, Camilla turned pale with rage. Her voice dripped sarcasm. “And what about you? I’m your mother. Look at how you’re acting.”

Nathalie just smiled, though it looked painful. “If I had a mom who loved me, took care of me, protected me… I’d never hurt her for anything.”

Camilla’s breath hitched. “When have I ever treated you badly? When? Tell me.”

“If you really cared about me, you wouldn’t have brought Felice James into this house,” Nathalie answered, her voice cold. “So you can stop pretending now.”

Camilla was shaking, her face turning white as a sheet. She tried to point at Nathalie, wanted to yell, but it felt like the air had left her.

Nathalie turned to Adelaide, her tone soft and gentle again. “Grandma, none of that matters. I’ll always be here for you.”

Adelaide looked at Camilla like she was a stranger. Her voice was quiet, but direct. “Did your father take you to meet her? Is that how you learned everything? Did you two become close, and that’s why you found out about the past?”

Nathalie felt a wave of relief. Her grandmother hadn’t given in, and for her, that was the best thing that could happen.

She helped Adelaide to her feet, and together they left.

Camilla just sat there, collapsed on the sofa, her face ghostly pale. Her eyes didn’t have any fight left in them—only defeat.

She hadn’t managed to get the earrings back.

Her regret for Felice only grew. That poor girl hadn’t had a single good day since coming to the Blair family and she was always at odds with Nathalie. Now, the only thing Felice wanted was to get those earrings, and Camilla hadn’t been able to make it happen. She felt like a total failure.

Downstairs, Adelaide and Nathalie came out to the dining room. Daniel stood up right away. “Mom, lunch is ready. Come sit down and eat.”

Adelaide shook her head. “No, thank you. I’m tired. I want to go home and rest.”