Chapter 16 - CAMILLE SAYS NO
Camille’s pregnancy reached twenty-eight weeks without major complication.
The baby kicked constantly.
She hated oranges.
Loved music.
Or maybe reacted to it.
We did not turn every fetal movement into destiny.
Then Morello House trustees asked whether we wanted to return after Eugenia’s residence suspension ended.
Camille said no.
I said no.
No debate.
We purchased a house in our own names.
Not a family trust.
Not Morello property.
Smaller than the estate.
Larger than any normal family needed.
Still mine and Camille’s under our agreed ownership structure.
She chose the kitchen.
I chose security.
We compromised on gates.
No room could be locked from outside.
That was not symbolism.
It was life-safety code.
Then Camille asked Mallory whether she wanted to work with us.
Mallory declined.
She wanted to stay with the professional estate management company while studying hospitality operations through the existing employee education program.
Good.
No rescuer household absorbing the witness.
Then Camille hired her own part-time housekeeper independently.
I had no role in hiring.
That was important to her.
Then family members complained Camille had “split Sebastian from the family.”
I finally answered.
I sent one message to the family group:
My wife did not remove me from my family. We moved because a member of my family unlawfully confined her inside our residence. Stop rewriting the sequence.
No threats.
No exclamation marks.
Then I left the group for a month.
Peace.
Then Camille made a decision about the birth.
Eugenia would not receive hospital notification.
No visitor list.
No announcement until Camille chose.
My mother’s siblings protested.
Not their decision.
Then Camille asked whether the child should carry Morello.
We had assumed yes.
Now she wanted to discuss.
“What do you want?”
“Morello is your name.”
“And hers if we choose.”
“Do you care?”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“Good. I want you to say when you care.”
We chose Morello.
Not because dynasty.
Because we wanted the same family name.
Camille kept her surname professionally and used Morello socially sometimes.
No purity.
Then the child’s first name.
Sofia.
No founder.
No matriarch.
No trust namesake.
Sofia because Camille liked it.
I liked Camille liking it.
Done.
Then Eugenia’s letter remained unread.
At thirty-four weeks, Camille asked for it.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
She read alone.
Then gave me a summary.
“She says she thought if she could get through Carillon, she’d fix everything afterward.”
Of course.
The eternal family lie.
After closing.
After the wedding.
After birth.
After inheritance.
Then we’ll apologize.
Camille continued:
“She says she didn’t think of the room as prison because she planned meals.”
Her face went cold.
“Does she understand now?”
“She says yes.”
“Do you believe her?”
“I believe she knows the word.”
May you like
That was not the same thing.
Good distinction.
