Free Web NovelChapter 100: Chapter 100 Spiteful Invitation
Hugo’s POV
I walked back to my room completely alone. The emptiness followed me down the hallway like a shadow. Maybe I needed someone there with me, but that someone had already chosen her path long ago.
She had never really been mine to begin with.
I found myself pacing the third floor corridor, unable to shake the image of Bella with her husband. Something about that man bothered me beyond simple jealousy. There was something familiar in his face that I couldn’t place. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
My phone started buzzing. I already knew who was calling.
"She keeps trying to reach us," I muttered to my wolf, thinking of Camilla.
"Guilt does that to people," my wolf replied.
I wasn’t sure about that. Camilla had let me down in ways I never expected. For so long, I thought I understood who she was. Then she went and destroyed my engagement dinner, ruining everything I had tried to build.
The person I trusted completely had shown poor judgment when it mattered most.
I finally picked up the call and held the phone to my ear.
"You actually answered," she said. Her voice sounded raw and congested, like she had been crying for a long time.
"You know I would take your call even during a battle. But what you did tonight, Camilla, you humiliated me," I said, drawing a slow breath.
For a brief moment earlier, I had almost been ready to throw everything away for Bella again. Then Vance appeared, and I remembered exactly how she had treated me before.
How could I be so blind when it came to her?
It wasn’t right.
Camilla was the only person who had stayed loyal to me through everything, and here I was being harsh with her because of Bella.
She seemed to read my thoughts because she started talking like she knew exactly what was going through my head.
"Yes, I was furious with her. After she left you broken, I just couldn’t control myself. I couldn’t think clearly. In my anger, I wanted to give her exactly what she gave you, to show her how it feels when someone attacks your past or makes fun of your struggles," she said, her voice cracking.
"Do you think I wanted to destroy my engagement dinner? No. I did it because I needed her to understand she was wrong. I’m truly sorry. If you want me to, I’ll apologize to her directly."
When she started crying, I began to feel guilty for being so hard on her. She had a point about what Bella had done to me.
Bella had hurt me deeply, but Camilla still shouldn’t have caused such a scene.
"Listen, never do anything like that again. You don’t need to fight my battles or confront her for my sake, understand?" I told her firmly.
"I understand. But does this mean you can forgive me?" she asked, hope creeping into her voice.
"I need time to get comfortable with the idea of an engagement ceremony again," I answered.
Something inside me whispered that I was making a mistake. But every time I remembered my past with Bella, how she had betrayed me, I pushed that feeling away.
If Bella could move forward without ever saying she was sorry, then I had every right to be with someone who would support me no matter what.
I didn’t owe Bella anything after she shattered my trust.
"I won’t let you down again. You know I only care about you, Hugo," she said softly.
"Have you eaten anything tonight?" I asked, trying to sound caring.
I knew I was being unfair by leading her on, but after she started taking care of me, we naturally grew closer.
Then at some point, she told me she wanted to be with me.
I was honest and told her I didn’t feel the same way, but she said all she needed was a chance and she wouldn’t disappoint me.
After that, we started dating, and everything became routine.
It was a solid relationship. We barely argued.
Camilla was genuinely understanding and patient.
It was an adult relationship, mature and stable.
I found her attractive and I did care about her, truly.
But that intense fire I once felt for Bella wasn’t there.
Maybe that was just because we weren’t teenagers anymore.
We were adults now, behaving like adults.
"I ate earlier. I heard you’re staying at the guesthouse for a while. That means I can see you," she said.
Her words made me step into my room and shut the door behind me.
We talked about various things, mainly the research project and the cure.
Then, as I moved to the window and looked outside, I spotted Bella walking down the road. My heart jumped immediately.
"What’s wrong?" Camilla must have noticed my distraction.
"Nothing important," I replied.
"Are you staying at the guesthouse mansion?" she asked.
I nodded automatically, even though she couldn’t see me. freewēbnoveℓ.com
"Bella’s mansion is right beside it, isn’t it? Everyone’s been talking about the researcher staying at the pack," she continued, which explained why she brought it up.
"That’s right," I said simply. Another long pause followed until she spoke again.
"What if I came over there?"
As soon as she suggested that, my body tensed.
"What do you mean?"
"Yes. You have your own floor, right? You must be feeling lonely. I could come stay there. We don’t need to share a room, I would just feel better knowing you’re close. And I’m sure you would enjoy having me there too," she added.
As I stared down at Bella, remembering how gentle and affectionate she had been with Vance, rage flooded through me, and I did what I always did when angry.
"Yes, absolutely. Come stay here. It would be perfect having you around," I said harshly, inviting her for all the wrong reasons.
The truth was, I wanted Bella to see me with Camilla and experience the same pain I felt watching her with Vance.
But deep down, I knew she wouldn’t care.
Maybe I was bringing Camilla closer just so I wouldn’t get lost in Bella’s eyes again.
It was more punishment for myself than for Bella.
Bella didn’t want me. She had made that perfectly clear multiple times.
After we ended the call, I saw Parker running out onto the road.
I couldn’t help wondering what was going on.
Was he about to embarrass himself, or was he actually trying to win her heart?
Something was happening, and I needed to be there too.
