Chapter 3

Daniel had initially planned to help Camille up first, then work on convincing Valentina. But he never expected that before he could even start persuading her, she would agree so readily. "Val, you're always so understanding." His voice carried the relief of a burden lifted. He paused, then continued, "By the way, Camille just got out of the hospital and has no one to take care of her. I was thinking of having her move in here." "There are plenty of guest rooms," Valentina cut him off. "She can stay in whichever one she wants." Daniel's expression suddenly became troubled. He pressed his lips together, his voice dropping. "Val, I was thinking... I'd like her to sleep in the master bedroom with me." Valentina's head snapped up, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You have to understand," Daniel said, still avoiding her gaze. "To get her pregnant as quickly as possible, it would be better if she and I shared a bed every night..." He trailed off, but his meaning couldn't have been clearer. Valentina's fingernails dug deep into her palms, but the physical pain couldn't match the agony tearing through her chest. He didn't just want Camille to move in; he wanted her to watch them share a bed every single night! Seeing her pale face, Daniel quickly tried to explain. "I just want to end this situation as fast as possible. Once she's pregnant, we can go back to how things were before." Valentina fought back the heartbreak. "I understand." That night, Daniel and Camille moved into the master bedroom while Valentina slept in the guest room next door. When they had been sneaking around before, they had at least shown some restraint. Now that everything was out in the open, the noise was so loud the walls seemed to shake. "Ah... Daniel... slower..." "Just bear with it..." Daniel's breathing was heavy and labored. "It'll be over soon..." The bed creaked rhythmically, mixed with intimate sounds and soft moans. Valentina pulled the covers over her head, but couldn't block out the sounds that seemed to drill straight into her ears. She suddenly remembered their first time together. Back then, Daniel had been so nervous he was drenched in sweat. His movements were gentle as if she were made of glass, asking over and over if he was hurting her. Now he was taking another woman with wild abandon. Tears soaked her pillow as Valentina bit down hard on her lip to keep from sobbing out loud. Valentina barely slept all night, finally drifting off just as dawn was breaking. Violent knocking jolted her awake. She dragged her exhausted body to the door and saw a woman in a floral coat shouting at the top of her lungs. "Camille! Open up! I brought a fine gentleman who wants to meet you!" Behind the busybody neighbor, Lola Peterson, stood a young man carrying bags and packages, his face plastered with an eager smile. Before Valentina could react, the master bedroom door suddenly burst open. Camille emerged wearing a robe, her face flushed as she opened the front door. "Ms. Peterson, what's all this..." "Oh, sweetie!" Lola grabbed her hand. "You just lost your husband, and you're so young! What a waste to remain a widow! You should find yourself a new man to marry! "This is Tommy Wilson. His family has everything—washing machine, TV, car, the works. Great prospects! He just lost his wife too, so you'd be perfect for each other." Hearing this, Tommy Wilson quickly stepped forward with a flattering smile. "Ms. Lane, shall we get acquainted?" Camille was about to speak when a dark figure suddenly charged out of the master bedroom. Daniel's fist slammed into Tommy's nose, and blood immediately gushed out! "She doesn't need to remarry!" Daniel's voice was cold as ice. "Get lost!" Tommy stumbled backward, clutching his nose, while Lola jumped back in fright. "Oh my goodness, Captain Pierce! "What are you doing? Let's talk this through! There's no need for violence!" But Daniel wasn't listening. He grabbed the gifts from the ground and threw both the man and his presents out the door. "Get out! If you dare come here with marriage proposals again, don't blame me for what happens next!" The door slammed shut with a bang that made the walls tremble. Valentina stood there, feeling cold all over. This scene was so familiar. Last year at the military mixer, when a soldier had asked her to dance, Daniel had charged forward just like this and knocked the man to the ground with a single punch. Back then, he had pulled her into his arms and said fiercely, "She's my woman. Nobody else can touch her!" But now, he was showing that same possessiveness for Camille. Did he really have no feelings for Camille and just want to give her a child? Or somewhere along the way, without her knowing, had he given half his heart to Camille too? Valentina's fingernails dug deep into her palms, but she couldn't feel the pain. Then she watched as Camille smiled and tugged at Daniel's sleeve, her eyes sparkling. "Daniel, you've always said you didn't want to get involved with me, haven't you? So why did you get so worked up when someone came to propose?" She leaned in closer. "Are you... starting to have feelings for me too?"