The Billionaire's Revenge

Chapter 18: White Roses

Chapter 18

“Hey… why did you come? You didn’t have to do that,” Camille said as they stood outside her apartment building, worry still tight in her voice.

Cameron looked at her like the answer was obvious.

“It was lunch time,” he said calmly, “and I wanted to check on you.”

“I know,” she sighed. “But I’m scared you might end up in a bad light because of me.”

That made his jaw tighten slightly.

His expression turned serious again—controlled, but firm.

“Don’t worry about me,” he said. “I will always choose to protect you.”

Camille looked up at him.

That sentence wasn’t said lightly.

It wasn’t playful.

It was a promise.

He walked her up to her apartment, staying quiet for most of the ride. When they reached her door, he finally relaxed just a little.

“I’ll be back, okay?” he said.

Before she could respond, he leaned in and kissed her forehead—soft, lingering just a second longer than necessary.

Then he left.

⸻

Inside, Camille immediately grabbed her phone.

Her hands were still slightly shaking.

She called Rachel.

And Jasmine answered on speaker.

“Girl,” Rachel said immediately. “We’ve been talking about it nonstop.”

“What’s going on?” Camille asked quickly. “Are they going to get suspended?”

There was a pause.

Jasmine spoke first, more serious now. “It’s bad. Like… really bad. The school has strict rules. Fighting—especially physical—can lead to suspension or worse, expulsion.”

Camille went silent.

“Oh gosh,” she whispered.

Her chest tightened.

“I don’t want him to get in trouble because of me…”

Rachel softened immediately. “Camille, listen to me.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Jasmine added. “He stepped in because someone was being inappropriate with you.”

Rachel nodded even though Camille couldn’t see her. “And honestly? That guy deserved it. Everyone saw it.”

Camille exhaled shakily. “But Cameron…”

“We’ll be witnesses,” Rachel said firmly. “If they call anyone in, we’ll say exactly what happened.”

“And we’re supporting you both,” Jasmine added. “He wasn’t reckless. He protected you.”

Camille sat down slowly on her couch, still worried—but listening.

“I just… don’t want him to lose everything,” she admitted softly.

Rachel’s voice softened. “He knows what he did.”

“And he chose you anyway,” Jasmine said gently.

That made Camille quiet.

After a moment, Rachel added, “Just trust him a little.”

Camille nodded even though they couldn’t see her.

“Okay,” she whispered. “Thank you.”

“Call us anytime,” Jasmine said.

“We got you,” Rachel added.

⸻

Afternoon came slowly.

Camille couldn’t focus on anything.

Every sound outside made her look up.

Every notification made her heart jump.

Until—

Ding dong.

She froze.

Then quickly walked to the door.

When she opened it—

Cameron was there.

Holding a small bouquet of white roses.

And a box of donuts in the other hand.

He looked calmer now.

But still serious.

“I’m sorry,” he said immediately. “For making you worry.”

Camille stared at him for a second.

Then shook her head quickly.

“No,” she said. “Don’t be sorry. I know you were trying to protect me… I just—” her voice softened, “I was so scared for you.”

That broke something in his expression.

He stepped forward.

And before she could say anything else—

she hugged him.

Tightly.

Like she had been holding it in all day.

Cameron froze for half a second—

then wrapped his arms around her gently.

Warm.

Solid.

Safe.

“I’m okay,” he said quietly near her ear.

Camille held on a little longer before pulling back.

“I don’t like seeing you in trouble because of me,” she admitted.

“It wasn’t because of you,” he said firmly. “It was because I chose to step in.”

She looked at him.

Still worried.

But a little calmer now.

He lifted the white roses slightly.

“For you,” he said.

Camille blinked. “You brought flowers?”

“White ones,” he added. “Calm. Safe.”

She smiled softly despite everything.

“And donuts?” she asked.

A faint smirk returned. “You were stressed. I did my research.”

That made her laugh lightly.

“You’re so thoughtful,” she said.

Cameron’s expression softened again.

“Only for you,” he replied.

The tension between them slowly eased as they stepped inside.

Camille sat on the couch while he set the donuts down, then joined her.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Cameron reached for her hand.

“I’ll handle everything,” he said quietly. “You just focus on school.”

Camille looked at him.

“You can’t keep protecting me from everything,” she said softly.

“I know,” he admitted. “But I’ll try anyway.”

That made her heart tighten.

She leaned her head lightly against his shoulder.

And for the first time that day—

she felt calm again.

Because no matter what happened outside—

he still came back to her.