Chapter Ten: Camille’s Conflict

Camille hadn't meant to let it happen.

She had spent years keeping Dominic Hayes out of her life, building a safe, quiet world for Liam—one where the past couldn't touch them. One where secrets remained buried.

And yet, there he was. Sitting across from Liam, a chessboard between them, their conversation flowing as easily as if they'd known each other forever.

Camille gripped the edge of the counter, her knuckles whitening.

She should have stopped it. She should have told Dominic to leave the café, made it clear that she wasn't about to let him waltz in and turn their lives upside down.

But when Liam had needed an opponent, when he had looked up at her with hopeful eyes, she had frozen. And before she could think better of it, she had offered Dominic up as a challenger.

Now she couldn't tear her eyes away.

Liam was laughing—a soft, easy laugh she hadn't heard in a long time. He leaned forward, fully engaged in the game, his mind whirring, his confidence unwavering.

And Dominic?

He wasn't just playing. He was watching Liam. Studying him in a way that made Camille's chest tighten.

He sees himself in him.

Her throat burned.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

She had spent years preparing herself for the possibility that Liam might one day ask about his father. She had rehearsed the conversations, planned for the pain, told herself she was protecting him.

But she had never expected this.

Never expected Dominic to show up. Never expected Liam to unknowingly gravitate toward him, as if something in his very blood recognized the man sitting in front of him.

I have to stop this.

She moved before she could second-guess herself, stepping forward just as Liam leaned back with a triumphant grin.

"Checkmate!"

Dominic blinked, then let out a low chuckle. "Well played."

Liam beamed. "You weren't bad, though."

Dominic smirked. "Not bad? That's a step up from most adults."

Liam shrugged. "You think five moves ahead. I think seven."

Dominic let out a deep laugh, something genuine, something that made Camille's stomach twist.

Enough.

She cleared her throat, forcing both their gazes to snap toward her. "Liam, it's getting late. You still have homework to finish."

Liam groaned. "Mom—"

"No arguments," she said, her tone sharper than intended. She softened slightly. "Go grab your things, please."

Liam sighed but obeyed, slipping out of his chair and heading toward the back of the café.

The moment he was out of earshot, Camille turned to Dominic.

"This can't happen," she said quietly.

His expression sobered, the amusement in his eyes fading. "Camille—"

"No." She shook her head, keeping her voice steady. "He doesn't know who you are. And I'm not going to let you confuse him or turn his world upside down just because you suddenly decided you want to be a father."

Dominic exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "You think that's what this is? That I just woke up one morning and decided to show up?"

"That's exactly what this is," she snapped. "You've been gone for ten years, Dominic. You don't get to walk in now and claim him."

His eyes darkened. "I would have been here if I had known."

She clenched her jaw, the old anger flaring up. "Well, you didn't. And now, I have to think about what's best for Liam."

He stared at her for a long moment, something unreadable in his gaze. Then, quietly, "And you don't think I could be what's best for him?"

Her breath hitched.

Because once upon a time, she had believed exactly that.

But that was before. Before the silence. Before the heartbreak. Before she had been left to pick up the pieces alone.

Before she had built a life that didn't include him.

She forced herself to meet his gaze, to keep her voice firm. "I don't know if you're capable of staying, Dominic. And I'm not going to let him get attached to someone who might walk away again."

Something flickered in his expression. Guilt. Maybe even pain.

But she didn't give him a chance to respond.

Liam returned, backpack slung over one shoulder. "Ready."

Camille nodded and placed a hand on his back, guiding him toward the door.

But just before they stepped out, Liam glanced over his shoulder at Dominic.

"You should play again sometime," he said, flashing a small grin.

Dominic's throat bobbed. He forced a smile. "I'd like that."

Camille's heart clenched.

She didn't look back.