Chapter Twenty-Five:A Promise to Stay

Camille had never felt fear like this. Not when she was left alone, pregnant and heartbroken. Not when she struggled to build a life for herself and Liam. Not even when she faced Dominic for the first time after a decade apart.

But sitting by his hospital bed now, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest, she felt like she was drowning.

The beeping of the monitors was too loud, the sterile scent of the hospital too sharp. Her fingers curled around Dominic's hand, gripping it tightly as if holding on to him could anchor her to something solid.

She had spent hours in this chair, watching over him, unable to rest. Isabel had stopped by, urging her to eat something. Even Nathan had called, his normally cool voice edged with worry. But Camille hadn't left his side.

She couldn't.

When Dominic stirred, a soft groan escaping his lips, relief crashed over her so hard she nearly gasped. His eyelids fluttered before his dark gaze settled on her, hazy but focused.

"You're awake," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.

His lips twitched faintly. "That's usually the goal."

Camille let out a sharp exhale, half a laugh, half a sob. "Don't joke about this."

His fingers twitched against hers, weak but deliberate. "Didn't mean to scare you."

"Well, you did," she snapped, the emotion in her voice stronger than she intended. "You scared the hell out of me, Dominic."

He shifted slightly, wincing at the movement. Camille immediately pressed a hand to his chest, forcing him to stay still.

"Don't," she ordered. "Don't push yourself."

Dominic sighed, the fight draining out of him as he sank back against the pillows. His gaze never left hers, though, and for the first time since he returned to Haven Cove, he looked… vulnerable.

"Bossy as ever," he murmured.

She swallowed, trying to steady herself, but her emotions were too raw. "You collapsed, Dominic. You could've—"

Her voice caught, and she couldn't finish the sentence.

He could've died.

Dominic reached up, brushing his fingers lightly against hers. "But I didn't."

Camille pulled her hand back, standing abruptly. She paced the small room, trying to gather herself, to push back the anger, the fear, the helplessness that clawed at her chest.

"You've been hiding this from me," she accused, turning back to face him. "Acting like everything's fine when it's not. When you're not."

Dominic exhaled slowly. "I didn't want you to see me like this."

Her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Why? Because you think I can't handle it? Because you still believe keeping me in the dark is protecting me?"

His jaw clenched, but he didn't argue.

Camille took a step closer, her voice quieter now but no less intense. "You don't get to shut me out, Dominic. Not anymore."

Something in his expression shifted, the mask of control slipping for just a moment.

"I'm not leaving, Camille," he said, voice steady despite the exhaustion in his eyes. "Not this time."

She wanted to believe him. But believing meant opening herself up to pain again. And she wasn't sure if she could survive losing him twice.

"You say that now," she whispered, "but what happens if the treatment doesn't work? What happens if you—"

"I'll fight," he interrupted, his grip on her hand tightening. "For you. For Liam."

Her breath hitched.

"If there's a chance for me to stay," he continued, "I'm taking it. No matter what."

Tears burned the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

Dominic's voice softened. "You and Liam… you're my reason to fight."

She shook her head, her heart warring with itself. "I don't want Liam to get attached only to lose you. I don't want to—"

She stopped, pressing a hand to her mouth, as if that could hold back the emotions threatening to spill over.

Dominic studied her, his gaze gentle yet unwavering. "I know you're scared. But I need you to believe in me, Camille. I need you to believe that I'm not walking away this time."

A tremor ran through her, because deep down, that was what terrified her the most.

She had spent so many years protecting herself, protecting Liam, building a life that didn't rely on Dominic Hayes. But now, here he was—willing to fight for them, willing to stay.

Camille inhaled shakily, letting his words settle in her heart.

And for the first time in years, she let herself hope.

She squeezed his hand, her grip just as strong as his. "Then fight, Dominic."

A faint, tired smile touched his lips. "I will."

And for now, that was enough.