Cold Shoulders

Camilla's heart raced as she stood outside Millers Enterprises' tall glass walls, her hands clenched into fists.

It had been months since Drew's accident, months since her life had fallen apart. Now, she found herself back here, confronting the man who had once regarded her as his whole world but now viewed her as a mere stranger.

She swallowed hard and adjusted her dress. She had to see him. She had to make another attempt.

The receptionist recognized her immediately, shifting awkwardly. "Miss Brentwood, Mr. Millers is in a meeting. I don't think he—"

"Please, just let him know I'm here," Camilla interrupted, her voice calm despite the turmoil within her. "I won't leave until I see him."

The receptionist hesitated but eventually picked up the phone. Camilla watched closely, her heart racing as she waited. It didn't take long. As soon as the receptionist mentioned her name, a deep, familiar voice came through the line.

"Send her in."

A chill ran down Camilla's spine. Drew.

She walked through the hallways she once knew so well, each step bringing back memories, him stealing kisses in the elevator, whispering sweet promises, their laughter filling his office. Now, it all felt like a painful illusion.

When she opened his office door, her breath caught. There he was.

Drew stood behind his desk, looking every bit the powerful billionaire he was. He wore a tailored navy suit that hugged his frame perfectly, his jawline sharp, and his expression unreadable. But it was his eyes that struck her—those piercing blue eyes that had once been filled with love now regarded her with detached curiosity.

"Camilla," he said her name as if he were hearing it for the first time. "What brings you here?"

Her heart sank at his tone. The warmth and affection were gone, replaced by a chilling indifference.

"I had to see you," she confessed, stepping closer. "Drew, please listen to me."

He leaned against his desk with his arms crossed. "You have two minutes."

Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself. "Before your accident, we were deeply in love. You—"

"Tanis filled me in on everything," he interrupted, his voice carrying an edge she couldn't identify. "She said you were an ex who couldn't move on, that you keep showing up and causing drama."

Camilla felt a knot in her stomach. Of course, Tanis had gotten to him first.

"Tanis is lying," she asserted. "We weren't just a fling. We were together for years. You loved me, Drew. I know you don't remember, but—"

"That's enough," he interrupted sharply. "I'm engaged to Tanis now. Whatever we had, if it was anything at all, is over."

Camilla felt as if the air had been knocked out of her. Engaged. The word pierced her heart. This was really getting out of hand, she thought. If she didn't act fast, she would lose him forever to Tanis.

"Drew, please," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "Look me in the eyes and tell me you feel nothing."

For a brief moment, she saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes. But then he composed himself and straightened up.

"I don't know you," he replied coldly. "And I don't want to."

The finality in his voice crushed her.

Before she could respond, the door swung open, and Tanis walked in with a smug look. "Oh, Camilla. Still hanging around? How sad."

Camilla tensed, glaring at her. "You're deceiving him."

Tanis laughed, pretending to be innocent. "Am I? Or is it that you can't face the truth? Drew belongs to me now. And believe me, I'll ensure he never remembers you."

Drew's jaw tightened at Tanis's words, but he remained silent. Instead, he turned away from Camilla, signaling that the conversation was over.

Tears stung her eyes, but she held them back. She couldn't believe what was happening to her. She couldn't understand how yesterday, her life seemed all perfect and and today, she is grappling with what's left of her love life.

 Without saying a word, she turned and left, feeling as if she had lost him all over again.

Yet, as she entered the elevator, a sense of determination grew within her. This was not the end.

No matter what Tanis did or how hard she tried to erase her, Camilla was ready to fight.

She sat alone in the dim café, cradling a cup of coffee that had gone cold. The news of his engagement to Tanis replayed in her mind like a cruel joke.

How did it come to this? They had been deeply in love, and he had promised her forever. But that forever vanished the moment he lost his memories.

She revisited every moment, looking for signs she might have overlooked, small flaws in the perfect life they had created together.

Her best friend had always been there, supportive and like a sister. Yet, beneath that kindness lurked something darker, something predatory. The realization cut through her like a knife.

How long had she been plotting this? Did she wait for the perfect moment, or had she been manipulating everything from the start?

The accident. The memory loss. The ideal chance. He woke up without any recollection of her, but there was Tanis, spinning tales, reshaping their past, and placing herself at the heart of his life.

Now, he is with another woman, one who knows the truth but will keep it hidden.

Beneath her sorrow, she felt her anger brewing. How could he forget her so quickly? How could he trust another woman's words over the love they once had?

But then again, she tells herself it's not his fault. His mind has been taken, and his reality changed. It is her best friend who has betrayed her, poisoning the one person she cherished deeply.

Her heart aches with sadness, but she won't let the tears fall. No. This isn't the end. He may not remember, but she does. And the truth has a way of surfacing, no matter how deeply it is buried.