The bride who came back

(Livia) I stared at Julian, wondering whether I had heard him correctly. Camille had just spoken to me on the phone, and she hadn't mentioned returning home. I wondered if my parents had somehow discovered where she was staying. Julian was already walking toward the door. "How did they find her?" "I don't know." "Did she go home?" "That's what we're going to find out." He left without waiting for another question. I picked up my wedding ring and put it back on before changing into a simple dress. I wasn't interested in impressing my parents, especially after what Camille had told me. I collected my phone and went downstairs. Julian was waiting near the entrance with his car keys. He looked at my clothes before opening the front door. I followed him outside, where a black car was parked. He got behind the wheel while I took the passenger seat. "Did your father say anything else?" "No." "Then why are we going there?" "Because I want to speak to Camille." I looked at him. He hadn't even asked whether I wanted to see my sister. I wondered what he would say when he discovered she had known about the agreement. Perhaps he would finally understand that I hadn't planned any of this. "There's something you should know before we get there." "Not now, Livia." "It's about our fathers." "I said not now." I turned toward the window and stopped talking. Julian had spent our entire marriage refusing to listen to me. I wasn't going to beg him for another opportunity. He could discover the truth himself. We reached my parents' house about thirty minutes later. Several cars were parked outside, including one I recognized as Charles Prescott's. Julian noticed it too and frowned. He parked near the entrance before getting out. I followed him toward the front door. A housekeeper answered before we could knock again. She greeted Julian respectfully and stepped aside to let us enter. I hadn't expected to feel uncomfortable returning to the house where I grew up. My father's voice came from the sitting room. He sounded angry, and I could hear my mother trying to calm him. Julian walked ahead of me without waiting for an invitation. I followed and stopped when I saw everyone inside. Camille was sitting on the sofa beside our mother. Charles stood near the fireplace while my father paced in front of them. Camille looked up when we entered, and her eyes immediately went to Julian. She stood before either of us could speak. "Julian." He stopped a few feet away from her. "Where have you been?" "I'm sorry." "That wasn't my question." Camille looked at our parents before answering. She appeared nervous, but I couldn't tell whether it was because of Julian or our father. I remembered her telling me she didn't want to be found. Now she was standing in the same room as everyone she had avoided. "I've been staying with a friend." "For over a week?" "I needed time." Julian looked at her. "Do you have any idea what you put me through?" Camille lowered her eyes. "I never meant to hurt you." I watched them without saying anything. Julian had never looked at me the way he was looking at Camille. Even when he was angry, there was something different about his attention. I wondered whether he would have brought me here if he hadn't needed to. My father approached us. "Livia, come here." I remained where I was. "What?" His expression changed. "Don't speak to me like that." "Then tell me why I'm here." My mother stood. "Your sister has returned, and we need to discuss what happens next." I looked at Camille. "What happens next?" She avoided my eyes. I wondered whether she had already told our parents about our conversation. My father appeared more concerned about Julian than anything else. Charles was watching his son without interrupting. Julian turned toward my father. "How did you find her?" "She came home herself." I looked at Camille. She had told me she wasn't returning because our father would never forgive her. Now she had appeared without warning. I wondered what had changed her mind. "Why did you come back?" Camille looked at me. "Because I couldn't keep hiding." "That's interesting." My mother frowned. "Livia, don't start." I ignored her. Camille had been asking whether Julian still loved her, and now she was standing in front of him. I doubted her return had anything to do with wanting to see me. She hadn't even greeted me. Julian approached Camille again. "Why didn't you call me?" "I was afraid." "Of me?" "Of what you'd say." He looked away before answering. I could see that he wanted an explanation, but he wasn't speaking to her the way he spoke to me. If I had disappeared without permission, I doubted he would have been so patient. Camille seemed to know that too. Charles finally spoke. "We should all sit down." Julian turned toward him. "Why are you here?" "Richard called me when Camille arrived." "And what does that have to do with you?" "We need to consider how her return affects the family." I sat in an armchair near the window. My father looked displeased that I hadn't waited for his permission. Camille returned to the sofa while Julian remained standing. Nobody seemed interested in explaining why my presence was necessary. My mother looked at Julian. "Camille made a mistake, but she's home now." Julian stared at her. "And?" "Perhaps there's a way to resolve this situation." I looked at my mother. I couldn't believe she was suggesting what I thought she was suggesting. Julian was already married to me, whether anyone liked it or not. Camille couldn't simply return and take my place again. "What situation?" My mother looked annoyed. "Livia, please let the adults discuss this." I stared at her. "I'm twenty four." "Then behave like it." I stood. "Are you suggesting Julian should leave me and marry Camille?" Nobody answered immediately. Camille looked down at her hands while my father exchanged a look with Charles. Julian turned toward my mother. I waited for someone to tell me I had misunderstood. Charles cleared his throat. "The marriage cannot simply be undone." My father looked at him. "We understand that." "Then what exactly are you proposing?" My mother looked toward Camille. "We're only considering what's best for everyone." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. They had forced me to marry Julian because Camille disappeared. Now she was back, and they were discussing whether I should remain his wife. Apparently, my life could be rearranged whenever my sister changed her mind. I looked at Camille. "Is this what you wanted?" She finally met my eyes. "Livia, I didn't ask them to do this." "Then tell them to stop." Camille didn't answer. I looked at Julian, expecting him to say something about our marriage. He was watching my sister instead. Then my father spoke again. "There's another matter we need to discuss." Charles turned toward him. "Richard, not here." My father ignored him. "Camille's return creates a problem with the agreement." Julian frowned. "What agreement?" I looked at Charles. His expression changed, and I knew he understood exactly what my father meant. Julian noticed his reaction too. He turned toward his father. "What agreement are you hiding from me?" Charles didn't answer. My father looked at me before speaking. "The agreement that made Livia your wife."