"Ah—"
Camilla clutched her stomach, her brows furrowing deeply as she sucked in a sharp breath.
"What's wrong, Camilla?"
Sinclair's heart lurched despite already knowing the answer.
He immediately reached out to steady her, his voice laced with concern.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"Yeah, probably just too worked up earlier." "Don't worry, Camilla.
Let Grandpa take a look."
Grandpa Rodriguez had already risen from his seat, hurrying toward her as fast as his legs could carry him.
Camilla watched his limping gait, her heart aching at the sight.
The crease between her brows deepened.
Sinclair had noticed it too when he rescued grandpa.
As grandpa Rodriguez reached her, his thin, aged fingers pressed gently against her wrist, his own brow furrowed in concentration as he checked her pulse.
"The pulse is a bit rapid, but it shouldn't affect the baby.
There shouldn't be any abdominal discomfort..."
He lifted his head, about to ask her to extend her other hand, but she had already turned the tables—her cold fingertips now resting on his bony wrist.
"Grandpa, let me check on you instead.
I won't be at ease otherwise."
At this point, Grandpa Rodriguez understood everything.
He let out a relieved sigh, his face breaking into a helpless yet amused smile.
"You little rascal—"
Then, as if remembering something, he turned his gaze to Sinclair.
"Sinclair, I never expected you'd indulge her like this."
There wasn't a hint of reproach in his tone—only warmth and approval.
The corners of Sinclair's lips curved slightly as he replied with effortless composure,
"My apologies, Grandfather. I've always been a bit of a henpecked husband."
"Hahaha!" Grandpa Rodriguez burst into hearty laughter.
The more he looked at this grandson-in-law he'd personally chosen, the more pleased he became.
This might just be the second-best decision he'd ever made in his life.
As for the first?
His eyes shifted back to Camilla.
But her face showed no trace of amusement—only deep concern.
Outwardly, her grandfather's health seemed fine, but beneath the surface, his body was riddled with hidden injuries.
It didn't take much imagination to guess what kind of torment he must have endured all these years.
Her heart ached, and tears spilled like broken strings of pearls, falling onto Grandpa Rodriguez's weathered palm.
"Grandpa—"
Looking up at his face—still kind but now gaunt and haggard—she barely managed those two words before her voice failed her.
"Camilla, I know," grandpa Rodriguez sighed, withdrawing his hand gently as his warm gaze rested on her.
"You want to ask what they did to me."
Camilla nodded slowly.
Only then could she repay them tenfold in the future.
"There's nothing worth saying.
It's all in the past now," the old man reassured her with a patient, soothing tone.
"Just being able to stand here, whole and well, is more than enough for me."
After all, until today, he hadn't dared hope he would live to see Camilla again.
Understanding both his meaning and his temperament, she didn't press further—only tightened her grip around his frail hand.
"Don't worry, Grandpa.
My medical skills have improved a lot since before," At this point, she paused briefly.
"Of course, I could never compare to you, Grandpa.
But as they say, physicians can't heal themselves," Camilla said, wrapping her arms around the old man's arm and resting her head against him.
Her voice was soft yet resolute.
"I promise I'll take good care of your health and make sure you live a long, long life."
A long, long life.
Something flickered deep in the old man's eyes, but his expression remained unchanged.
"Good."
"Grandfather, Boss, Madam," Aunt Naomi entered from outside with a warm smile.
"Supper is ready."
"Camilla,"
Sinclair spoke up at just the right moment.
"It's getting late.
Let's have something to eat so Grandpa can rest early."
Of course, his suggestion was also because he wanted Camilla to get some rest sooner rather than later.
"You're right, I completely forgot how late it is," Camilla swallowed back the rest of her words, remembering her grandfather's current health condition.
"Grandpa, let's grab a bite to eat and then turn in early."
Grandpa Rodriguez could only nod in agreement, indulging her every whim.
Sinclair's expression softened with affection, though he showed no other emotions.
After all, grandpa had just been rescued and was still physically weak.
By the time he finished the meal with Sinclair and Camilla, his energy was visibly flagging.
Camilla escorted her grandfather back to his room, fussing over him with repeated reminders—until Grandpa Rodriguez feigned impatience, at which point she reluctantly took her leave.
As she opened the door, she found Sinclair waiting for her outside.
"Sweetheart—"
Camilla closed the door and immediately melted into Sinclair's embrace.
Sinclair's strong arms wrapped around her securely, his well-defined fingers gently stroking her back.
They stayed like that for a long, quiet moment.
"I'm so happy—so, so happy.
Really!"
"I know."
Your sorrows are mine, your joys are mine.
Finally relaxed, Camilla felt exhaustion settle over her.
After washing up, she nestled against Sinclair's chest and drifted into sleep.
His soothing touch never ceased as his dark, intense eyes lingered on her with quiet tenderness.
Her delicate, porcelain-like face was faintly flushed from slumber, the soft glow of the lamplight casting a dreamlike radiance over her.
Everything felt perfect.
Sinclair lost track of how long he simply watched her before reluctantly deciding to move.
But the moment he shifted slightly, he realized the hem of his shirt was still clutched tightly in Camilla's small hand.
The corner of Sinclair's lips curved imperceptibly, a flicker of helplessness passing through his deep, obsidian eyes.
After a brief pause, he settled back down, closing his eyes and resting his face against the curve of her neck.
Breathing in her familiar scent, he let it steady his restless heart.
As if sensing something in her sleep, Camilla instinctively snuggled closer to Sinclair's side.
Night faded as dawn broke.
With the return of Grandpa Rodriguez, Camilla made a special effort to rise early and prepare a lavish breakfast spread—nutritious yet delicious.
As usual, Sinclair took care of every little detail to ensure the meal went smoothly for her.
Grandpa Rodriguez watched it all with quiet delight.
"Camilla, look what you've done to poor Sinclair," he teased, feigning disapproval.
"People might think I married you off to repay a debt, but at this rate, they'll assume it was for revenge!"
Sinclair smirked but didn't pause in his tasks.
"Revenge?"
Camilla pretended to be indignant.
"Grandpa, that's just mean!"
From a distance, Sonia—who had been absorbed in studying something—along with the servants present, couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Uncle Carlos and Aunt Naomi were among them.
Just like in the old days, Grandpa Rodriguez hadn't lost his humor or his easygoing charm.
The atmosphere was warm and cheerful.
After breakfast, grandpa Rodriguez excused himself to take a leisurely stroll in the backyard, claiming it would aid digestion.
The others soon followed suit, tactfully leaving Sinclair and Camilla alone.
"Camilla," Sinclair pulled her into his arms, his deep voice laced with quiet affection.
"I have some business to take care of.
Stay here and keep Grandpa company.
If you want to go out, take Luke with you."
Camilla wrapped her arms around his neck, her clear, expressive eyes filled with understanding. "You're going to deal with the Harrison family, aren't you?"
She knew all too well that Sinclair didn't even spare a thought for Andrea, so she didn't bother mentioning the Alger family.
"Mhm," Sinclair replied casually, making no effort to hide the truth.
"The royal family is the real target. I don't have the patience to play games with them."