Chapter 68 Not Meant to Be, Better to Part Ways
Evening.
The kitchen smelled amazing as Alistair brought out the soup. "Hey, I just learned this new soup recipe. Give it a shot!"
Camilla glanced at the table loaded with all her favorite dishes.
Bella snagged the juiciest piece of fish belly and dropped it in her bowl. "Your dad's not the best at cooking fish, but I gave this one a go, and it's just how you like it. Dig in."
Alistair frowned. "What do you mean I'm not good at cooking fish?"
"Alright, alright," Bella sighed. "Your cooking is top-notch. No matter what dish you make, you've got it down, okay?"
"That's more like it. Just the other day, the neighbor was asking me for tips! With me cooking for you every day, you should feel lucky."
"Okay, okay, I'm lucky. Now eat, or you'll never stop talking!"
"Why do I feel like you're just humoring me? Ask Camilla. Isn't my cooking awesome?"
As he spoke, Alistair gently placed another piece of fish in Camilla's bowl. "Here, Camilla, try my cooking."
Camilla listened to them bicker, a smile tugging at her lips.
She took a bite of the fish, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
In her memory, Bella rarely stepped into the kitchen; Alistair was the one who did the cooking.
Every day after class, Camilla would wait in the office for Alistair to get off work. When it was time, he would ride his bike and take her home.
On the way home, they would pass by the farmers' market, where all the vendors were old pals of Alistair.
Bella, on the other hand, never bought groceries because she didn't know how to pick them.
Her specialties were limited to pan-fried fish and fruit salad.
She only learned because Camilla loved it as a kid.
But Bella's lack of cooking skills didn't stop her from critiquing Alistair's, which only pushed him to get better, eventually becoming very skilled in cooking.
After leaving home, Camilla only had Leopold by her side.
She cooked for Leopold, prepped everything, and waited for him to come home from work, just like Alistair used to do for her.
Now that she was back, she realized she was still the little girl cherished by her parents.
"It's been so long since I had this. I still think Dad's fish is the best I've ever had, even better than any chef's."
Alistair felt both proud and sentimental. "Whenever you want to eat it, I'll make it for you."
Camilla held back her tears and responded with a smile.
After dinner, Bella washed the fruits she bought in the afternoon and cut them into a platter.
Not seeing anyone in the living room, she walked outside and found Alistair and Camilla sitting in the yard.
With the early nightfall, the yard lights seemed dimmer. The charcoal fire in the brazier crackled occasionally, warm and cozy.
Camilla sat nearby, feeling the warmth.
Her face and body occasionally lit by the firelight, Bella brought over the fruit platter. "The strawberries we planted are ripe, fragrant, and sweet. You loved them when you were little. Try some."
The strawberries still had tiny water droplets, and their fragrance was enticing.
She took a bite, her eyes curving with a smile. "Delicious."
Bella saw the smile in Camilla's eyes and remembered how she looked when she came home today. She felt a pang in her heart, grabbed Camilla's hand, and placed it in her warm palm, smoothing her hair and looking at her closely. "You've lost weight."
Camilla, with her mouth full of strawberries, cheeks puffed, shook her head. "Nah, I just weighed myself. I'm heavier than last week. I just look thin. Feel it on my hand."
Camilla pretended to be troubled. "I was even thinking about losing some weight."
Before she could finish, Alistair frowned. "Lose weight for what? You're already so thin. If you lose more, you'll be skin and bones."
Moore people these days were always following weight loss influencers, starving themselves, and even taking diet pills. It gave him a headache.
Camilla's eyes sparkled as she leaned against Bella. "I was just saying."
Bella tapped her head. "Even saying it is not okay. Next time you come back, you'd better gain some weight!"
Camilla smiled. "Got it."
Bella felt Camilla's weight against her and gently combed her long hair with her fingers, finally asking the question she most wanted to ask. "These past few years, have you been doing well?"
Camilla's eyes flickered, and she brushed off the past lightly. "Pretty good."
"And what about him? Didn't he come back with you?"
The question finally came.
Camilla lowered her eyes and spoke softly. "We broke up."
Back then, after Alistair was discharged from the hospital, he once went to Imperial City with Bella, but they were driven away because of Camilia's stubbornness.
Since that day, Alistair had been so angry that he cut ties with her. For six years, they had no contact.
Bringing up the past again, Camilla thought Alistair would blame her. However, in the firelight, Alistair's aged eyes were calm and forgiving.
He only sighed lightly and said, "You were never meant to be. It's better this way."
Camilla choked up again.
Soon, it was Christmas Eve.
Early in the morning, Bella woke her up while she was still in bed. Camilla opened the door in her pajamas, half-asleep, her eyes barely open, and her hair sticking up in a little curl, clearly not fully awake.
"Who said yesterday that would go shopping with me today? Do you know what time it is? Go wash your face, change your clothes, and come down for breakfast."
Bella pushed her back with some disdain.
"It's only seven-thirty," she mumbled, feeling like it was still dark outside.
Bella laughed in exasperation. "Seven-thirty is late for me. Hurry up, or the milk will get cold."
With that, Camilla's sleepiness vanished. She quickly washed her face, brushed her teeth, changed into her going-out clothes, and went downstairs for breakfast.
Breakfast was milk and waffles from a nearby breakfast shop, along with porridge Alistair had made. It smelled delicious.
Camilla sat down and took a bite of the waffle. Not seeing Alistair in the yard or kitchen, she asked, "Where's Dad?"
"The school principal called him in early this morning. He said there were some school matters to discuss. He'll be back later."
As Bella spoke, the phone rang.
She went to the yard to answer it.
The conversation didn't go well because Camilla had never heard Bella sound so agitated and upset.
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