Camille returned home that evening feeling lighter than she had in months. The evening with Leo and Matthew had been beautiful, a reminder of the deep love and support that surrounded her. She was excited for the life she was building, both for herself and for Noah’s baby. With every day, the sense of purpose she felt for the future only grew stronger.
As she prepared for bed, she allowed herself to dream about the next steps. There was the nursery to finish, and she’d already begun making lists of baby items she would need. Leo and Matthew had promised to help her with every detail, and the thought of creating a home filled with love warmed her heart.
Just as she settled onto the couch with a cup of tea, her phone buzzed unexpectedly. Glancing down, she saw it was an unknown number. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should answer. But something nudged her to pick up, a faint worry that it might be someone important, perhaps an old friend or a connection from her father’s work.
“Hello?” she said cautiously.
For a few seconds, there was only silence on the other end. She was about to hang up when a distorted voice crackled through, sending a chill down her spine.
“Camille?” the voice asked, each word pronounced with eerie precision.
Her breath caught, a shiver running through her. “Yes… this is Camille. Who is this?”
The voice was cold, mechanical, as if it had been altered electronically. “You’ve been busy, haven’t you?” it continued, ignoring her question. “Moving into a new home, preparing for a baby. Quite the life you’re building.”
Her heart raced, panic beginning to bubble up inside her. “I don’t know who you are, but you have no right to speak to me this way. Leave me alone.”
But the voice didn’t stop. “The baby,” it said with a chilling calmness. “You need to remove it.”
Camille froze, the words hitting her like ice. “Excuse me?” she managed to whisper, disbelief mixing with a growing dread. “What are you talking about?”
The voice was quiet for a moment, as if savoring her reaction. “This is your only warning. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll end this pregnancy. Noah’s child isn’t meant to be born.”
A wave of anger surged through her, cutting through the fear. “Whoever you are, you don’t know anything about me or this baby,” she said, her voice shaking but resolute. “Noah’s child is a part of him—a part of the future he wanted. I would never do what you’re asking.”
The voice let out a low, mocking laugh. “You’re naive, Camille. This child will bring nothing but trouble. Think about the people he crossed, the secrets he uncovered. They don’t want another Laurent in this world.”
Camille’s grip tightened on her phone, her anger hardening into resolve. “I don’t care who you are or what you think you know. This child is my family, and I will protect them with everything I have.”
The voice paused, seeming almost amused by her defiance. “You’ve made your choice, then,” it said coldly. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Before she could respond, the line went dead, leaving her sitting in stunned silence, her hands trembling as she lowered the phone. She stared at the screen, her mind racing. Who could have known about her pregnancy? Who would go to such lengths to threaten her and her unborn child?
The fear lingered, heavy and suffocating. But as she sat there, a fierce determination began to grow within her. She would not be intimidated. She would protect her child, just as Noah would have protected them both.
She reached for her phone again and quickly dialed Leo’s number. He picked up on the second ring, his voice warm and familiar.
“Hey, Camille. Did you forget something?”
“Leo,” she whispered, trying to steady her voice. “I… I just got a call. Someone threatened me. They told me I had to end the pregnancy.”
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end, followed by silence as he processed her words. Then, his voice turned deadly serious. “Camille, are you okay? Where are you right now?”
“I’m at home,” she replied, her voice unsteady. “I don’t know who it was. The voice was distorted… it didn’t sound real.”
“Stay there,” Leo said firmly. “I’m coming over right now. I’ll call Matthew on the way. We’ll figure this out together.”
She nodded, though he couldn’t see her, feeling a rush of relief at the thought of them being by her side. “Thank you, Leo.”
“Don’t thank me,” he replied, his voice softening. “Just stay safe. We’ll be there soon.”
Within minutes, Leo and Matthew arrived at her doorstep. They wasted no time wrapping her in a comforting hug, their presence instantly calming her frayed nerves. They guided her to the couch, their eyes filled with concern as she recounted the call in more detail.
Matthew’s jaw clenched as he listened, his protective nature flaring. “Whoever this is, they’re trying to scare you. They know that Noah’s baby is a threat to whatever secrets they’re still trying to protect.”
Leo leaned forward, his gaze fierce. “This isn’t the first time we’ve dealt with threats, Camille. We’ll keep you and the baby safe. No one’s going to touch either of you.”
Camille felt a surge of gratitude and relief, but the fear still lingered. “But what if they come back? What if they don’t stop?”
Matthew reached out, taking her hand in his. “Then we’ll face them together. You’re not alone in this, Camille. You have us.”
Leo nodded, his expression filled with determination. “We’ll set up extra security around the house. No one’s getting anywhere near you without us knowing.”
The reassurance in their words calmed her, and she felt herself exhale a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She looked between them, her heart swelling with appreciation. “I don’t know what I’d do without you two,” she whispered.
They both smiled, their expressions softening. Leo gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Well, lucky for you, you’ll never have to find out.”
Matthew looked around the house, as if already planning ways to make it more secure. “We’ll stay tonight, just in case. And tomorrow, we’ll take extra steps to make sure this place is as safe as it can be.”
Camille nodded, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. “Thank you,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you both.”
Leo chuckled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You didn’t have to do anything. We’re here because we care about you—and this little one,” he added, glancing at her growing belly.
Matthew nodded in agreement, his eyes warm and reassuring. “Noah would have done the same for any of us. Now it’s our turn to be here for you.”