The Shells We Shared, Now Washed Away

Camille's POV

On our third anniversary, Kemp Stokes transferred a dollar to me while sending 72,500 to his first love.

When I didn't accept the money, he turned the tables and accused me of being materialistic.

“I sent money to Wendy because I don’t want her to struggle, not because I still have feelings for her,” he said coldly. “You’ve already got help from my mom. Haven’t I provided enough for you? Do you really need more? This was supposed to be your final test. If you passed, we’d get married. But you really let me down.”

As such, I broke up with him on the spot.

But he didn’t hesitate. He just turned around and proposed to his first love.

Five years later, we ran into each other at a luxury hotel in the USA.

His company was about to go public. He looked every bit the successful CEO, with Wendy Alexander on his arm, dressed in custom couture and radiating elegance.

He frowned the moment he saw me, mud-stained, rummaging through a trash bin.

“Camille, you thought a dollar wasn’t enough back then. But now you’re digging through trash cans and still can’t find that much, can you?” he sneered. “Let me tell you, even if you’ve fallen this low, playing the pity card won’t work on me. I’m not taking you back.”

Despite his mocking, I didn’t bother responding.

What mattered to me was to find my son’s prized seashell he had found by the sea, which had been thrown away by his father. He was now crying, so I had to find it.

——

In the hotel lobby, Kemp and Wendy walked in gracefully, arms linked.

His tailored suit emphasized his tall, confident posture. Every gesture radiated the ease of a man in control.

People quickly recognized him and gathered around with polite smiles and compliments.

“Mr. Stokes, I didn’t expect to see you at the finance summit! Taking your company public in just five years is truly remarkable!”

“You’re here to meet the investor, too, right?”

Kemp nodded slightly, and the crowd immediately understood. Almost everyone there had come for that same investor.

Some eyes turned toward Wendy, smiling flatteringly. “This must be your wife? What a perfect match you two make!”

Wendy leaned in closer to Kemp, smiling sweetly.

“We’re not married yet,” she said gently. “But we’re planning the wedding after the company goes public. Hope you’ll all be there.”

Kemp’s expression froze for a second before he forced a smile. “We’re both focused on our careers right now. Anyway, we already know we’re meant for each other. A marriage can wait.”

More congratulations followed after that.

But I was surprised that they still weren’t married.

After our breakup, he’d proposed to Wendy almost immediately, and not long after, they made their engagement public. He’d loved her so much. Shouldn’t they have been married by now? And his mother had been desperate for a grandchild back then.

Just then, a hotel staff member walked over with a stern expression and said, “Ma’am, this is a five-star resort hotel. Not just anyone can wander in here.”

He then gave me a once-over, his disdain completely unfiltered, and added, “And digging through trash bins is strictly prohibited. Please leave immediately.”

I had just come back from the beach with my son, so my clothes were still muddy and my hair a mess. Definitely, I didn’t look like a guest.

Still, I quickly tried to explain. “Sorry, something of mine was accidentally thrown away. Once I find it, I’ll go back to my room. I’ll clean everything up, don't worry.”

But the staffer impatiently interrupted, “Someone dressed like you? There’s no way you’re a guest here. Leave now, or I’ll call the security.”

His voice was loud, drawing curious looks from the people nearby.

Just then, Kemp happened to glance back, and our eyes met.

He froze for a moment and then uttered, “Camille?”

The staffer turned to him, surprised. “Mr. Stokes, you know her?”

Kemp quickly collected himself and said coolly, “I just knew she was once a student my mother used to sponsor, nothing more.”