Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Austin blinked. “Wait-you found your biological family?”
She nodded again. “Yeah.”
Austin’s face lit up. “Cam, that’s incredible. I’m really happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
But her tone wasn’t particularly joyful.
Something in her expression made him pause. She didn’t look… thrilled. Just quiet.
“I’m gonna use the restroom real quick,” Cameron said. “Make yourself comfortable.”
“Of course,” Austin said. “Take your time.”
Before she left the living room, she picked up the envelope from the coffee table and took it with her.
Once in her room, she used the restroom. But as she walked out, she found herself reaching for the second envelope sitting on her nightstand.
She opened it.
Inside was a letter, Jacqueline’s handwriting.
[Cam, If you’re reading this, I hope this letter finds you well. I’m your mother. I’ve been a terribly absent one-because until last night, I didn’t even know you were alive.]
[I’m sorry. I failed to protect you all those years ago. I wasn’t strong enough to stop them. That’s how you were taken from me, how we were separated for eighteen years.]
[Lance told me what you’ve been through. I know you’ve suffered. That thought breaks my heart. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. It was my weakness that allowed so much harm to come your way.]
[Cam, I know you’re not ready to come to Yates Manor. That’s okay. We’re not here to pressure you. We just want you to be healthy, and safe. And I want you to always remember-Yates Manor is your home. You are always welcome there.]
[Lance told me you got a perfect score on your SATS. Cam, you’re amazing. I’m so proud of you. I’ll be waiting-no matter how long it takes-for the day we can finally meet, truly meet. With all my love, Mom]
Cameron read the letter in silence, her expression unreadable,
Mom.
It was a word she’d once longed to say-to Heidi, to anyone. She’d begged for a scrap of affection, but all she’d ever gotten was empty, calculated warmth.
Yet this thin piece of paper, written by someone she’d never even met, somehow carried a weight of genuine care..’Could someone truly care this much for me just because of a DNA report?’
Her once-steadfast decision not to reconnect… wavered, just slightly.
She opened the second letter. This one was from Levi.
[Cam, I’m your father. I’m sorry I failed to protect you. I let someone take you from us, and I won’t forgive myself for that. But you don’t have to worry now. I promise-I’ll make sure those two pay for what they did to you.]
[I want you to come home. To Yates Manor. Whatever you missed, whatever you lost-I’ll give it all back. Dad]
The handwriting was bold, almost severe, the words direct and clipped.
But Cameron could feel the weight behind each one.
These past few months, she’d felt genuine care from the people around her-her friends in Room 316.
But friendship and family weren’t the same. Not even close.
Cameron stared at the two thin sheets of paper in her hands, unsure how to process the emotions stirring in her chest.
The letters were from her biological parents.
They wanted her back. They hoped she’d come home.
‘So… should I?’
She hadn’t figured out the answer when a knock came at the door.
“Cam, are you okay?” Austin’s voice carried through the door, tinged with concern.
She’d said she was just going to the restroom, but she’d been gone a while. Austin was starting to worry.
Cameron blinked, pulled herself out of her thoughts, and replied, “I’m fine.”
She slipped the letters back into their envelope and tucked them away in the drawer before going to open the door.
When Austin saw her, visibly unharmed, he let out a breath. “Cam…”
They returned to the living room, and Cameron curled up on the couch, hugging a pillow to her chest.
Austin asked, “So, when did you find your family? You never mentioned anything.”
“Just recently,” she said.
Her answer was short. It wasn’t hard for Austin to notice she wasn’t in the mood to talk about it.
So he pivoted. “You’ve been working with Eli a lot lately, right?”
“Yeah,” Cameron nodded.
Austin smiled. “Cam, have you given any more thought to what I said? Come work at Fraser Group. I’ll give you shares.”
Cameron shook her head again, polite but firm. “Austin, I didn’t earn it. But thank you.”
“Cam, come on,” he said with a grin. “We’re friends. You’re like my closest brother. What’s mine is yours. You don’t. to be so distant.”
Cameron replied evenly, “Austin, don’t push. I want to build something for myself. That matters to me.”
Austin laughed softly. “Alright, Cam. I won’t push.”
He looked at her for a long moment, smiling as if he couldn’t help it.
‘Of course this is my Cam-steady, grounded, unwavering. Anyone else would’ve been overwhelmed with joy. After all, it’s not every day someone offers you a golden parachute.’
They were still talking when the doorbell rang again.
Cameron didn’t move. She was perfectly comfortable on the couch.
“Austin, would you mind getting that for me?”
“Sure,” he said, heading to the door. As he pulled it open, he froze slightly at the sight of the person standing outside.
A young man, probably eighteen, but dressed in a crisp white shirt and tailored suit. Thin-rimmed gold glasses sat on the bridge of his nose, and he wea, Jun GB carried himself with the poised air of someone ten years older. Bradley
Next to him, Austin suddenly felt… immature.
But then again, he was the head of the Fraser Group. He had wealth, power, influence-nothing to feel insecure about.
“You here to see Cam too?” Austin asked.
Bradley adjusted his glasses. “You’re here already.”
“Yeah,” Austin said, smiling. “Just came to catch up. What about you?”
He didn’t step aside. Not yet.
Bradley looked him straight in the eye. “Mind if I come in first?”
Austin hesitated a beat and then stepped back. “Of course.”.Bradley walked past him into the apartment, completely ignoring the earlier question.
Austin’s smile faltered.
He closed the door and followed.
“Brad, you’re here,” Cameron greeted him with a small nod.
Bradley set a cup of iced milkshake down in front of her. “Saw the line on my way back from work. Figured it must be good.”
It was summer, and by default, all the shops were serving their drinks cold.
But Cameron couldn’t drink cold anything today-not in her current condition.
Still, she smiled. “Thanks, Brad.”
“No need,” he said simply.
Austin said nothing.
He stared at Cameron’s expression-the small, relaxed smile she hadn’t shown him once all evening.
