Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
The man looked just over forty. He was tall, sharp-featured, and dressed to impress in a crisp white shirt, black slacks, and polished dress shoes.
He carried himself with quiet authority, but his warm smile softened everything. Cameron figured he had to be Levi, her father.
Standing next to him was a beautiful, elegant woman in her forties. Her classic, graceful beauty drew attention without trying.
But at that moment, her eyes were brimming with tears as she looked at Cameron. So, she was Jacqueline, her mother. They were her biological parents.
Cameron stood there, just looking back at them, not knowing what to say for a moment.
Lance said, “Cameron, you’re here. Let me introduce everyone. This is Dad, and this is Mom.”
Cameron gave them a small, polite nod, but it was clear that she was feeling awkward right now.
“Cam…” Jacqueline called out, her eyes brimming with tears as she walked toward Cameron. She wanted to hug Cameron, but held herself back, afraid Cameron might not like it.
Her tears just kept falling, no matter how hard she tried to stop them.
Cameron and Lance really did look alike. When they stood side by side, it was obvious to anyone that they were siblings.
“Honey,” Levi said softly, reaching out to steady his wife. He looked just as emotional, but was doing a better job of keeping it together. “Cam, your mom’s just really happy to see you.”
Cameron pressed her lips together. She didn’t know what to say, and the moment grew heavy.
Lance quickly spoke up. “Let’s not just stand in the doorway. Why don’t we head to the restaurant?”
Lance had booked a private room, so they walked in together. The door closed behind them, leaving just the four of them inside.
Inside, a large round table filled most of the room, with a small lounge area off to the side. Lance pointed to the sofas. “Let’s sit over here and chat for a bit.”
Cameron sat on a single armchair, while Lance sat across from her, and their parents settled onto the couch closest to her.
From the moment Cameron arrived at the hotel, her parents hadn’t taken their eyes off her. Cameron had never felt so out of place before.
The three people in front of her were her family, the people she was closest to in this world. But this was their very first meeting, and Cameron had no idea what to say. But honestly, she didn’t even need to start a conversation.
Tears streamed down Jacqueline’s face. “Cam, I’m so sorry. I should’ve protected you back then. You’ve suffered so much all these years.”
Cameron looked up at her mom. Seeing how upset her mom was, Cameron felt awful too. She said, “It’s not your fault. You don’t have to blame yourself for it.”
Jacqueline shook her head. “Cam, it’s my fault that I failed to protect you.”
Lance agreed with Cameron. “Mom, it really wasn’t your fault back then. You don’t have to take all the blame.”
Levi gently patted Jacqueline on the back. “Honey, this really isn’t your fault. You don’t have to feel so guilty about it. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me! didn’t protect you or Cam well enough.”
Cameron, for a moment, had no idea what to say, and the same went for Lance.
Lance said, “Mom, Dad, now’s not the time to argue about whose fault it is. The important thing is, Cameron is still here, safe and sound.”
Cameron bit her lip in silence, not knowing what to say.
Hearing that, Jacqueline slowly composed herself and stopped crying eventually. “You’re right. The fact that Cam is still alive and healthy is the greatest blessing to our family.”
With reddened eyes, she turned to Cameron. “Cam, I’m really happy you agreed to meet us. Thank you. Oh, and I got you a little something.”
Just as she was about to retrieve the gift, Cameron asked, “Didn’t you already give me the family’s crest brooch last night?”
Jacqueline paused, then smiled. “I did. But compared to the gifts from your dad and your brothers, it felt a little plain, so I got you something else.”
Levi chuckled and said, “You have no idea. Your mom wants to give you the best of everything in the world.”
Cameron looked down, unable to find the right words to describe her feelings. She could already feel how deeply her parents cared about her.
She thought, ‘Brad had been right. Just by being their biological daughter, I didn’t have to do anything to earn their love.’
Although Cameron felt their love for her, she didn’t know how to return that love. She couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Is this affection just a passing thing, or would it really last?’
No one could say for sure.
“Cam.” Seeing Cameron stay silent, Jacqueline asked, “Are you pressured by the things I did? I just… I just want to make it up to you, that’s all.”
She spoke so carefully, as though afraid that one wrong move would push Cameron away.
Watching from the side, Lance found it almost surreal. Jacqueline had always been graceful and composed. He’d never seen her this nervous or lower herself like this for anyone.
Levi added, “Cam, if you have anything on your mind, just tell us. We’re your family, so you don’t have to hold back.”
Surely, Levi could tell Cameron was uneasy, and he understood why. This was their first real meeting in 18 years, and at her age, she was still just a kid.
Finally, Cameron spoke up softly. “I… I’m just not used to it.” She’d gotten used to being treated coldly by her adoptive parents, so this sudden affection really was hard for her to handle.
As soon as she said that, her parents let out a sigh of relief. They’d been so worried that they’d mess things up and make Cameron dislike them.
Lance said, “Cameron, once you return to the Yates family, you’ll get used to it, little by little.”
Lance was certain their parents would probably shower Cameron with everything they could once Cameron moved back in to make it up to her.
Cameron glanced at Lance but stayed quiet. She could feel just how much her parents cared about her. But when it came to moving back and staying with the Yates family, she honestly wasn’t sure.
The entire time, Jacqueline kept a close eye on Cameron’s expression. Seeing no response, she figured Cameron was still a little hesitant. But tha okay, as this was already a huge step forward. At least they’d finally met.
Jacqueline quickly shifted the mood with a gentle smile. “It’s already lunchtime. Let’s order something and talk while we eat. Cam, is there anything you’re in the mood for?”
Lance added, “This hotel’s great, they have all kinds of dishes.”
“Cam, here’s the menu.” Levi smiled and handed the menu to Cameron.
Cameron glanced at it, then slid it back to Jacqueline. “You can go ahead and order.” She figured it was better to let the elders choose.
Jacqueline looked slightly nervous, as she didn’t know what type of food Cameron liked.
“I’m not a picky eater,” Cameron said.
Jacqueline’s face lit up. “Cam, do you eat spicy food?”
Cameron nodded. “I do.”
Jacqueline smiled again. “What kind of dishes do you usually like?”
Cameron thought for a moment. “Honestly, I really don’t mind anything. You can just order anything you want.”
Jacqueline was rendered speechless. After all, it can be tough ordering food for a group of people sometimes.
So, Levi took the menu, read out the names of a few dishes, and asked Cameron, “How about these?”
Cameron nodded. “Yeah, I’m good.”
At her response, Jacqueline and Levi quietly breathed a breath of relief. Lance took the menu next and added a few more dishes to the list.
Then Jacqueline turned back to Cameron with a warm smile. “Cam, school’s starting soon, isn’t it?”
Cameron nodded. “Yeah.”
Jacqueline asked, “What major did you pick? Can you tell me about it?”
“Pharmacology,” Cameron replied.
Levi asked, “Pharmacology? Are you planning to work in that field?”
Cameron nodded. “Yeah.”
Levi and Jacqueline exchanged a quick glance. Cameron didn’t seem like much of a talker-or maybe she just didn’t feel ready to open up yet. Either way, a brief, awkward pause filled the air.
Lance broke the silence. “Mom, Dad, aren’t you going to tell Cameron more about our family?”
Levi looked at him. “You didn’t tell her?”
Lance said, “I just gave her a quick rundown.”
Jacqueline smiled. “Let me tell you then, Cam.” With that, she started chatting away.
The Yates family moved to the island 18 years ago, back when it was nothing more than a stretch of empty land. Over time, they transformed it into a thriving little city.
Now, the island had everything one would expect-schools, hospitals, amusement parks, shops, and supermarkets.
Today, it was home to hundreds of thousands of people, and nearly everyone worked for the Yates family.
Cameron nodded. “Got it.”
