CHAPTER 91: EMBRACING CHANGE

"Listen, Jake, I tried my best to convince her. She…she resisted me of all people." Jake leaned back in his office chair, his phone in his hand. His face was almost as red as a tomato, and he gritted his teeth. His free hand folded into knuckles, nearly turning white. "Jake," Camilla called him again, trying to get his distant gaze to focus on him. Jake's gaze flitted towards him, his eyes glittering with tears. Then he shook his head and sat up, finally opening his mouth, making a failed attempt to stop his voice from shaking. “I called her last night,” he began. And you know what she told me?” Camilla shook her head, then raised a hand. “Don’t tell me.” “Family comes first, but she had paid her dues.” Jake ignored her. “At least, I’ll get to feel what it means to be forced…” He trailed off, leaning back and struggling to control himself. “…forced to do one’s bidding.” "Jake, it's alright. You don't have to beat yourself about this." Camilla approached one of the visitor's chair