Chapter Five Cameron
Chapter Five
Cameron
Istood at the back, frowning, my eyes fixed on Sloane.
She was clearly avoiding looking at me. Maybe it was for the best. I knew exactly what I’d see if those dark eyes met mine: hatred, disappointment, anger.
And I deserved it.
But that wasn’t what troubled me most.
What truly unsettled me was the way Dr. Gabriel Carver looked at her.
The new surgeon. Orthopedics.
He had barely been introduced—five minutes in, a handshake, a smile—and already his gaze lingered on her like he knew her before.
Every so often, his intense eyes caught hers, and when he smiled, she smiled back, her cheeks flushing slightly.
They were sitting directly across from each other, as if they had chosen those seats on purpose, to exchange silent, meaningful glances.
Why did it bother me?
I had chosen Evie. I was hers now, wholly, outwardly.
Sloane was no longer mine to claim.
But something unnamed stirred in me, and it was sharp, piercing. My head throbbed with a pain I couldn’t make sense of.
Caroline, the Chief of Surgery—and my sister—wrapped up the meeting and leaned toward Robert, the Chief of Internal Medicine, murmuring something before her gaze landed on me. One look, and I knew. Caleb had told her.
The rest of the staff filtered out of the conference room, all in a hurry, as usual, to get back to the crowded hallways and patient rounds.
I was about to follow when Caroline approached me and said, “Cameron, stay. I need to talk to you.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Sloane hesitate, her gaze flicking between us, lips parting like she might say something.
But Caroline, who always seemed to have eyes in the back of her head, glanced over her shoulder and gave Sloane a sharp shake of her head.
She knew. And I knew too. That look on Caroline’s face, like she could barely contain her fury, meant I was in for it.
Sloane gave a slight nod in response and slipped out of the room.
Caroline waited until everyone had left before turning back to me, her voice a hiss. “Explain to me what the fuck is going on with you.”
My response was just as sharp. “Nothing that’s your business, Caroline. You and Caleb need to stay out of it.”
“Of course it’s our business, you asshole. You’re our brother, and it is embarrassing what you did. You’re the youngest, and believe it or not, we prided ourselves on the fact that you grew up to be a good man.”
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. And even though she was seething, this was a good version of Caroline. Her tongue was sharp as a knife, and her temper matched.
“Until this fucking news I heard this morning.” She crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at me. “You told Caleb he didn’t understand because he’s not married. Well, I’ve been married for fifteen years. I have three kids. So tell me—what exactly is it that I don’t know?”
The pain throbbing in my head was getting worse, and all I wanted was not to talk about this, to be somewhere alone. Somewhere no one would question me or look at me like I was despicable. I just wanted silence. I just wanted space.
But I knew there was no escaping Caroline. Maybe Caleb, but not her.
“Sloane and I have drifted apart,” I said. “It’s been years of fighting, pulling away, barely even talking. I can’t be with her anymore.”
When I didn’t continue, she said through gritted teeth, “Go on, tell me. What other excuses do you have?”
“I’ve tried, Car. I’ve tried for years. But after twelve years, I finally realized she never loved me. It was so fucking hard for her to open up, to let me in. She built this wall so high I couldn’t even see over it, let alone climb it. And I’ve had it. I want to move on.”
Caroline folded her arms tighter. “You knew the kind of person Sloane was. You dated her. You married her. And now you’re complaining?
People don’t change, Cam, not at their core.
You can’t reshape someone’s bones and expect them to fit the version you want.
It was up to you to accept her for who she is and adjust accordingly. You chose her. So own that choice.
“Now ask yourself—did you ever really love her? Or just the idea of who you thought she could be?”
“I love Sloane. I still do. But I can’t be with someone if all I feel is anger and pain all the damn time.
You think I never tried? I did, Caroline.
I fucking tried. I tried to understand her.
I tried to accept that she never said she loved me.
That whenever something was bothering her, she’d shut down, pull away, and retreat into herself.
Whenever something was wrong, she wouldn’t talk to me about it.
Instead, I got a cold shoulder. Sometimes for days.
Sometimes for weeks. Until she was ready, on her terms, for us to talk again. ”
“Sloane is a strong woman. Fiercely independent. Her guards wrapped around her like armor, and they always have been. That’s just who she is. You know that. And I respected it. But she needs an even stronger man to handle her. Have you ever thought about that?”
Caroline stepped closer and poked my chest with her finger. “You’re just not strong enough for her.”
“Maybe,” I sighed. “Maybe I’m not. But I’ve been trying, persistently, Car. I tried for twelve years. Isn’t that enough?”
She searched my face, not even trying to hide the disappointment. Then she shook her head slowly. “I just can’t with you, Cameron. You didn’t just break her heart. You broke Mom’s, Caleb’s, and mine. We love her. What you did is despicable. Tell me, who is this other woman you fucked every night?”
Her harsh words scraped down to my bones. I lowered my voice. “Her name is Evie.”
“Where and when did you meet her?” she prodded.
“Things started getting really bad these past three months. I could barely stand being at the house. After we picked up Harper, I dropped them off and went for a drive. I met Evie at the pier. I went there for solitude and silence, a place to think. She was sitting on the other bench on my left. We both had a bottle of beer in our hands.”
I paused, daring myself to meet Caroline’s eyes. Her anger only seemed to grow.
“We talked. Then I came back the next day, and she was there again. One thing led to another.”
Caroline was silent, seemingly at a loss for words.
“One day, I followed her home. And I found myself coming back again and again. That’s how this thing between us started.” I paused and sighed. “I left home about a month ago. I rented a studio near the hospital.”
“So, three months with this woman could erase twelve years of a relationship? Ten years of marriage with Sloane?”
“It’s not erasing, Car. I’m moving on. I want to be happy.”
“And this woman you barely know—she can give you that?”
It took me a few seconds before I replied, “Yes.”
Caroline’s eyes narrowed to a slit. “You don’t sound so sure, Cam. You forget I know you better than that.”
When I didn’t respond, she said, “And now you’re asking for a divorce?”
“It was Sloane who asked for a divorce.”
“Of course,” she chuckled bitterly. “What the fuck did you expect?”
“I’m pursuing this, Car. This relationship with Evie. She cares about me. I’m happy with her.”
“You keep saying you want to be happy.” She shook her head, looking at me as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Go chase that happiness, then. But I’ll tell you something, Cam. In a relationship, happiness isn’t the same with someone you don’t love. And you said you still love Sloane.
This woman, whom you’re determined to replace, won’t be able to fill that void if your heart is still with Sloane.
What you’re doing is stupid, reckless, and childish.
Because this separation wasn’t right, it was cruel and abrupt.
Sloane will always hate you for that. And your Evie will always worry you’re not fully committed.
Remember that, Cam. And one day, you’ll see that I’m right. ”
She paused, taking a steadying breath, clearly struggling to keep from shouting.
“And Harper—God, I feel sorry for that little girl.” She let out a sharp exhale, then tapped my arm. “But don’t worry. Harper will still have her mother, grandmother, uncle, and aunt. She’ll find love in other ways.”
“I’m not leaving Harper,” I said through clenched teeth. “I’m leaving Sloane.”
“Well, I’m not sure that’s any different, Cam. But when Harper starts asking questions, you’d better have the right answers.”
She gave me a hard, unwavering look, shook her head once more, then turned and walked out, leaving me alone with the pounding in my head and a tight twist in my chest.
I stayed there, trying to steady my emotions and collect myself before finally stepping into the hallway, only to find Caroline standing there, staring at something.
I walked closer, and that was when I saw it.
Sloane was talking with the new surgeon, Dr. Gabriel Carver. They stood facing each other. He said something, and she laughed.
He made her laugh.
Caroline glanced at me, then gave a knowing smirk. “I guess I don’t need to worry about her, do I? Look at them. I can even feel their chemistry from here.”
Then she walked away, leaving me still standing there, still staring.
Four surgeries today were successful, even though my head was still throbbing. The medication I took hadn’t eased the pain at all. I was coiled with anxiety, snapping at people who didn’t deserve it, and all I wanted was to go home.
But where the fuck was that now? Home?
Was it the studio where I lived? Evie’s place? Or... was it Sloane’s and mine?
I stepped into the locker room, grateful for the quiet. I didn’t see anybody there. The shift had dragged, and my shoulders ached from standing in the OR most of the day. I peeled off my scrub top and tossed it into the chute, already thinking about the hot shower waiting just a few steps away.
I scrubbed quickly, trying to wash away the weight of the day along with the sweat.
The voices in my head—fragments of conversation, tension, second-guessing—refused to quiet.
I shut off the water, reached for my towel, and stepped out of the cubicle.
The chill of the locker room hit my skin as I sat down in front of my locker.
When I looked up, Gabriel was walking out from the back, a towel slung low around his waist while he dried his head with another. He caught my eye and gave a nod. I returned it, brief and wordless. Just two tired surgeons sharing a quiet moment at the end of a long shift.
I’d decided to ignore him, but then he walked over and spoke.
“Dr. Davis, right? Cameron Davis.” He extended a hand.
I took it without standing.
“Gabriel Carver. Nice to meet you.”
I gave him a short nod. “Welcome to the team.” That was all I offered.
He sat down beside me. “I noticed there are a few Davises around. Caroline, Caleb, Sloane, and you. Are you all related?”
“They’re my siblings.” I paused. “Except Sloane.”
“Oh, she’s not?”
“She’s my wife.”
The words landed with an odd weight. I didn’t feel like I had the right to say it anymore. But we were still married. Just... broken.
Gabriel blinked, looking a little surprised. “Oh. I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah.” I glanced down at my left hand. The ring was still there.
And I knew Sloane wasn’t wearing hers.
I stood and grabbed my clothes from the locker. “I need to get dressed and go home. Long day.”
“All right,” he said as he stood. “See you tomorrow.” Then he turned and walked to his locker.
I let out a slow breath and started getting dressed. It didn’t take long. A few minutes later, I stepped into the hallway, head low, hands in my pockets, the weight of the day settling deeper with every step.
When I finally looked up, Sloane was walking toward the main entrance from the opposite direction, her bag slung over one shoulder, ready to head home too.
We stopped when we reached each other. She studied me for a moment, then asked, “Headache?”
She knew without needing to ask.
“Yeah,” I said with a nod.
“Have you eaten at all today?” she asked, her voice calm and even, as always.
“I had a small lunch,” I replied.
“You need to eat, then retake the medicine. Apply a small drop of peppermint oil to your temples and the back of your neck.”
Peppermint oil. She used to give me that whenever I had a headache.
“Okay...” I said slowly. “I don’t have any right now.”
Sloane’s dark eyes shifted. “Ask her to buy it for you.”
Then she walked past me, and I watched her go. I shook my head, feeling a little off balance, and made my way to the parking lot.
I caught sight of her again just as she was about to get into a taxi. I stood there as the car passed by, and I saw her face through the window, eyes downcast, not even a glance in my direction.
My chest felt heavier as I walked to my car. Just before I got in, I noticed Gabriel standing near the entrance, watching until the taxi made a turn and disappeared.
Then he looked at me.
Of course, he knew. He knew we weren’t going home together.
I sat in my car for a long time, head leaned back against the seat, my thoughts miles away.
Eventually, I pulled my phone from my jacket pocket and stared at the screen.
Then I dialed her number.
Evie picked up after three rings. Honestly, after last night, I wasn’t sure she would.
“Hey, I’m sorry about last night,” I said as I heard her sigh on the other end. “I chose you. You know that, right? I’m with you.”
There was a pause, long enough to stretch tight.
Then she said, “Come over, Cam. I’ll wait for you.”