Fiancé Cheated... So I Took His Rival’s Deal - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

"Relax. You could roll out of bed looking like that and still stop traffic," Jasmin teased, giving Camila a playful nudge.
Camila burst into laughter, pulling Jasmin into another hug, too giddy to care about anything else.
Jasmin could tell—this was real. It had been ages since she'd seen Camila light up like this.
That evening, Camila arrived at the intimate little bistro Brenden had chosen. She'd shown up thirty minutes early on purpose, her stomach fluttering with nerves. She must've checked her reflection a dozen times, terrified of messing up this reunion.
Then, footsteps echoed outside the private dining room. She shot to her feet, and the second the door opened, her eyes locked onto the man walking in.
Her breath hitched. A sudden sting of tears blurred her vision, her voice trembling as she spoke.
Brenden offered a faint smile. "You're early."
"Mr. Moone."
After the quiet greeting, they sat across from each other. But Camila couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes—not when she admired him so much and owed him so much more than an apology.
Brenden, ever perceptive, took a slow sip from his glass before cutting to the chase. "Planning to stare at the table all night?"
Her heart lurched. Swallowing hard, she finally lifted her gaze, her eyes brimming with guilt. "I'm sorry. For throwing away the opportunity you fought so hard to give me."
Three years ago, she'd had a golden ticket—a spot at Aldridge College of Music, secured against all odds because Brenden had believed in her. But then Noel proposed, and she'd bailed, too afraid of a long-distance relationship.
Brenden had boarded that plane without her, disappointment weighing heavy in his chest. After that, radio silence.
She'd assumed that was it—he'd written her off for good. But his call this morning had reignited a hope she thought was long dead.
Brenden poured her a cup of coffee, his smile faint but warm. "No apologies needed. It was your call to make. I respected that. But..." He paused, his usually kind eyes turning sharp. "Tell me—do you regret it now?"
If he'd asked her back then, she would've said no without hesitation. But now?
A bitter laugh escaped her. "Too bad life doesn't come with a rewind button."
Brenden's smirk was knowing. "So the guy wasn't worth it after all."
Camila said nothing. No point denying it.
"Good news—you've got a shot at redemption. Interested?" Brenden leaned forward.
She blinked at him, confused.
"I'm back for a concert tour," he explained. "And I need a violinist. You in?"
Tears welled up instantly. "Mr. Moone, I—" Her voice cracked. She hadn't expected him to still want her.
Performing with Brenden Moone? That wasn't just a dream—it was the kind of break musicians killed for. And here he was, handing it to her like it was nothing.
The rush of emotion was too much. Tears spilled over as the realization hit: he hadn't given up on her. She was still his star student. That validation? It felt better than hitting the jackpot.
"Why the waterworks?" Brenden asked softly, his own voice thick. "You've got talent, kid. Letting it rot would be a damn crime. I couldn't stand watching that happen."
If she'd gone to Aldridge, she'd be a household name by now. That thought still gnawed at him.
Camila hesitated, her fingers tightening around her cup. "But... what if I let you down again?"