Chapter 13: Cam

Contains spoilers

Overview

On moving day, Cam calls her mother, Lillian Ashwood, and endures criticism about abandoning the wedding and losing the financial security planned for Riley. Cam reaffirms her decision to rent Anne Wilson’s house despite Dusty Tucker living on the property, focusing on stability for Riley. With help from Ada and Wes, Cam goes to Graham’s house to collect her belongings, where Graham admits he met someone and could not go through with the marriage; Cam returns his family heirloom ring and proceeds with the move.

Summary

On Monday morning, Cam decides to call her mother, Lillian Ashwood, before starting her moving day. She steels herself on Gus’s sofa bed, having chosen to rent Anne Wilson’s house even after learning Dusty Tucker lives on the property, rationalizing the decision by the affordability, furnished spaces, lease terms, proximity to Gus for Riley, and her belief she can avoid Dusty.

Lillian answers immediately and chastises Cam for leaving the wedding and for ignoring her parents’ calls, weaponizing concerns about Riley. Lillian laments the collapse of the planned marriage between Cam and Graham, which their parents had engineered to cement business contracts between Cam’s father’s bank and Graham’s father’s hedge fund. Cam recounts that she had negotiated an irrevocable trust for Riley that would have been triggered by the marriage, but since the wedding did not happen, that security is lost. When Cam hints Graham failed his part, Lillian dismisses her and vows “damage control” before hanging up.

Cam reflects on the support from Gus and his fiancée, Teddy, and why Gus housed her briefly to keep momentum toward independence. She thanks Gus and confirms logistics: Ada will accompany her; Wes and Brooks will bring a truck for Riley’s furniture. Cam declines to talk to Graham beyond coordinating access, insisting there is nothing left to discuss. She pauses to look in on a sleeping Riley, recommitting to providing a good home.

Outside, Cam meets Ada and Wes; Ada plans the timing so Wes and Brooks arrive after Graham leaves to avoid confrontation. During the drive, Ada presses Cam about Dusty. Cam admits they dated in high school and that Dusty profoundly impacted her, but she avoids details, saying Dusty is a good person and that living near him is about giving Riley the best environment, even if it makes her apprehensive.

They arrive at Graham’s large, new house outside town. Cam reflects that she liked Graham but their arrangement was a mutual convenience shaped by parental pressure, not love. Graham opens the door; Ada tactically steps away. In a brief, tense conversation, Graham apologizes and reveals he met someone, insisting nothing happened but acknowledging he could not marry Cam because he wants real love. Cam understands but notes he should have told her sooner. She removes and returns his heirloom engagement ring and agrees to leave her key under the mat; Graham departs.

Ada reappears, notes the exchange went as well as possible, and urges Cam to start packing. With Graham gone and help on the way, Cam moves forward with clearing her belongings to relocate to Anne Wilson’s house.

Who Appears

  • Cam (Camille) Ashwood
    protagonist; commits to moving into Anne Wilson’s house, calls her mother, processes loss of Riley’s planned trust, confronts Graham, returns the engagement ring.
  • Lillian Ashwood
    Cam’s mother; rebukes Cam over the failed wedding, emphasizes lost family business deals and Riley’s security, promises “damage control.”
  • Gus
    Riley’s father and Cam’s co-parent; hosts Cam, supports logistics, expresses concern for Cam.
  • Teddy
    Gus’s fiancée; supportive presence referenced as helping with Riley.
  • Riley
    Cam and Gus’s daughter; asleep at Gus’s house, central to Cam’s housing and financial decisions.
  • Ada
    Cam’s friend; coordinates the move, shields Cam from confrontation, presses Cam about Dusty, accompanies Cam to Graham’s.
  • Wes
    Ada’s partner; helps with moving and logistics.
  • Brooks
    friend/helper; slated to assist with heavy lifting.
  • Graham
    Cam’s ex-fiancé; admits he met someone and cannot proceed with the marriage, accepts return of heirloom ring, leaves Cam to pack.
  • Anne Wilson
    property owner; not present but central as Cam’s future landlord.
  • Dusty Tucker
    Anne’s groundskeeper/tenant; not present, discussed as Cam’s soon-to-be neighbor and significant figure from Cam’s past.
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