Camilla stood beside Uriel's crib, watching him sleep peacefully.
The rise and fall of his tiny chest finally calmed the storm raging inside her.
A gentle knock sounded on the bedroom door.
Charlie entered.
One look at his face told Camilla everything.
Something was terribly wrong.
"I just finished speaking with the nanny," Charlie said quietly. "It's not what you think."
Camilla remained silent.
"The nanny wasn't aware that Uriel had left the room. She fell asleep in the kitchen after taking some medication. By the time she woke up, he had already crawled out."
Charlie paused before continuing.
"Uriel managed to crawl all the way to the staircase."
Camilla's heart skipped a beat.
"If Mr. Mersace hadn't been outside the house at that exact moment…"
Charlie lowered his voice.
"…Uriel could have fallen down the stairs."
The room became deathly silent.
Camilla's face drained of color.
She slowly lowered her head.
For the first time in a very long while…
She realized she had been wrong.
She had slapped the man who had saved her son.
Embarrassment washed over her, but she refused to let it show.
Without saying another word, she turned and quietly walked to her bedroom.
The following morning…
After dropping Uriel off at a private daycare center, Camilla drove straight to the Mersace Corporation.
News of her arrival spread quickly.
Every employee she encountered greeted her warmly, eager to leave a favorable impression.
Some even bowed respectfully.
Finding the public elevators overcrowded, Camilla walked toward the executive elevator.
"Excuse me, ma'am."
A young woman stepped in front of her.
She looked no older than twenty-five.
Her tailored business suit reflected professionalism, yet the coldness in her eyes suggested something entirely different.
"You can't use this elevator."
Camilla met her gaze calmly.
"I'm the company's executive designer. My responsibilities include architectural and interior design projects. I'm authorized to use this elevator."
The woman shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Miss Pierce, but you're no longer an employee of Mersace Corporation."
Only then did Camilla remember.
The previous night…
She had emailed her resignation letter to Ernest.
"I only need to speak with Mr. Mersace," Camilla said politely.
"I'm afraid that's impossible."
The woman's expression hardened.
"I'll have to ask you to leave."
"I only need a few minutes."
The woman folded her arms.
"Security."
Within seconds, two security officers approached.
"Escort Miss Pierce out of the building."
Camilla frowned.
"Isn't this a little excessive?"
The guards hesitated only briefly before gently taking hold of her arms.
Just as they began leading her away—
"Let her go."
Ernest's commanding voice echoed through the lobby.
The guards immediately released Camilla and stepped back.
She rubbed her wrist before looking toward the woman, whose expression had noticeably changed.
Ernest's sharp gaze swept across everyone present.
"You two."
He pointed at the security officers.
"You're dismissed."
Both men froze.
Their faces turned pale.
They had expected a warning.
Instead, they had lost their jobs.
Ernest then turned toward the young woman.
"Anita."
She lowered her head.
"Return to your office."
"But… Brother Ernest—"
"No."
His voice was calm, yet impossible to challenge.
"And the next time we're in the workplace, address me professionally."
Anita bit her lip.
"Yes… Mr. Mersace."
Only then did Camilla realize why Anita's punishment had been lighter.
She wasn't merely another employee.
She was family.
Ernest shifted his attention back to Camilla.
"Miss Pierce."
He gestured toward the executive elevator.
"Please follow me."
Camilla silently obeyed.
The elevator doors slid open.
Unlike the others in the building, this one required biometric authorization.
Ernest placed his thumb against the scanner.
A soft chime sounded.
"Identity confirmed."
The doors opened.
Camilla stepped inside, curiosity growing with every passing second.
"This elevator," Ernest explained, "is reserved exclusively for members of the Mersace family."
Camilla looked at him in confusion.
"Today," Ernest said with a faint smile, "you're being granted that privilege."
The elevator doors closed quietly as they ascended toward the executive floor, where Manuel was already waiting.