The Waitress With a PhD Who Silenced a Arrogant And Rude Billionaire
Chapter 23
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"Thank you for coming," Theodore said finally."You have 29 minutes left."He flinched, but nodded. "Fair enough. I'll be direct: I'm sorry. For everything. For every insult, every cruel word, every moment I made you feel less than. I was wrong. Deeply, inexcusably wrong."Camille studied his face, looking for signs of manipulation, but he seemed sincere. "Why did you do it?""Honestly? Because I could. Because you didn't fight back, and that made it easy." He ran a hand through his hair. "No, that's not quite right. I did it because I'm miserable, and miserable people hurt others. It's not an excuse, just an explanation.""You're rich, successful, powerful. How are you miserable?"Theodore laughed, but there was no humor in it. "I have money. I don't have much else: no real friends, no family that speaks to me, no purpose beyond making more money. I'm 42 years old, and I've spent my entire adult life building an empire that means nothing.""That's not my fault.""No, it's not. But you were an easy target: someone I could feel superior to, which is pathetic because you're clearly more intelligent, more educated, and more fundamentally decent than I could ever be." He met her eyes. "You humbled me on Sunday. You showed me what I've become, and I hated what I saw."The waiter brought Theodore's coffee. He wrapped his hands around the cup, but didn't drink."I looked you up," he continued, "after I got home. Found your academic papers online. Your research on language evolution is brilliant. You were presenting at international conferences at 25. Professors at the Sorbonne wrote you recommendation letters calling you one of the most promising scholars they'd seen."Camille felt exposed, like he'd peered into a private part of her soul. "That was a long time ago.""Three years. You're what, 28 now?""29.""You had to leave because of your mother's illness. I found that out, too. You've been supporting her, paying for medications, working double shifts." His voice cracked slightly. "And I spent weeks tearing you down for it. For being loyal and loving and self-sacrificing."Camille's throat tightened. "Why are you telling me this?""Because I want you to know that I see you. Really see you. Not as a waitress or a servant or any of the horrible things I called youโas a person. A remarkable person who deserves so much better than what life and I have given you."They sat in silence for a moment. Outside, people walked past the window going about their lives; the city moved on, indifferent to their conversation."I lost myself," Theodore said quietly. "Somewhere along the way, I became this person I don't recognize: this cruel, arrogant, empty person. And I don't know how to get back.""That's not my problem to solve," Camille said.