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T h u r s d a y, 11/4/19

Dear Diary,

"C-Camden?" I stuttered. "W-what...?" Quickly, I pulled away from his grasp and backed away a few paces.

Camden narrowed his deep, hazel eyes at me as a look of concern flashed across his face. "Jo," he dipped his dark, curly head towards me in acknowledgment. "What the hell happened to your face?"

"M-my face...?" one of my hands flew up to gently probe the bruised area. "Oh. Right. This is nothing."

"Nothing?" Camden raised his eyebrows at me. "Jo, someone hit you! Are you alright?"

Taken aback, all I could do was nod before Camden continued, in a softer tone than before, "Jo, if you're in trouble..."

"No!" I hastily cut in. "No. I'm not. I'm fine. I'm sorry. I have to go."

As I tried to walk around Camden, he reached out and stopped me by placing a hand on my waist. Surprised, I looked up at him as he whispered, "Did your father do this to you?"

"What? No! No!" I exclaimed. "He - he's not here. He's out of town. Anyway, he would never raise a hand against me! Not ever! Look, I know you have a personal vendetta against him and for good reason too! But, take my word for it, he's a changed man, okay? He started with nothing and worked hard to get where he is today. I don't care what you have to say on the matter, he's still my father and I still have to respect that, no matter what happened all those years ago..."

As I paused to take a breath, Camden grunted, "Daisy. Daisy told you."

I nodded. "Yes. She did. Don't go off at her about it though. She was only trying to help."

Camden's hand snapped back from where it had been lying on my waist and he turned steely eyes on me. "I know. But that's not her story to tell."

I furrowed my brow. "Your mother was her mother too. I'm sure Daisy misses her just as much."

Camden bit down on his lip and turned away, perhaps to hide the emotion on his face or the stinging tears in his eyes. "She was taken away from us because of your father," he growled through gritted teeth, his back still to me. "I know you're not from around here and I know that you haven't seen him in a while but, like you said, he's still your father and you're still a Marsden." Turning back to face me, he snapped sarcastically, "If my Dad saw us talking, he'd kill me. I guess I have to respect that though, don't I? Excuse me but I have to go."

Spinning around, Camden stuffed his hands in his pockets, bowed his head and exited the building.

I groaned.

Great.

I always messed things up when it came to Camden.

But did I really believe what I had told him? Did I really respect my father in spite of what he had done?

I didn't know.

After ordering a ham and cheese roll and an orange soda, I left the diner and wandered down to the beach. Settling myself on the soft, warm sand, I checked my phone to see a string of text messages from Andrea and Tiffany.

A n d r e a: I'm so sorry for what happened before, sweetie, I didn't mean to hit you. It was just a reaction. I hope you can forgive me.

T i f f a n y: Where are you? The new maid's here and none of us know where the keys for the under-the-stairs basement is!

A n d r e a: Can you please come home? We need you here. I can't leave until you come back.

T i f f a n y: So, I'm ordering another silk dress from India. Do you know your father's email address?

I rolled my eyes and stuffed the device back into my pocket.

Half an hour later, I made my way, reluctantly and slowly, back to the house. As I slipped through the front door, I was surprised to see Spencer standing in the hallway.

"Spence?" I queried. "What are you doing here?"

Spencer turned to face me, her eyes flashing fire. "Luna came to me and Daddy for help," she retorted. "We're giving her a bed for the night and possibly a job as well. She told me that you were in trouble, that Andrea hit you..." her voice trailed off when she noticed the bruised welt on my face. "Oh my god, Jo!"

I shrugged. "Never mind about that now. The private investigator. Did you get one?"

Spencer nodded. "Yes. I'm meeting him in town tomorrow and I'm bringing all the evidence we've uncovered so far with me. Do you want to come?"

"Ah. I'd love too but Daisy has another surfing lesson with Rick tomorrow and I feel like I shouldn't abandon them," I nibbled on my lower lip. "Otherwise, yes, I would most definitely come. Tell me how it goes though, aye?" Looking over Spencer's shoulder, I scanned the perimeter, confused. "Where are the Barbies?"

"They left after I rocked up," Spencer huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "They had a so-called 'appointment' in the city that they had to go too. Don't worry, the new maid's setting up and stuff so you won't be alone in this big ass house. But I didn't come here to exchange small-talk."

I raised my eyebrows at her. "Yeah?"

"I - er - I kinda borrowed one of my father's small pieces of precious electronic equipment and..."

"And? Spencer, what did you do?"

"I bugged Tiffany with it just now," Spencer confessed. "We will be able to hear everything that goes on concerning her. I have a strange feeling that this 'appointment' is not just a medical routine check-up."

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