Chapter 5
Barnard showed up the next morning by himself. Daisy and Davina were still in the hospital.
As soon as he walked in, he called every staff member to the foyer and started giving orders, basically demanding a top-to-bottom scrub of the whole villa. The chaos that followed was astonishing. Most of the living room furniture ended up outside, and the house turned into a mess of echoing voices and scurrying feet.
Camilla had been upstairs reading with Jasper, trying her best to focus despite the noise. Eventually, she gave up and stepped out to the hallway, right as Barnard was lecturing a group of maids.
“What’s happening?” she asked.
Barnard glanced over. “Daisy isn’t feeling well. The doctor thinks it’s a minor allergy, probably just some dust. This place hasn’t been properly cleaned in ages anyway. While Daisy’s in the hospital, I figured we might as well get it all sorted p>
Apparently, by “sorted,” he meant hauling every bit of furniture out the door.
He barely spared Camilla a few words before turning back to micromanage, making sure the maids paid extra attention to every neglected corner. He looked like he’d dive in and mop the floors himself. Even when Jasper called softly, “Daddy,” from behind him, Barnard didn’t so much as blink.
Watching from the stairs, Camilla couldn’t help but think the whole scene was kind of ridiculous.
Both children had landed in the hospital. When Jasper had his mild concussion, Barnard only visited briefly, said a couple of words, and left. But after Daisy sneezed a few times, he spent the whole night at her bedside and was still fussing over her at home.
He noticed the specks of dust but somehow missed the bandage still wrapped across Jasper’s forehead.
Since Jasper got home from the hospital, Camilla hadn’t heard Barnard check on him even once.
She was just about to speak up when Barnard finally turned her way. “Camilla, Daisy’s having a tough time with those IVs and Davina doesn’t trust any outside food. Could you make her some porridge? Just don’t make it too sweet. I’ll bring it over later p>
Camilla couldn’t hold back anymore. “Barnard, don’t you think you’re focusing a little too much on Daisy? Even more than…” She wanted to say, more than your own son.
Before she could finish, Barnard cut her off. “Camilla, are you upset? I thought I explained, Davina used to take care of me like this too. She’s struggling right now, and Daisy still hasn’t gotten over her father’s passing. I have to be there for them p>
He let out a heavy sigh, then finally looked at Jasper. “I know these past couple of days have been tough for you, Jasper. I promise, when Daisy comes home, I’ll take you to the amusement park p>
He paused for a moment, then added, “Just you. No one else p>
Jasper perked up immediately. All his disappointment melted away as soon as he heard the words “amusement park.” He looked straight at Barnard, eyes wide and bright. “Really? Daddy, you’ll take me for real p>
Barnard nodded, serious as ever.
Seeing how happy Jasper was, Camilla couldn’t bring herself to keep arguing. Instead, she pulled him aside so she could change his bandage.
Davina and Daisy returned the next day, with Barnard personally driving them home.
As soon as they walked in the door, Davina was apologizing, gently holding Daisy’s hand. “Camilla, I never thought Daisy would get sick. I’m so sorry for taking up your and Barnard’s time p>
“It’s fine, as long as Daisy’s alright.” Camilla tried to keep her voice neutral, but she couldn’t quite hide how tense she felt.
Honestly, Davina had never crossed any lines. If anything, she was always too polite, apologizing for even the smallest inconveniences—sometimes for things Camilla didn’t even notice.