Chapter 47
The young couple wasn’t trying to cause trouble. They just wanted to stand up for their daughter. They weren’t bad people, not really, even if Barnard’s attitude had rubbed them the wrong way. For them, this was all about Davina.
When they heard Camilla wasn’t planning to take Davina’s side, they stopped arguing and agreed to let Camilla take Barnard away. But Barnard refused to leave Davina behind.
Camilla didn’t bother playing nice. She pulled out her phone and looked him square in the eye. “I’ve done what I needed to do. If you really don’t want to leave, then explain things to Dad right here in front of me. Tell him not to call me about this anymore p>
Barnard’s eyebrows knit together, and he stared at Camilla like she was suddenly a stranger. It was like he couldn’t understand how she could be so detached. Still, after a moment, Camilla’s impatience got through to him. He gave in, but not before turning to Davina and trying to reassure her. “Don’t worry, Davina. I’ll find a way to fix this for you. Just wait for me, okay p>
Davina’s eyes were red from crying, and she looked genuinely hurt. She kept glancing at Camilla, maybe hoping for some sympathy, but Camilla didn’t even look her way. Instead, she cut Barnard short, her voice flat and cold. “I need to get to the hospital to be with my mom. Can we move a little faster p>
They finished up the paperwork at the police station, and as soon as they stepped outside, Barnard lost his cool. He stopped Camilla just as she reached for the car door, blocking her with his hand. “Camilla, how can you be so heartless p>
“You know how much Davina has done for me,” he pressed, his words coming in a quick sting. “How can you just turn your back on her? Those people were so aggressive. How could you leave Davina alone like that p>
Every word cut through Camilla’s patience. “Let go.” She didn’t even want to argue; all she wanted was to get back to her mother.
Barnard wouldn’t drop it. He looked at her like she was someone he’d never met, disbelief flickering in his eyes. “Camilla, when did you become so cold p>
“Cold?” Camilla snapped, her voice coming out rough with exhaustion. “My mom is in the ICU because of her. I managed to find time to bail you out—that’s already more than enough. Now you want me to save her, too p>
She shook her head, voice rising, angry and strained. “Sorry, I’m not as generous as you think. Move. I have to get to the hospital p>
Her words seemed to finally land. Barnard hesitated, his hand dropping from the car door, but he didn’t leave. Instead, he climbed into the passenger seat, acting like he was coming with her to the hospital whether she liked it or not.
When they reached the hospital, Camilla found out Elise’s surgery was over, but her mother was still unconscious and would have to stay in the ICU for observation.
Barnard lingered by her side, trying to be supportive. “Don’t worry, Camilla. I got your mom the best doctors. She’ll wake up soon, you’ll see p>
Camilla could barely keep the sarcasm from her voice. “So just because my mom has a great medical team, you figure you can just show up and upset her like there’ll be no consequences?” Every time Barnard spoke, it just made her angrier.
No matter if it was the little girl who got burned or her mom lying in a hospital bed, both were there because of Davina. Yet Barnard still hadn’t said a word blaming Davina for any of it. It was like he honestly believed Davina had done nothing wrong.
“It’s not what you think,” Barnard tried explaining. “Davina only meant well. She made soup for your mother and came to the hospital to help out. That couple showing up was the real accident. Davina was a victim too. You can’t put this all on her p>
For a second, Camilla felt dizzy with anger. He just twisted everything around so that Davina looked like the one who’d been hurt the most. Somehow, the person who caused all this was suddenly the one getting all the sympathy.
Never mind who showed up unexpectedly. Even before that, Davina shouldn’t have been at the hospital with her soup. To Camilla it all just felt wrong, and definitely not innocent.
Camilla sat down heavily on one of the benches in the hallway. She didn’t respond—honestly, she was done listening. But Barnard kept going, his voice gentle, as if by repeating himself enough times, she might finally agree that Davina was blameless.
Eventually, Camilla had had enough. “Dad’s probably waiting for you. Since you’re out, why not go see him at The Carter Estate p>
Barnard paused, like he finally remembered something he’d forgotten. “Don’t wear yourself out, okay? Let me ask Aaron to bring you something to eat. I’ll come see you later tonight p>
She stayed at the hospital until it was dark, but her mother never woke up. In the end, she had no choice but to go home.
She’d been sure Jasper would be annoyed she was so late, but as soon as she walked in, she was greeted by laughter echoing down the hall.
Susan was in the kitchen. When she saw Camilla, she offered a quick explanation. “Camilla, a Mr. Charles came by today. He’s hanging out in Jasper’s room with him right now. Jasper seems to like him a lot p>
Lance? Camilla called back softly, thinking for a moment. She went straight to Jasper’s room and opened the door.
There was Lance, sitting with Jasper and coloring. His long fingers held a bright colored pencil as he drew with a focused seriousness that somehow didn’t match the cool, effortless vibe he usually gave off.