Chapter 132
Camilla finally made up her mind. When she stepped out of the bathroom, she leaned against Dahlia’s shoulder and said, “Dahlia, I can’t see a doctor about this. You’re the only one I can really talk to p>
Dahlia could tell how serious this was. Something had to be terribly wrong to shake Camilla this much. She hugged Camilla tight, not waiting for her to say a word.
The envelope with the paternity test was still tucked away in Dahlia’s purse, just where Camilla had asked her to keep it.
As soon as Dahlia heard about what happened with Elise, she caught the first flight back. There was only one thing that could make Camilla break down like this and it was that paternity test.
Even though she’d already guessed most of the story, hearing Camilla explain it out loud sent a wave of anger crashing over Dahlia. She couldn’t help slamming her hand on the table. “Barnard. I used to think he was a decent guy. Now I realize I couldn’t have been more wrong p>
She shook her head, her voice full of disgust. “He’s not even human. Seriously, even animals have more morals than he does. You were still in college, Camilla. You were just a kid, and he was already plotting against you. How could he p>
Now everything made sense to Dahlia. No wonder Camilla was at her breaking point. But the worst part was, there was nothing Dahlia could do except curse Barnard and call him every name she could think of. She felt helpless.
Still, seeing Camilla keep it together after all this, Dahlia thought, was more than she herself would ever manage. In her shoes, Dahlia knew she’d be a mess, probably drowning in self-loathing and regret.
She vented her anger for a long time before realizing, as she looked at Camilla, that her friend’s eyes had cleared. Camilla had pulled herself together.
“So, Camilla, have you thought about what to do next? Are you really going to let him keep you under his thumb, just so he and that old witch can hide behind you p>
Just saying it made Dahlia sick. It was so unfair, knowing how amazing Camilla was. She was stunning, smart, tough—and yet, life had handed her nothing but trouble. First a broken family, forced to carry the weight as a kid. Then she thought she’d found a good man, only to be fooled again.
Worse, Barnard had been so blind he’d built up a worthless woman on a pedestal while sending Camilla out in the storm to protect them both. The more Dahlia thought about it, the more she felt like she couldn’t breathe.
She honestly couldn’t imagine how Camilla might ever get out of this mess.
Camilla just shook her head. “No way. I’m not letting the one who hurt my mother walk away, and I won’t let Barnard get away with using me. He can’t win p>
“So, what are you thinking?” Dahlia pressed.
Camilla’s mouth was set in a hard line. “He thinks he can blackmail me. It won’t work. I’m going to find out who that man was that night. If he’s gone, fine. But if not, I’ll make sure he never gets a chance to talk p>
Right now, the man’s identity was her biggest threat.
Barnard wanted a scandal. He wanted to smear Jasper. Fine. Two could play that game.
If the guy was just some drifter Barnard used and got rid of, that’d actually be better. But if he wasn’t, if he stuck around, then things could get far messier.
All Barnard needed was a paternity test showing the man’s connection to Jasper, or for the guy himself to back up his ugly story. One move and everything could fall apart.
So, of course, Camilla acted like she’d given up, but really she was just biding her time—waiting for the right moment. She had to play Mrs. Carter a little longer until she figured out the truth. And there was no way she’d let Davina have an easy life while she waited.
Her voice was raw, nearly rasping, but her determination came through with every word.
Dahlia watched her, pride behind her worried eyes. That was Camilla, the strongest person she knew. If anyone could survive this, it was her.
“Do you have any suspects yet?” Dahlia asked.
Camilla nodded. “I’m going to start with people close to Barnard. If that man wasn’t someone he could easily get rid of, he has to be someone Barnard trusts. Barnard is trying to throw me off, make the guy seem like a nobody, but I don’t believe a word he says anymore. I can’t p>
She was already turning it over in her mind, thinking about everyone close to Barnard, the friends he always hung out with, and the companies that suddenly got close to the Carters right after the wedding.
It always comes down to shared secrets. That’s how people tighten their bonds.
She simply refused to believe the person who helped Barnard pull this off didn’t leave any clues behind.
Dahlia sighed. “Camilla, I know I’m not as clever as you. I don’t really get all this. But please, if you ever need anything, promise you’ll tell me. We’re best friends. You’re not facing this alone p>
Now that she had a plan, Camilla felt a lot steadier. She agreed, and Dahlia drove her home.