Chapter 148
Barnard came in at that moment, catching Calvin’s last words. He jumped in right away. “No, Dad. That’s my child. And like I said before, I owe Davina. I can’t just turn my back on her p>
“Owe her?” Calvin scoffed. “Really, Barnard? That’s how you repay kindness? Straight into her bed? Camilla’s the one you begged us to let you marry. So what is she to you, huh p>
Barnard looked over at Camilla. She wasn’t meeting his eyes. There was something small and sad in the way she held herself, nothing like the confident woman he was used to seeing. It hit him with a weird, sour ache he didn’t want to admit to.
He couldn’t push himself to say anything truly cruel. He tried to keep it vague. “Of course Camilla is Mrs. Carter. But I’m not giving up Davina’s child. Davina’s on her own now, you sent Daisy away, that child is all she has. I can’t just abandon them p>
Camilla understood that with Barnard looking out for Davina, even Calvin couldn’t do much. Not that it mattered; Davina wasn’t who Camilla was after anyway. This time, she was coming for Barnard.
She spoke in a soft voice. “Dad, if Barnard is going to defend her like this, doesn’t that make things… awkward for me? Maybe I should just p>
“Camilla! No one is taking your place. I promise,” Calvin cut her off. “It’s just a child. It has nothing to do with you. Ignore it. Pretend he doesn’t exist. You…” He trailed off as he noticed Camilla’s shoulders trembling.
Barnard saw it too, and whatever words he was about to say died in his throat.
Suddenly, Calvin grabbed the teacup on the table and hurled it at Barnard. His voice was sharp. “You really don’t get it, do you? One country girl and you turn this house upside down. Jackson, bring me the family whip. I want to see if he’ll change his mind after this p>
Camilla didn’t say a word. She let her head fall on Laura’s shoulder, looking as miserable as possible.
Laura’s eyes flickered with worry, her lips pressing together like she wanted to intervene but didn’t dare. The house could not take any more drama, not with Camilla’s position at risk. Right now, keeping her steady mattered most.
Barnard was going to have to take the punishment.
All Laura could do was look at Calvin and silently beg him to go easy.
Jackson appeared, whip in hand.
Calvin didn’t hesitate. The whip cracked three times in quick succession, each strike landing hard on Barnard’s back. “Are you keeping that child or not?” he yelled.
“I am,” Barnard said, no hesitation at all. Calvin’s face tightened and he swung harder.
Again and again, the whip lashed across Barnard’s back, tearing his shirt, slicing skin. Blood welled up in streaks and began to run down, shockingly red.
Calvin asked again. “You still want to keep that child p>
“I do,” Barnard said, steady as ever. “Dad, he’s my son. Your grandson. Please stop calling him that p>
Barnard’s calm only made Calvin angrier. This time, he didn’t let up or pause. The whip just kept coming. Barnard was shaking, cold sweat slicking his forehead. His hands dug into the floor as he tried to keep himself upright.
Camilla watched it all, feeling a twisted sense of satisfaction. He’d threatened her, called Jasper names, cut her down again and again. And now, look at him. His own child treated as something shameful by the family.
The whip was dripping with blood.
Even as he struggled for breath, Barnard didn’t budge.
Finally, Laura couldn’t take it anymore. She stepped forward, voice pleading and shaky. “Honey, please, that’s enough. If you keep this up, you’ll really hurt him. Give him some time to think it over. Maybe he’ll change his mind on his own p>
Barnard didn’t even look at her. “I meant what I said. Davina’s child is mine. I won’t let anything happen to him p>
Calvin snapped, “You see this? He’s stubborn for her, but you’re the one begging for him p>
Another lash landed, the sound echoing around the hall.
Laura looked helpless. Still, she reached for Camilla’s hand, searching for another way out. “Camilla, please. He’s your husband. If something terrible happens, won’t you feel it too p>
Would she?
Camilla almost laughed. She wished Barnard would be bedridden, if it meant he’d stop bothering her altogether. She just mumbled something vague, saying nothing real.
Barnard spoke up instead. “If taking this beating helps Camilla feel better, then fine, I’ll take it p>
Camilla almost rolled her eyes. Amazing—he got to be the hero for both his women at once. On the outside, she looked lost, biting her lip and keeping silent.
The whipping didn’t stop until Barnard finally collapsed. Laura hurried over in panic, calling desperately for a doctor. Only then, finally, did the chaos slow down.