Chapter 183
When Camilla swept out of the apartment with her bodyguards, it felt like all the air had been sucked out. The place was so quiet, so empty, it almost echoed.
Davina clutched her head, her voice trembling as she grumbled to Barnard, “Barnard, she was horrible. Camilla walked in and went straight for me. Look at my head p>
Barnard didn’t even let her finish. “Didn’t I tell you to leave her alone?” His words came out flat and cold.
Honestly, he hadn’t expected Camilla to go that far. But right now, his own life was a mess, and he couldn’t bring himself to comfort Davina. Part of him thought maybe she needed to learn a lesson.
Still, the thought of Camilla being so determined to divorce him sent another wave of anxiety through his mind. He’d been hoping to keep her calm, maybe even slow things down, but Davina had gone and blown everything up. Now there was no way to put it back together.
Davina’s eyes welled up. “You think I wanted this? You told me that if I gave you a child, you could finally tell Laura and Calvin the truth. But look where we are now—all of them know the truth, and you still haven’t so much as mentioned divorcing her. Whenever it comes to the company, I’m barred at the door, but she gets to waltz in and out. You said you loved me, but you can’t even bring yourself to leave her. I just don’t want our child to grow up being called illegitimate. Is that so wrong p>
Davina used to keep her cool in front of Barnard, never letting herself fall apart like this. But right now, she’d had enough. His attitude had her on edge, and Camilla’s attack had only made her more desperate. All she wanted was some kind of answer, some sign that she mattered. Now that the divorce was a sure thing, Davina wanted Barnard to agree to marry her, right here and now.
Tears mingled with the blood on her face. Her hair was wild, her expression twisted, and all her dignity was gone.
Barnard rubbed at his temples, too tired to even try to be gentle. “You’re impossible. How many times do I have to explain this to you? Camilla means everything to my parents and the board. Divorcing her isn’t some simple thing. All you do is push and push, but have you ever thought about why you can’t take her place? When Camilla and I first got together, nobody wanted her around either. She earned her position step by step. You, on the other hand, I’ve shielded you from everything, and all you do is drag me further into trouble. I spent years laying out my plans, and now you’ve managed to ruin it all. You don’t even realize just how much you’ve messed things up for me p>
His harsh tone made Davina flinch. She shrunk into herself for a moment, then shot back, “It’s just a divorce, isn’t it? How bad could it be? Camilla doesn’t have power or connections. You’re the future head of The Carter Group. Laura and Calvin’s only son. What’s the worst that could happen if you divorce her p>
Hearing her say that so matter-of-factly, Barnard felt his patience snap. He couldn’t even argue with her anymore because she would never understand. Looking at her now, all he felt was irritation. The person he used to remember, kind and soft, always knowing how to calm him—she was gone. Now all he got from Davina was trouble and exhaustion.
Under his stare, Davina fidgeted uncomfortably and tried one more time to get sympathy. “Barnard, my head’s still bleeding. Camilla really hit me hard. What if it leaves a scar? I p>
She hoped he’d take her to see a doctor, or at least show he cared. Barnard barely looked at her. “If it scars, it scars. Anyway, I’m not with you for your looks p>
The words hit Davina like a slap. She stood there, shaking and pale, at a total loss for what to say. She tried to come up with something, anything, that would make him look at her differently, but Barnard was already up and moving.
“I’m going to be busy for a while. I won’t have time for you. I’ll have someone fix the door later. You and Daisy just stay put, don’t leave, and above all, don’t get into any more trouble. We’ll talk about us whenever I get a minute.” He walked out without looking back.
Davina stood rooted to the spot, staring at the door for what felt like forever.
What did he mean, “whenever I get a minute p>
Camilla was already set on getting a divorce, wasn’t she? Yet Barnard still wouldn’t promise her anything. Did that mean the title of Mrs. Carter really was out of reach?
Panic coiled around Davina’s heart. For the first time, she saw it clearly—Barnard’s gentleness was gone. He was further away from her than ever before.
Daisy piped up, “It’s all your fault. You’re just not as smart as Camilla. That’s why Barnard’s so mad at you p>
Already upset, Davina’s patience snapped. Hearing Daisy take Camilla’s side was too much. “Oh, please. Maybe Camilla’s impressive, but she still got played by Barnard, didn’t she? At least I never got fooled p>