Chapter 121
“What? Are you actually saying you think Jasper might not be Barnard’s real son?” Dahlia couldn’t help blurting out the second Camilla finished her story.
The DNA test report Camilla brought was right there on the table. Black and white. It said Barnard and Jasper were father and son. All the evidence seemed to point one way, and maybe Camilla really was just imagining things, but no matter what, she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at her.
Dahlia leaned forward. “Camilla, isn’t it possible you’re overthinking it? You did the test, everything came back normal. What if Daisy was just saying things to upset Jasper? You know how kids are. The Carter family always treats Jasper like their own grandson. If he wasn’t really Barnard’s, why would Barnard raise him all these years? Why would his parents dote on him? It just doesn’t add up p>
“I want to believe it’s all in my head,” Camilla said quietly. “But something just doesn’t feel right. Right after the test, I bumped into my mom at the hospital. Then her doctor suddenly wanted to change her treatment plan. When I got home, Mom was asleep and… I think someone messed with my bag. I can’t explain it, but p>
“You mean Magee, right?” Dahlia replied, nodding slowly. “That would make sense. The Adams family has their connections everywhere, and Magee grew up with Barnard. Magee even arranged Elise’s old nurse. But honestly, the idea of Barnard raising another man’s child for so long—that just sounds crazy to me p>
The mention of Magee’s name made something flicker in Dahlia’s eyes, but she still looked skeptical.
Camilla pressed on. “I know it sounds far-fetched, but I have to know. I can’t go another day not knowing what my marriage even is. Dahlia, if Barnard really is keeping tabs on me, there’s no way I’m getting a real answer using a hospital here. I need your help. I’ll get another hair sample from Barnard. Just… take it to a hospital in another city, okay? I need a fresh test, somewhere I can trust p>
Hearing how serious Camilla was, Dahlia didn’t even hesitate. She nodded and agreed.
The next morning, before Camilla was even ready for work, she found Barnard at her door.
It had rained overnight. His hair was damp, his jacket shoulders flecked with drops. He stepped inside and immediately dropped a stack of papers on the table, not even trying to mask his frustration.
“Camilla, what exactly are you doing?” He glared at her, voice thick with anger. “I’ve told you so many times, you can’t believe everything kids say. Daisy says a few things and you run out to get a DNA test? The results are right there. Does that make you happy? Do you even realize what could’ve happened if Magee hadn’t caught the report in time and kept it quiet? If people found out, it’d be a total mess. We’d be the laughingstock of the whole city p>
He didn’t waste a second shifting the blame her way, the DNA report on the table—the same one Camilla brought home yesterday—right there as proof.
Barnard’s angry voice filled the apartment, not caring in the slightest that Susan and Jasper were within earshot.
Jasper looked terrified, clutching the doorway to his room, eyes wide and unsure. Camilla noticed right away. She moved the report aside and glanced at Susan.
“Would you mind taking Jasper out to walk Snow?” she asked softly.
Susan nodded, hurriedly leashed the dog, and left the apartment with Jasper.
With the door shut behind them, only Barnard and Camilla remained. Camilla finally turned to face him. “When you hear a rumor like that, anybody would want to see for themselves. It’s the only way to be sure p>
Barnard stared, jaw tight. “What else do you need? That night was my family’s party. You were my girlfriend—nobody would ever dare cross you there. When you got pregnant with Jasper, I even stood up to my family to marry you. I can’t believe you would still doubt Jasper’s paternity. After everything… it’s honestly heartbreaking p>
He dropped onto the sofa, poured himself some water, looking like he expected Camilla to come over and apologize.
But Camilla just stood there, lost in thought, her eyes searching his face for something she couldn’t even name.
At first, she’d thought maybe she was being paranoid, but now, seeing how quickly Barnard had rushed over, her doubts bubbled back up stronger than ever.
Barnard finally broke the silence, his tone softening. “Camilla, I’m sorry, I was too harsh just now. I guess I just can’t believe that, after everything we’ve been through, you’d doubt me over something Daisy said. That really hurts. But it’s all cleared up now, isn’t it? Can we just stop fighting, please p>
He got up and came over, slipping his arm around her shoulders, trying his best to make peace.
Camilla had regained her calm by then. She nodded lightly. “Anyone would get suspicious if they heard something like that, even if it’s just for a moment p>