Chapter 142
“No need. As soon as I get the chance, you’ll be the first one I toss aside,” Camilla said.
She tossed that over her shoulder and walked off without looking back, leaving Barnard standing there.
When Camilla stepped out of the hospital, she nearly ran into Davina. Davina looked bundled up for winter, even though it was barely the start of fall. She already wore long pants, long sleeves, and flat shoes—completely different from the flashy, over-the-top way she used to dress whenever she was meeting Barnard.
Camilla gave her a cold look and kept walking, heading straight to her car.
Davina, on the other hand, made her way over to Barnard. “Barnard p>
“You were supposed to be at home resting. What are you doing here?” Barnard cut her off, frustration clear in his voice.
Davina clung to his arm, her expression pitiful and anxious. “I woke up and you weren’t there, Barnard. And I had this dream that you and Camilla were together again. I got scared, so I asked Jackson where you’d gone and p>
She trailed off, her grip on his arm tightening, her tone full of wounded vulnerability.
Barnard just sighed. “Davina, I’ve explained this a hundred times. Why can’t you trust me? There’s nothing going on between me and Camilla. I’ve promised you, and I keep my promises. What you need to do right now is rest, instead of chasing after me. Come on, I’ll take you home p>
“But I’m scared. Every time I close my eyes, I think about the day Calvin forced me out. And Camilla—she’s so strong, so talented. Everyone loves her. Compared to her, I’m nothing. I don’t have anywhere else to go. And lately, you keep meeting with her. What else can I do except stay by your side?” Davina said, her voice small, as if being near Barnard was the only thing keeping her together.
Barnard’s brow tightened, even more than it had with Camilla earlier. This kind of helpless dependence from Davina mostly just made him feel like she didn’t trust him at all.
He’d already sacrificed Camilla’s dignity for Davina, completely ruining any chance of going back to what he had with Camilla, yet Davina was still suspicious.
A wave of exhaustion rolled over Barnard. His mind went to how Camilla used to be, even at their closest. She never stalked him or clung to him like this.
Barnard gently pulled Davina’s hands off his arm and stepped away. “Davina, there’s really no need to be so anxious. The only thing Camilla and I talk about is work. None of it affects you at all. I’ve already told you my biggest secret. What more do you need? I’ve done everything for you, year after year. That isn’t going to change p>
He glanced down at Davina’s belly then, his eyelids lowering. Instead of happiness, there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.
Davina didn’t notice. Seemingly reassured, she stopped arguing and just asked, “Barnard, I really want some cherries all of a sudden. Can you take me to buy some p>
“That’s no big deal. Just tell Jackson, he’ll have them sent right to you,” Barnard replied.
He couldn’t understand why Davina was even asking him over something so minor. Fruit was easy—just let Jackson know and it would show up. Why bring it to him as if it was important?
Davina could hear the edge in his voice, and her cheeks turned a bright, embarrassed red. When she was with her first husband, cherries were such an expensive treat that she never dared to ask for them. Now with Barnard, she only wanted to see if he’d buy them for her, but she forgot that as the Carter Group’s heir, Barnard’s wealth was something her old husband couldn’t even imagine. The gifts he gave her—fancy jewelry, designer clothes, luxury handbags—cost more than a truckload of cherries ever could.
Asking him to buy them with her now just made her feel small and out of place.
Davina’s face burned and she didn’t know what to say.
Barnard didn’t give her a chance to respond. He put her in the car, drove her back to Saddlebrook Estates, and told Jackson, “Take good care of her. Whatever she wants, make sure she gets it p>
He held back his real thoughts—he never wanted Davina running to him over a box of fruit again. That wasn’t just about Davina’s pride. His pride mattered too.
Barnard left Saddlebrook Estates as soon as he dropped her off.
A little while later, Jackson brought in the cherries Davina wanted. They looked perfect, glossy and red like a pile of rubies, practically glowing on the table. Davina stared at them, but couldn’t bring herself to take a single bite.
Frowning, clutching her phone, she hesitated for a long time before she finally dialed a number.