Chapter 151
The contract was signed, ink on paper and a fresh fingerprint to make it official.
“Dad, Mom,” Camilla said quietly, “I saw everything you did for me earlier. I know how much you care. We’re family. I don’t want to make things harder for anyone p>
She took a breath, trying to steady herself. “I just hope this can be the end of it. As long as Davina doesn’t come after me again, I can look the other way until her baby is born p>
Honestly, you’d struggle to find a more gracious wife anywhere.
Laura pulled Camilla into a gentle hug and tried to reassure her. “You’re a good girl, truly. You deserve so much better than this. I’ll tell the kitchen to cook your favorite dishes tonight. Please, stay for dinner with us p>
Suddenly, things in the room felt softer. The tension eased out, replaced by a shaky peace.
Calvin looked at Camilla with newfound respect. What his family needed was a woman who could handle things with thought and grace. For now, he couldn’t be more impressed with her.
There was still a shadow of hurt on Camilla’s face, but she didn’t refuse their invitation.
The three of them stepped out of the study, only to hear chaos erupting outside.
Davina had shown up.
Jackson was blocking the front door, but Davina was refusing to budge, her voice carrying across the entryway. “Let me see Barnard! I need to talk to him p>
All the composure Camilla had managed to gather slipped away. She went paper white the moment she saw Davina.
Even mild-mannered Laura looked downright disgusted. “Why isn’t she at the hospital? What is she doing here now p>
Laura had every right to be angry. Davina’s pregnancy had never been something the Carter family wanted. They only agreed to it because Barnard insisted. Davina couldn’t care less about how hard Barnard fought for her. She was always running around, taking risks, even after almost miscarrying. Now, right after her surgery, she was here making a scene of it, just as they’d finished calming Camilla.
It felt so deliberate.
Honestly, even Laura wanted Davina gone. Having her around was nothing but trouble.
Calvin lost his temper. “Is everyone here just standing around? Who let her in? Get her out of my house, now p>
“Sir, we…” Jackson stammered, glancing toward Davina’s baby bump. Her pregnancy wasn’t a secret. The staff whispered about it, nobody daring to physically force her out, terrified something might happen and they’d be blamed.
That’s how Davina always got her way.
Not caring about the staff’s struggle, Calvin barked out another order. “Bring in security. If she refuses to go, carry her out and take her back to the hospital. Do I need to spell out every little thing for you p>
“Calvin, you can’t treat me like this! I’m carrying Barnard’s child! I have to talk to him, I p>
“And you still dare to ask for Barnard?” Laura’s patience snapped. She thought of her son, beaten and left bedridden for Davina’s sake, while Davina barged in and caused drama the moment Camilla’s mood improved.
Laura stood her ground. “Barnard isn’t going to see you today. Know your place. You have no right to be so brazen in front of his actual wife p>
Davina had clashed with Laura before. She knew Laura’s reputation. Being yelled at now, she felt shocked and incredibly wronged. She held her stomach, her voice trembling. “I don’t believe it. Does Barnard really not care about our baby? I want to ask him myself p>
While she was talking, her gaze shifted to Camilla. Seeing the small, careless smile on Camilla’s lips—so distant it felt almost cruel—made her feel even more defeated.
Calvin was done. “You’re not allowed to cause trouble here. I’ll say this once. If you want to keep that child, get out right now. If not p>
“Calvin, please. You can’t do this! I’m carrying the Carter family’s heir, I—” Davina’s panic was making her reckless, words tumbling out before she could stop herself.
Right then, a door upstairs opened. Barnard appeared, pale and unsteady, bracing himself on the wall. He looked down at Davina from the second floor. “That’s enough, Davina. Go home p>
“Barnard, what are you saying?” Davina’s voice grew frenzied. “I have questions. We need to talk, can we just talk p>
She was too far away to notice how much Barnard was struggling, or the sweat on his brow. All she saw was his frown. “Barnard, please, I have to ask you something, can we speak alone for a minute p>
“Davina, you shouldn’t be here,” Barnard said quietly. “Please, just go. Don’t make things worse p>
He had fought tooth and nail to convince his family to let Davina keep the baby. Now, she’d just walked straight into a nightmare, and he couldn’t save her this time.