Chapter 154
Maybe he’d gotten it wrong from the very start. He never should have promised the Mrs. Carter title to Davina. Not if he really thought about it.
Camilla’s trip to the Carter estate ended up pretty successful. As she drove out of the gates, she spotted Barnard’s car parked up by the road. She didn’t slow down or even think about stopping. Whatever argument or heart-to-heart Barnard was having with Davina, it wasn’t her business anymore.
She was honestly in a good mood. Before heading back, she even made a quick stop to buy Jasper some snacks and new toys, feeling lighter than she had in a while.
But when she opened the door at home and saw Lance sitting in her living room, her smile froze for just a second.
Susan appeared almost immediately, taking the things from Camilla’s hands and jumping in to explain. “Jasper was the one who let Lance in. I just p>
Camilla had already told Susan last time not to let Lance into the house, but today Jasper had been playing in the living room when Lance arrived, so Susan really couldn’t turn him away.
After a few days to cool off, Camilla was calmer. She wasn’t going to lose her temper with Susan over something like this.
“I get it, Susan. Go take care of what you need to,” she said softly.
Once Susan left, Camilla looked at Lance sitting on the couch next to Jasper, both busy with a puzzle. She kept her voice polite but distant. “Thanks for hanging out with Jasper while I was out. I’m home now, so you don’t have to stay p>
Lance clicked the last puzzle piece into place and ruffled Jasper’s hair. He nodded at Jasper to go to his room, then turned his full attention to Camilla. Even though he was sitting and technically looking up at her, that didn’t make him seem any less imposing.
“I’m actually here to see you,” he said, eyes locked on hers.
She wasn’t having it. “I thought I made things clear last time, Lance. I’m not looking for trouble or misunderstandings with my husband. Please, from now on, just keep your distance p>
Lance gave her a wry, almost mocking smile. “Really? Do you even believe yourself when you say that, Miss Hedgehog? I heard what happened at the coffee shop. As far as I know, your husband’s mistress is pregnant. Shouldn’t you be looking for a good divorce lawyer? You p>
Camilla cut him off, her patience wearing thin. “Are you done? Lance, do you actually think you know me? So what if she’s pregnant? She’s just a nobody who’ll never make it into the Carter family. She doesn’t threaten me at all. Honestly, I should thank her. Because of her, my in-laws finally see what I bring to the table and are giving me shares in the Carter Group. Turns out, chasing after a man’s love isn’t everything. Keeping my place as Mrs. Carter is enough. So please, don’t meddle. When you go after the Carter family, when you target my husband, you’re messing with what I’ve worked for p>
The Carter family was already in chaos. Lance was an outsider. There was no reason for him to get dragged into this just because they’d crossed paths a few times. She could handle her own mess. She’d made it to where she was—Mrs. Carter, with no backing and no shortcuts—because she’d never been the kind of woman who needed rescuing.
Lance pressed on, his voice softer now. “Camilla, what’s really going on with you? What’s holding you back? Can you just tell me? Maybe I can p>
She cut him off again, refusing to give an inch. “Lance, put your kindness where it’s needed, like an orphanage or in communities that actually need help. I’m fine. I don’t need your pity p>
Ever since Barnard had ripped open the truth, Camilla had tried to keep herself together, but it had shaken her more than she’d admit. Even if she and Barnard divorced, she didn’t see herself moving on with another man, not ever. Jasper wasn’t in a place for a new father, and honestly, she didn’t want to bet her heart on someone else’s sincerity. It was just her and Jasper. That was enough.
She needed to make things crystal clear between her and Lance.
Even as she shut him down, Lance didn’t seem upset. His face stayed calm. “If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine. I’m not going anywhere. And Camilla, you don’t have to keep pushing me away. I’m not forcing you to do anything. Just… know that you can count on me anytime you want p>
His eyes were fixed on hers with this quiet intensity, as if nothing she said could drive him away or change his mind. And for a second, it made her heart tremble, made her hesitate to meet his gaze.
She tried to make light of it, voice cool. “You’ve always been the great Lance, haven’t you? Always surrounded by admirers. Why are you acting so humble now p>
He shook his head, a slight smile playing on his lips. “It isn’t about being humble. With you, I don’t mind lowering my guard. You can trust me, you know. Don’t see me as that ‘famous Lance’—just see me as myself. If you want someone at your side, I promise, I won’t let you down p>
He lifted his chin, almost daring her to argue, the confidence just rolling off him. He was like a sword out of its sheath, ready to take on anything, even the shield she’d built up around her heart.
All these years, Camilla had forced herself to hold back, to second-guess everything. Lance came at her straight on, no filter, and it always left her unsure how to defend herself.