Chapter 156
“Even if you don’t love Camilla anymore, even if you want to cheat, there are so many young and pretty girls out there. Why did you have to choose someone who makes your father and me feel embarrassed every time she’s mentioned? Are you doing this just to spite me p>
Laura couldn’t see any other reason. She was convinced Barnard had chosen an older woman on purpose to get back at her for leaving him alone for years.
This time, Barnard didn’t brush her off. “Mom, you don’t have to make it sound so awful.
“If Davina hadn’t been there for me during those years, I’m not sure what would have happened.
“I did blame you back then, but I get it now. You had your own life to live.
“As for Davina, it’s like I told you—I owe her, and I want to take care of her. I made her a promise, and I’m not going back on it. So please, stop trying to talk me out of it p>
“But your father p>
Laura’s anger faded into something softer. Whenever Barnard brought up his childhood, she couldn’t shake off the guilt, no matter how hard she tried.
Barnard said quietly, “Davina is carrying a Carter child. No matter what, Dad would never reject his own grandkid. And me? He’s definitely not going to disown me for this p>
“You’re being so foolish. Is she really worth it? If you ask me, you should have paid her off and sent her packing, not dragged things out like this p>
She couldn’t say the rest.
Barnard talked about gratitude, but Laura couldn’t see how sleeping with Davina was any kind of repayment. The gap between them was too big in every way, and she honestly couldn’t wrap her head around him being with her at all.
Barnard’s expression darkened and fell into silence, eyes distant, as if he was lost in thought.
In the past, he would have said it straight out—he loved Davina.
Right now, though…
Barnard hesitated.
He kept thinking about Davina, her desperate questions, the way she’d grab him and demand answers, voice shaking.
Every time that happened, he’d find himself thinking of Camilla instead.
Calm, composed Camilla, who never lost her cool.
Camilla, who always put herself on the line to help him, solving problems before he even knew how bad they were.
Ever since Davina moved in, Camilla had stepped out of his life. Whether it was personal or work stuff, he felt drained in a way he never had before.
He couldn’t get used to the change. Even the love for Davina he believed was unshakeable started to blur at the edges.
Looking up, Barnard saw Camilla standing at the doorway. He had no idea how long she’d been standing there.
His expression turned stiff. After a quick cough, he managed a gentle, polite smile. “Camilla, you’re here p>
Laura spun around, startled, flustered. She seemed worried that Camilla had heard too much.
She’d been telling Barnard to break things off with Davina, but she’d also hinted that if he and Camilla were done, he should at least pick a woman that wouldn’t bring shame on the family.
It wasn’t the kind of thing a mother-in-law should ever say, and Laura knew it.
But when she saw Camilla’s expressionless face, calm almost to the point of being cold, Laura finally breathed out.
Camilla didn’t waste words. “Dad asked me to come by. I’ll be around this afternoon, but if you need anything, call a nurse—not me p>
She was only there for appearances.
She wasn’t going to lift a finger to help Barnard anymore.
“Camilla, you…” Laura couldn’t hide her surprise.
She’d watched Camilla give in time after time at the Carter estate and assumed Camilla just didn’t care much about the whole thing. She never realized just how tense things had become between Camilla and Barnard.
Worried, Laura opened her mouth to say something, but the words wouldn’t come.
Barnard spoke up first. “Mom, whatever’s between me and Camilla, we’ll sort it out. You should go home p>
Laura didn’t want to leave, but she knew there was nothing else she could do. She turned to Camilla one last time. “Camilla, if there’s been any misunderstanding, talk it through. Please don’t act on impulse, okay p>
She left and closed the door behind her. Now Barnard’s whole attention was on Camilla.
He was sure Camilla had overheard everything.
Even so, she stayed cool, no hint of a fight or argument.
For a moment, Barnard couldn’t tell if she really just didn’t care anymore or if she was putting on a brave face.
His gaze kept drifting over her, searching for any crack in that calm facade. After a moment, he suddenly asked, “Where’s Jasper? Is he doing okay? I haven’t seen him in ages. Why didn’t you bring him with you today p>
As soon as he said it, he saw Camilla freeze, her hand pausing halfway to her laptop. For the first time, all that calm vanished. Her face finally showed real anger.