Chapter 228
The contract really didn’t put them at any kind of disadvantage.
Thinking it over, Calvin finally made up his mind. “Alright, we’ll do it your way. Let’s sign the papers now. You write up the letter of understanding, and I’ll go pick up Barnard p>
He hesitated for a moment as something occurred to him, then spoke carefully. “This agreement is only valid after you two are officially divorced. It doesn’t count until you’ve got the divorce certificate p>
He wasn’t about to take any chances. Camilla and Barnard would have to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to finalize things and he needed to make sure there weren’t any loopholes. There was no way he was going to end up paying Camilla another eight million the day they split.
Camilla didn’t argue. For her, the agreement was already the best security she could get.
Once the divorce was final, they’d both go their separate ways. That would be for the best. And if Barnard tried to make trouble, it would be up to Calvin to rein him in.
Deal settled.
The next morning, Calvin was quick to rush Camilla to the police station to get the letter signed. With the statement in hand, everything was settled privately, and Barnard was immediately released.
The moment Barnard spotted Camilla, his eyes lit up with excitement. “Camilla, I knew it. You still care about me—you couldn’t leave me in here forever p>
Before Camilla could respond, Davina came bounding out from behind her, throwing herself into Barnard’s arms. She clutched his hand and tears welled up in her eyes. “Barnard, you’re finally out! I’ve been so worried about you, I barely slept these last few days. I’m just so glad you’re okay. If something had happened to you, I don’t even know what I would have done p>
Barnard looked confused. “Davina? What are you doing here p>
Everything felt unreal. How else could he be seeing Davina and Camilla together? Camilla made sense—she was there to help him—but why was Davina here?
Camilla answered, “Your parents were worried about you, so they asked your fiancée to come pick you up. I’ve already taken care of what I came here to do. Remember, three days from now, Civil Affairs Bureau at nine sharp to pick up the divorce certificate p>
Barnard blinked. “What fiancée? Camilla, what are you talking about?” He stared at Davina in disbelief.
Since when was Davina his fiancée? Wait p>
Davina jumped in, bubbling with excitement. “Oh, Barnard, Mom and Dad already agreed. The news about us getting engaged is going out today! As soon as you and Camilla get the divorce certificate in three days, we’ll have our engagement party p>
She held up her phone for him to see. “Look, the news is already out. Let’s hurry home and get ready to take our engagement photos. Mom and Dad are waiting for us p>
Barnard looked at the flood of headline notifications about his engagement, unable to process what he was seeing. His brain felt like it was short-circuiting.
Calvin always used to hate Davina. Why was he suddenly on board with this, and how had everything been made public without even telling him?
He turned to Camilla, words catching on his lips. “Camilla, I p>
Camilla didn’t give him a chance to finish. “Three days from now, nine in the morning—I’ll be waiting at Civil Affairs Bureau. Until then, Barnard, please don’t talk to me. You wouldn’t want to upset your fiancée, would you?” With that, she got into her car, not even glancing back.
Barnard watched Camilla drive away, still in a daze beside Davina.
Davina’s face clouded with anxiety. “Barnard, why won’t you talk to me? Wasn’t it your dream to marry me? Your parents have agreed—shouldn’t you be happy p>
Barnard felt numb. He didn’t answer her question, just kept turning things over in his head. Wasn’t this what he’d always wanted? Marrying Davina had been his dream since they were kids. The barriers were gone, his parents had finally given their approval, and yet… why did none of this make him happy? If anything, he just felt empty inside.
He caught himself staring at Camilla’s car as it disappeared down the road, a dull ache settling in his chest.
Davina’s nervous energy only grew stronger. “Barnard, did you change your mind? Are you starting to have feelings for Camilla p>
Honestly, Barnard didn’t even know how to answer. He just knew Davina’s voice was getting on his nerves. “Davina, I’m tired. I just need a minute to think, okay p>
Davina looked even more panicked. “Barnard, you don’t know how heartless Camilla can be. If Dad hadn’t begged her, she never would’ve signed that statement, and p>
Barnard cut her off. “Davina, not now. I really don’t want to talk about this p>
All he wanted was a bit of quiet to figure out what the hell had just happened.
Davina fell silent for a second, but then she tried again. “So, are we still doing engagement photos p>
Barnard’s face chilled. “Are you really in that much of a rush p>