Chapter 251
None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for her.
She wouldn’t have minded dying. Maybe she should have died five years ago, and the years since had just been borrowed time. She had no real ties left in the world. If she died, it didn’t really matter.
But Camilla… that was different. Camilla couldn’t go down with her.
The men sneered, their faces twisted and excited. They reminded Dahlia of her worst nightmares. Her hands shook as she clung to the fabric of Neal’s pants, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Neal, we were classmates once. You can do whatever you want to me, but please… let Camilla go p>
The first thing Camilla saw when she walked in was Dahlia looking like this—her whole body trembling, on the edge of collapse.
It wasn’t just Neal and his buddies waiting there. A couple of bodyguards stood by the door, looking like they were ready to stop anyone who tried to intervene. They must have thought Camilla would show up with backup. But when she arrived alone, they just let her through. So she got to Dahlia without anyone stopping her.
Seeing Dahlia shaking like that sent a wave of panic through Camilla. She recognized the signs. Dahlia was about to break down again.
She didn’t care what anyone else thought. She shoved past Neal, reached Dahlia’s side, and pulled her into a tight hug. “Dahlia, it’s okay, I’m here. I promise, I won’t let anyone hurt you p>
“No, Camilla, you don’t get it… They’re after me. For those five years, the only reason I stayed safe was because you were Mrs. Carter. But she’s back now. She’s not going to let me off. Camilla, I don’t want to drag you down with me again. Please just go—go while you still can.” Dahlia was pushing at her, desperate, her face streaked with tears. Her hands were shaking so much they barely seemed to work.
Camilla just held Dahlia tighter. She wished she could squeeze away all her pain.
This was Dahlia, her Dahlia. The same girl who used to smile so gently, who’d finally started to heal these last five years. And now these people were ruining her all over again.
Camilla’s voice cut through the noise, cold and furious. “Where’s Barnard? Get him out here. Now p>
She didn’t buy for a second that Barnard wasn’t involved.
The worst part was that she knew every single one of these faces. Back in school, they used to sit in the same classrooms. They were the ones who showed their true selves years ago. The ones who tore Dahlia apart once, and now, here they were again. Same tricks. Same people.
All because some bored rich girl wanted to pass the time.
Neal scoffed. “Camilla, you married Barnard after college, right? If you were still Mrs. Carter, sure, none of us would have touched you. But you guys are divorcing, aren’t you? Stop acting all high and mighty with us. It’s been years, let’s have a little fun for old time’s sake. Dahlia knows these games better than anyone. Aren’t you two best friends? Maybe she can show you how it’s done p>
Camilla glared at him. “I said, go get Barnard.” Her eyes practically spit fire. The way everyone looked at her, the way Neal talked—it all made one thing clear. This was definitely Barnard’s idea.
Because if he hadn’t given the order, these cowards wouldn’t dare do anything.
So where was he? Probably hiding nearby, watching and waiting for her to give in. For her to say she was still Mrs. Carter.
Neal ignored her and looked back at Dahlia. “Dahlia, your friend really doesn’t know how to behave. You should teach her a lesson p>
Dahlia was still shaking so hard she could barely speak. Her teeth sank into her lip until it bled. Her eyes were wet and furious. “Stay away from her, Neal. Don’t touch Camilla p>
Neal just grinned. “Then you cooperate. Like last time. Take your clothes off p>
He didn’t move toward her. He just stood there, pressing all of Dahlia’s worst buttons with his words.
Camilla held onto Dahlia’s hand, squeezing back. “Don’t listen to him, Dahlia. I promise, he won’t lay a finger on us. You didn’t drag me into this—if anything, it’s my fault you’re here p>
Dahlia’s tears kept flowing as she tried to push Camilla away. She looked lost, like she wasn’t really here anymore. “I’ll do it, okay? I’ll do what you want. Just… don’t hurt Camilla p>
She remembered everything from five years ago.
People like them never stood a chance against someone like Pamela. Even after all the awful things Pamela did, her punishment was just getting shipped overseas. Neal and the others didn’t even get records. That was with the Carter family stepping in.
Now it was just her and Camilla against all of them. They had no power.
She’d already survived this once. Maybe this time, she wouldn’t bother trying.
Dahlia gave Camilla a hard shove, pulling away. Her hands shook as she fumbled with the buttons on her shirt, starting with the first one. She already knew what was coming.
They’d want pictures again. And then…
Camilla grabbed her wrist. “Dahlia, breathe. Look at me. You have to calm down p>
Then she looked over at the men, voice cold and even. “Call Barnard. Tell him I’ll talk to him directly p>
They traded glances, picking up on the shift in her tone. Neal pulled out a document, smirking. “Why would Barnard come here in person? If you can prove you’re still Mrs. Carter, I wouldn’t dare do anything to either of you p>