Chapter 271
Camilla had always had her suspicions.
From the very first time they met, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something oddly familiar about Lance. Each time their paths crossed after that, Lance would step in to help her, always quick to offer his support. He somehow seemed to know her better than he should, which only made the feeling stronger.
Now, with the conversation heading in that direction, Camilla finally gave voice to her curiosity.
Lance’s smile faltered for a split second. “Honestly, you could say that,” he said. “Why don’t you take a guess, Camilla? If you can’t figure it out, you’ll just have to wait until we get married. Then I promise I’ll tell you everything p>
Camilla looked at him, her curiosity completely hooked. She studied his almost perfectly sculpted features, but the harder she tried to remember, the cloudier her memory got.
It didn’t make sense. With a face like his, how could she possibly forget if she’d met him before? And judging by how well he seemed to know her, they must have crossed paths somehow. But no matter how she tried, she just couldn’t place him.
“You weren’t… a classmate of mine at some point, were you?” she asked, thinking aloud. “Did we go to school together? Elementary or preschool maybe?” If she really did know Lance, it had to be years ago, maybe so far back her memories had already started to blur.
She tried to search those fuzzy corners of her mind for a clue.
Lance grinned. “Not classmates. And we didn’t meet at school either. Try again, Camilla p>
Camilla pressed her lips together, considering. “You can’t be… that little chubby kid I used to fight with all the time, right?” She suddenly leaned in closer, squinting at Lance’s face, trying to reimagine it in her childhood, then shook her head. “No way. You’re way too handsome. The chubby kid definitely didn’t look like this p>
Lance’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I’ll take that as a compliment. Want to keep guessing p>
“Can’t you just tell me?” Camilla pleaded, half exasperated, half amused.
Lance looked even more awkward. “Nope. I have to keep it secret until we’re married.” His expression was caught somewhere between embarrassment and stubbornness.
He wasn’t about to spill the truth now, not when Camilla hadn’t even agreed to be with him yet. He worried that if she found out what he’d actually done all those years ago, she’d think he was a fool and want nothing to do with him. He’d have nowhere left to hide if that happened.
Maybe it was best to keep the confession until after she officially became his wife.
Lance had definitely succeeded in making Camilla curious, but he refused to give her the answer, no matter how many times she tried. Her guesses kept coming, but every single one was wrong.
The suspense was driving her nuts, like having an itch she just couldn’t reach, her mind stuck on the mystery.
“Can’t you give me a hint?” Camilla was relentless.
But for someone who always claimed he’d do anything for her, Lance was rock solid on this. “No way. If I give you a hint, you’ll figure it out for sure. I’ll tell you everything after we’re married. Deal p>
He smiled at her, then tried to steer the conversation away. “Alright, Camilla, the real issue right now is going back to our new place. I still have a few things to move. Are you free later? Will you come over and help me p>
By the time their car pulled into Saddlebrook Estates, the real reason behind Lance’s request finally dawned on Camilla. She realized why Lance had wanted her to tag along with him for this so-called moving day.
He was making a statement, and it was the kind that left no doubt.
Lance’s villa was right next to Barnard’s. He wasn’t just quietly moving out, he was making sure the whole neighborhood knew about it. Word got around fast, because these single-family homes were owned by people who had money, influence, or both. Most kept to themselves, valuing their privacy, and the unspoken rule was to mind your own business.
But Lance had tossed all those rules out the window.
Not only was he making a loud show of his big move, but he was basically throwing a parade for it. All that was missing was his butler and staff handing out flyers at every door.
Barnard, whose house was practically touching Lance’s, was the first to hear the news. The clamor outside caught Davina’s attention, and she muttered under her breath, “Who are these people next door p>
She strained to hear more as she went on, “Honestly, this is just weird. No shame at all. So what if he’s moving in with his girlfriend? It’s not as if they’re getting married. Why does everyone have to know about it p>
Davina heard the footsteps on the walkway and glanced at Barnard. “And now they’re coming to tell us in person? What’s next, asking for a gift p>
Barnard wasn’t in a great mood. Truthfully, he’d always found the neighbor’s behavior kind of odd and—somehow—just a little bit familiar. He’d tried to dig up who lived next door, but had come up with nothing. Now, with everything happening, a terrible realization was starting to form in his mind.
Listening to Davina’s constant grumbling, he frowned. “Why do you care so much about what’s going on with other people? If you’ve got that much time on your hands, maybe you should try watching some videos about how to dress yourself p>
Davina’s face fell, irritation written all over her features.
She opened her mouth to shoot something back, but before she could, Daisy came crashing in from outside, still full of energy from playing. She was practically bursting with excitement. “Mom! Dad! Do you know who’s living next door p>