Chapter 297
Lance seemed exactly the same as always—calm, steady, not giving anything away.
But as he walked over, Camilla caught the faintest trace of perfume on him, something soft and fresh… freesia. It wasn’t overpowering at all, just clean and light, but it felt familiar in a way that unsettled her. She remembered that breeze at the airport, the flash of someone stylish and slender brushing past her.
For some reason, her fingers stiffened. Lance sat down next to her. He must have noticed the shift in her expression, because his voice was gentle when he asked, “You look kind of down. Did something happen at work p>
That snapped Camilla out of her daze. She forced herself to focus, her tone growing steadier.
Of course. Her thing with Lance had always been undefined, stuck in this weird in-between place. She’d been the one who snuck off abroad to see Lean, after all. She was the one who’d held off from making things official. How could she even think about questioning Lance about other women?
She managed a small smile. “It was just a minor issue, but it’s sorted now. But you, Lance… I just came home. It’s nothing major, really. If you have work to do, go handle it. There’s no need to rush back here p>
He slipped his hand onto her shoulder, his touch both careful and familiar. “Anything that’s about you is a big deal to me. Work can always wait. I can’t relax until I’ve seen for myself that you’re alright p>
He said it with that familiar warmth, hints of the freesia lingering in the air, making it hard for Camilla to keep her guard up. She tried to brush it off and move her body away, creating some space between them. Even that little movement didn’t slip by Lance. He started to say something, but Camilla interrupted, “Sorry… I’ve just been traveling nonstop these last two days. I really need to rest for a bit p>
That scent was invading her senses, making it almost impossible to keep her questions and suspicions in check. Camilla swallowed it all down and decided it was better to back off. She still hadn’t figured out her own mess. Maybe if Lance found someone else, it would actually be easier for her.
Lance studied her for a moment, like he wanted to say more, confusion flickering in his eyes. Still, he didn’t push. “Okay. I’ll be in the study. If you need anything, just let someone know p>
The moment he walked away, Jasper appeared, speaking in a soft voice, “Mommy, did Lance do something to upset you p>
Camilla shook her head, feeling a little exposed. “No, Jasper… why do you ask?” Was she really that obvious? Had Jasper already picked up on her mood?
Jasper hesitated a second, then said, “You and Lance are being polite again. Like you were when we first met. Did something happen p>
She tried to laugh it off. “It’s nothing, Jasper. I just got off a long flight. I’m a little tired, that’s all p>
Honestly, Camilla herself didn’t know how to explain her relationship with Lance—especially not to her own son. She was the one always pushing Lance away. Maybe, when she finally figured out everything Barnard had been hiding, she’d be able to face her feelings and deal with Lance head-on.
Jasper looked up at her seriously. “You have to promise me. If there’s something bothering you, tell me. I’m not a little kid anymore. I want to help p>
She ruffled his hair gently. “Alright, I promise. If something’s on my mind, you’ll be the first to know p>
That seemed to satisfy Jasper. He grinned and said, “Then go rest, Mom. I can finish the puzzle on my own p>
For once, Camilla didn’t argue. She really did need time to herself, to try to untangle her thoughts. When she stepped out of Jasper’s room, she spotted Lance down the hallway. His back was turned as he made a phone call.
He wasn’t even trying to be quiet, and Camilla could hear a female voice on the other end. Lance’s tone wasn’t exactly gentle—he was telling her to calm down, to stop making a fuss.
Usually, Lance lost patience quickly. If someone annoyed him, he just ignored them. But this time, he kept talking, repeating himself instead of hanging up. This was the first time Camilla had ever seen him on the phone with a woman.
She hesitated, just for a moment, then walked quietly toward her own room as if she hadn’t noticed anything. As she reached for her door, she heard Lance hang up and turn around. Their eyes met.
“Camilla, I know you heard that. She—” he started.
“Lance, you don’t need to explain anything to me,” Camilla said quietly.
She closed her bedroom door, putting space between her and Lance—and between her and all the chaos in her heart. But even with the door shut, her pulse thudded hard in her chest, a bittersweet ache that told her the truth: she really did care about Lance, more than she wanted to admit, and it mattered who he was talking to on the phone.
But right now, she had nothing to offer him. Giving him hope would just be selfish.
She lay down, meaning just to collect herself, but the exhaustion caught up with her. She drifted off almost instantly.
When she woke, it was already getting dark. Jasper came to wake her up, already changed out of his pajamas into his favorite puffy jacket, standing at her door with a big smile. “Mom, come on, get ready. We’re going out for dinner p>