Chapter 303
Camilla barely had time to react before Lance whisked her out of the restaurant.
After they left, Sarah’s tears still hadn’t dried. Shirley rushed over, handing her a tissue and looking genuinely apologetic. “Sarah, I’m really sorry. Tessa was pushing so hard, I never expected things to get so out of hand. If you’re mad, just yell at me. But please, don’t cry, okay p>
Sarah dabbed at her eyes, giving Shirley a tired smile. “I know you were just looking out for me. I don’t blame you, not at all. I just… I never thought Lance would treat me this way p>
Shirley’s sympathy only grew. She gently patted Sarah’s back. “Sarah, none of this is your fault. It’s that woman, she’s just too good at playing people. She’s got Lance wrapped around her finger now… You grew up with him. It’s so unfair that she’s come in and taken over. You’re just too nice, always blaming yourself when it should never be on you p>
Sarah pressed her lips together, looking completely defeated. “Don’t say that, Shirley. Camilla is the one Lance cares about, so of course he’s defending her. This is all on me. I made up my mind, I’m going to apologize to Camilla tomorrow. Will you come with me to pick out a gift p>
“Sarah!” Shirley protested, frowning at how much her friend was willing to give in.
Sarah just kept her head down, her voice quiet but determined. “Tessa and everyone else, they gave me a place to belong. I really want this family to stay together, Shirley, so please, don’t try to stop me. Tomorrow, I’m apologizing to Camilla and asking Lance for forgiveness too p>
Shirley looked at Sarah with real heartbreak, but in the end, she couldn’t say anything else.
Meanwhile, in Lance’s car, Camilla was still thinking about what had happened. “Lance, this thing with Sarah… It really wasn’t her fault. Maybe we were a little harsh p>
Lance shook his head. “Even if she didn’t invite my mom, she didn’t tell her to back off when things got tense. She didn’t stand up for you, either. That’s not completely innocent,” he said, his words full of loyalty to Camilla.
Camilla frowned a little. “Tessa’s always been kind of forceful, and Sarah’s… well, she’s soft-spoken. Maybe she really didn’t have a say. It just feels wrong for her to get all the blame p>
Lance leaned closer, fixing his eyes on her. “Camilla, I’ve been defending you with everything I’ve got, and here you are worrying for someone else. You’re making me feel left out. Come on, forget about people who don’t matter. Give me some love instead, okay p>
She couldn’t help but laugh a little. “Who just outright asks for compliments like that p>
Lance grinned. “Well, if you’re not going to give them, I’ll just have to ask. But before that, let me be the one to dish out the praise. You were amazing, Camilla p>
She smiled, caught off guard. “Me p>
He nodded. “Yes, you. You were so brave today. Next time anyone from the Charles family tries anything, don’t bother being polite. Let them complain to me p>
Camilla blushed, looking away. “I just got too mad, that’s all p>
Lance softened his voice. “Even when you’re not mad, you should stand up for yourself. You never have to put yourself second because of them p>
The car slipped quietly through the city, the driver raising the partition for privacy. Lance leaned his head on Camilla’s shoulder. “Baby, as long as you’re with me, no one gets to make you feel small. Just do whatever you want, and I’ll take care of the rest p>
He nuzzled against her neck, his breath warm on her skin. Camilla felt her worries melting away, completely forgetting everything from earlier.
By the time they reached Laguna Shores, Camilla stepped out and just stopped, stunned. The yard, which had looked so plain before, was now alive with a massive greenhouse overflowing with pink roses. The fragrance was dizzying and sweet, drifting through the air like a dream.
She stood there, eyes wide. “What is p>
This morning, none of this had been here. She’d only been out for a few hours, but it looked like everything had changed.
Lance smiled softly. “I mentioned it yesterday. It’s your gift. The roses arrived overnight. Camilla, this is our home, and little by little, I’m going to make it exactly the way you want p>
He didn’t need to ask her what she liked; somehow, he always got it right. That quiet attention, all those little surprises, made Camilla’s heart feel warm and light.
Not only had he filled the yard with roses, but he’d added a beautiful lion statue as well. The lion sat tall and proud, like a guardian watching over them.
Camilla saw right away what he meant by it, even without him explaining.
Everywhere she looked, the house felt softer, somehow more alive. The rose scent drifted inside through the open door. The dining table, her desk, even the little alcoves—all of them decorated with fresh, pink roses bright with dew.
It was clear, in every corner, just how much he cared.