Chapter 304
Camilla had only bought this place on a whim, but somehow it felt more and more like home every day. Whenever she looked at Lance, something new bloomed inside her, something so powerful it shocked her—a possessiveness she’d never imagined she could feel. The truth hit her quietly, but it hit hard. She didn’t want to be apart from him. Maybe she thought she’d never fight for anything again in this life, but for him she was willing to try one more time.
That evening, her phone lit up with another apology from Sarah. The message was long and heartfelt, the kind you could tell someone had written over and over, trying to get just right. Camilla read it twice. She knew Sarah didn’t mean any harm, and even Tessa showing up really wasn’t Sarah’s fault. She wrote back with a few comforting words, hoping Sarah would feel a little better.
But a few minutes later, her phone buzzed with a call. Sarah’s voice on the line was faint and staticky, and she sounded like she’d been crying. “Camilla, is Lance still mad at me? I sent him a message, but he didn’t answer, and when I tried to call, he ignored it. Could you talk to him for me? Tessa was upset today, and Lance is her son. Can you help ask him to come home for a while p>
Sarah’s requests sounded reasonable, but Camilla hesitated. “I’m sorry, Sarah, I just don’t want to interfere. If you want Lance to come home, maybe you should let him know yourself p>
Sarah went quiet for a second, then asked, “You’re not upset if I contact him, are you p>
The question left Camilla feeling strange. Something about the way Sarah asked made her uneasy, even though, on the surface, there was nothing wrong with it. “Of course not. You’re his sister, after all. It’s normal for you two to talk p>
“You really are such a good person, Camilla. It’s no wonder Lance likes you so much. If I were a guy, I think I’d like you, too p>
Sarah’s mood seemed to shift, and suddenly she launched into a rambling stream of compliments and chatter that hardly left any space for Camilla to answer. She didn’t want to hang up on her, so she just listened, dropping in a “mm” here and there, waiting for an opening.
She never got the chance. Lance finally came in, calling her downstairs for dinner. He noticed how long she’d been on the phone and couldn’t help but tease her. “Who’s got so much to say? Seriously, it’s almost been an hour. Doesn’t anyone need a break around here p>
Sarah must have heard him because her voice suddenly hesitated. “Camilla, was that Lance? Can I talk to him p>
He was standing right there, so Camilla handed over the phone. “It’s Sarah p>
Lance looked at the screen, eyebrows knitting together, then took the phone with a sigh. “Sarah, enough already. Don’t you get that other people need to rest sometimes? Not everyone is as free as you are. Stop pestering Camilla. She has nothing to say to you p>
Camilla couldn’t hear Sarah’s reply. Lance ended the call a moment later and put her phone back in her hand. “Next time she calls, just ignore her p>
Camilla gave him a helpless look. “She’s still your family. From what I can tell, she’s not trying to cause trouble. Don’t you think you’re being a bit harsh p>
Lance met her eyes, frustration clear in his voice. “Camilla, I know you mean well, but we’re not blood. Just because people call themselves family doesn’t mean boundaries disappear. Honestly, what did Sarah say to you p>
“Not much. She just said your mother’s in a bad mood and wants you home. Lance, I don’t want to change your mind, but I also don’t want to come between you and your family. She’s still your mom. You p>
“She used awful words to insult you, Camilla. I only gave her back what she dished out. I’ll make peace with them when they’re willing to accept you. Until then, I’m not interested. Let’s not talk about them anymore, okay? And if Sarah tries to reach out to you again, just leave her on read p>
Camilla hesitated before speaking. “But I think if we’re together, that’s on both of us. I don’t want you to carry all the pressure by yourself. I can try, too, to win your family over p>
Lance shook his head, a soft, tired smile on his lips. “That’s not how this works, Camilla. I love you. The fact that you’re here with me is more than I deserve. I want to clear the way for you, not add to your worries. I know you fought hard to get into The Carter Family, but I’m not Barnard. I’m not going to let anyone make things difficult for you. Trust me, okay? When you’re with me, you don’t have to be the one carrying all the weight p>
He spoke so simply, so clearly, that Camilla couldn’t help but believe him. All that warmth went right to her heart. She didn’t argue any more, but she quietly made up her mind. No matter what, she’d do better—she’d never let herself be the reason Lance was held back.
She thought after what happened last night, Sarah would give up. But when Camilla arrived at work the next morning, the first thing she saw was Sarah waiting by the entrance.