Chapter 309
Camilla lay in bed, wide awake, staring at the ceiling. Sleep just wasn’t happening. Somewhere outside, the night started to fade and the first hint of morning crept across the sky. The house was quiet, almost eerily so, when Lance’s car rolled into the driveway.
She sat up, instantly alert, eyes glued to the front door.
Lance stumbled a little as he got out, the driver steadying him by the arm. Dane heard the muffled commotion and rushed out the door. “Lance, you’re finally home. Camilla’s been up waiting for you p>
That seemed to snap Lance out of his fog. His tired eyes found Camilla sitting on the couch and, for a second, his face looked a little scared. He pulled away from the driver and headed straight toward her.
Camilla didn’t move, just watched.
His suit wasn’t the same one he’d worn in Sarah’s pictures. But the deep blue tie—and the touch of silver chain peeking out from behind—were exactly the same as the ones in that photo. Both were familiar. One she’d picked out with Sarah herself, the other she’d made, threading every link by hand. Her heart sank, suspicion rising up again, making it hard to breathe.
Before she could speak, Lance blurted out, nervous and searching her face. “Camilla, why do you smell like disinfectant? Did you go to the hospital? Are you okay? Are you hurt p>
She looked at him, letting the silence hang before she finally asked, “Where were you p>
Lance hesitated. “I went to the Charles Estate for a bit. I didn’t want you to worry, so I didn’t say anything p>
She didn’t let up. “Really? You seem pretty drunk. And your phone—I called. Why didn’t you answer p>
She wanted to scream, to just ask about Sarah and their relationship, but the words barely made it out, stumbling and unsure.
Lance patted his pockets, a little dazed. “Darwin was there keeping an eye on things. I drank too much, I guess. Not sure where my phone went. Sorry, Camilla. It’s my fault. Did you call because something was wrong? Are you sick? Tell me p>
“Yes,” Camilla answered quietly.
His whole expression changed. He grabbed her hand, like he was ready to check her all over. “Where does it hurt? Did you take anything? Dane p>
He started to turn and call for Dane, but Camilla stopped him. “It’s my heart, Lance. Can you just tell me—what’s really going on between you and Sarah p>
Finally, she said it. She stared at Lance, caught every flicker across his face.
Confusion flickered in his eyes. But he didn’t get annoyed or angry, just looked at her with this heavy seriousness. “Sarah is my mom’s friend’s daughter. My mom basically raised her. She spent more time with Sarah than with me, honestly. If you go by what my mom wants, Sarah’s like a sister to me. But if I’m honest, she’s just… kind of a headache. Not really a friend. Not someone I ever wanted in my life that way. Camilla, what’s got you asking this out of nowhere? Did I do something? Did Sarah say something to you p>
He was gentle, too gentle. Like he was afraid of breaking her heart if he said the wrong thing.
Camilla felt embarrassed suddenly, like maybe she was making something out of nothing. Her voice dropped. “Your mother told my mom you were going to marry Sarah. Lance, I need to hear it from you p>
He tensed. “My mother went to the hospital?” he asked, voice strained.
“Not me. She talked to my mom. Lance, you’ve been good to me—so I need to know. You and Sarah p>
“There’s nothing going on,” Lance cut her off. “My mom’s got this idea in her head, and Sarah’s family is close to ours, but I’d never agree to it. Never. That’s all on my mom, Camilla. I’ll talk to her and make sure she gets it. I won’t let her bother you anymore. I promise—there’s really nothing between me and Sarah p>
He sounded annoyed just saying Sarah’s name, then added, “I’ll talk to them tomorrow. I’ll make it clear, make sure my mom leaves us alone for good p>
He looked so serious, Camilla could feel herself finally starting to believe him. Her eyes dropped to his tie.
“Lance, that tie—who gave it to you p>
He glanced down, pulling at the knot. “This? It came with the suit. Darwin probably put it together. Why p>
So, it came from the Charles Estate. If Sarah wanted to mess with things, it would have been easy for her.
Lance didn’t seem to notice anything strange about it, which meant Sarah probably set it up to cause trouble.
Camilla remembered the half-hidden photos Sarah had messaged her. The voice notes, all loaded with hints. Her jaw tightened.
Without even asking for a reason, Lance pulled off the tie and tossed it in the trash. “If you don’t like it, it’s gone,” he said. “If I did anything else today that made you upset, just tell me, Camilla. We shouldn’t keep secrets from each other. Don’t hold it in and make yourself miserable p>