Chapter 31
Barnard said he’d walk her out. He was gone for more than ten minutes.
Through the coffee shop’s glass door, Camilla could see Barnard and Davina talking out front. They weren’t standing too close, but even from here, she could see the gentle sympathy in Barnard’s eyes whenever he looked at Davina.
After a while, a taxi pulled up. Davina got in, and only then did Barnard head back inside.
The bouquet of red roses was still on the table next to Camilla, looking fresh and vibrant. But honestly, the flowers didn’t hold a candle to Camilla herself—she was stunning, elegant, impossible not to notice.
By anyone’s standards, Camilla made the perfect wife. She was the kind of woman he had chosen carefully and kept by his side like a prized accessory.
She had always been outstanding. Top of her class, sharp, ambitious. Back in school, she was a model student. After graduation, she quickly made a name for herself at work. She elevated his reputation just by being with him, both for her accomplishments and her looks. At home, too, she kept everything perfectly organized, never letting him worry about a thing.
With Camilla around all these years, it would be a lie to say he never once felt anything for her. There were plenty of times when Barnard caught himself wondering if maybe—if he’d met Camilla first, maybe he could have given his heart to her, fully.
But now…
“Camilla, you’ve been working so hard lately. I had someone book a table at your favorite restaurant. After dinner, let’s go pick out a couple of new handbags, all right?” Barnard tried to sound warm and generous.
He knew he couldn’t give Camilla what she really wanted—his love, his attention—so he tried to make up for it with gifts.
Camilla rose from her seat. “That’s all right. Dahlia’s with Jasper right now, and she can’t cook. I should get home to them p>
No matter how nice Barnard tried to make his words sound, now that Camilla saw past the surface, everything he said just seemed empty and fake.
She couldn’t help but recall what Jasper said the night before. He’d told her that Barnard cared about him less than Lance did. Looking at things now… it was true.
Even when Barnard watched her arrange for a nanny for Jasper, he didn’t ask a single question about his son. Booked a restaurant? He hadn’t thought to make it a family thing, or even include Jasper. It was like whatever happened to Jasper had nothing to do with him at all.
After a string of Camilla’s rejections, Barnard frowned, mild irritation flickering in his eyes before he forced it down. “Let me give you a ride, at least,” he offered.
Camilla shook her head. “No need. My car’s at the office p>
Barnard didn’t press further. But the next day, he showed up himself to drop Susan off at Brookfield Manor.
He’d even asked Aaron to bring up all the things Susan had helped Camilla move.
But when he saw the place, Barnard immediately looked around with disapproval. “Camilla, this is the house you picked? It’s so small. Why don’t you just move back home? If people saw you living here, I mean p>
“Where we live doesn’t matter. Jasper likes it here—and that’s enough.” Camilla was surprised that Barnard came in person, but since he was already at the door, she couldn’t exactly turn him away. Still, the way he nitpicked everything grated on her nerves, and it crept into her voice.
Barnard took a glance around, then sat down, the same look of distaste lingering in his eyes. “But you’re my wife, Camilla. I just don’t think you should be living in a place this small. Why go through all this when you could just come back with me p>
“Go through what, exactly? I lived in much worse places growing up. Not everyone dreams about having a big house, Barnard. This place is perfect for Jasper and me p>
While they talked, Susan was already unpacking Camilla’s things. As she sorted bags and jewelry in the bedroom, Barnard kept going. “But you’re my wife now. There isn’t even a decent walk-in closet here. If people saw this, they’d think I can’t take care of you p>
It always came down to his reputation.
Camilla really didn’t feel like arguing with him. She handed him a glass of water, hoping it might keep him quiet for a minute.
Right then, barking came from the hallway. Dahlia had just brought Jasper back from walking the dog.
The moment the door swung open, Snow darted into the room, tail wagging. With all these new faces inside, the dog got nervous and tore around, barking at everyone.
Barnard’s face darkened. “You’re keeping the dog here, too? This place is already tiny, and you added a dog? Camilla, what are you thinking p>
“Jasper likes having him around.” Camilla barely glanced at Barnard when she answered.
Jasper spotted his dad and instantly tensed, edging in front of Snow protectively. “Dad, Snow’s a good dog. You can’t just hate him because he’s loud p>
Barnard ignored Jasper, focusing on Camilla instead. “You don’t have to let him get his way every time. I’m just looking out for you, Camilla. Between work and taking care of him and the dog, how are you going to manage all of it? Why don’t you p>
“Barnard, Jasper is your son too. I really don’t get how you can be so detached from him. He just loves the dog. I’ve told you more than once, the dog doesn’t make extra work for me. Jasper looks after him himself. Why do you have to keep killing his excitement every single time p>