Chapter 322
The truth was, they hadn’t done anything really wrong, so the cops couldn’t just throw the book at them. The officers were at their wits’ end, desperately waiting for someone, anyone, to show up and post bail. Hours passed, and still nobody came. Finally, they called Davina.
She didn’t want to go.
But the police got pretty persuasive. They told her straight up that even if she refused, her relatives would be released soon anyway, and when that happened, they’d probably blame her for leaving them to rot. There would be drama, and maybe even more headaches. Wouldn’t it be better to show up now and buy herself a little goodwill?
Thinking about Carmen, Davina figured they kind of had a point. So off she went, heading to the police station. On the way there, her mind was racing. She started working out how to squeeze another favor out of Carmen, planning her next move before she even arrived. As soon as she saw that crowd of troublemaking relatives waiting for her, an idea hit her, and her eyes sparkled.
With Davina signing off as their guarantor, the paperwork went through fast. Her family was out in less than ten minutes.
No sooner had they stepped out than her relatives surrounded her, all talking over each other, jumping straight into complaints.
“Davina, that was cold. Why didn’t you invite us to your wedding? That’s family—you can’t just leave us out like that p>
“Exactly. So you move to the city, and now you’re too good for the rest of us? Is that it p>
“Calvin’s a big shot, you know. Don’t think you won’t need us around. One wrong move and those fancy in-laws of yours will eat you alive p>
“Yeah, you can’t forget your family just because you got married. Don’t be clueless, Davina p>
Davina didn’t lose her temper. Instead, she put on a look of helplessness, her voice small and shaky. “You’re right, you’re all right. I already regret it… I… oh!” She let her words trail off, dabbing at the corners of her eyes as if she might cry.
Suddenly, the angry relatives seemed uncertain, their bluster losing steam when faced with Davina’s apparent sadness.
One of her aunts frowned. “Davina, what’s wrong with you? You married into such a good family. We all saw the hotel, the decorations—everything looked amazing. How could you possibly be upset p>
Davina took a deep breath and let out another heavy sigh. “I thought Barnard really cared about me. I always felt so lucky, like marrying into the Carter family was the best thing that could ever happen. But his ex-wife… She just won’t leave him alone p>
She paused, then spoke even softer. “Even after their divorce, she keeps showing up, trying to get close to him. Today was supposed to be my wedding—the happiest day of my life. But she lured Barnard away, and he left me at the altar. How did things get so bad for me p>
She pressed her fingers to her forehead, then continued. “I used to think the hard times were finally over. I really thought I was getting out of all that mess. But now… after today… I don’t even know how to hold my head up anymore p>
“What? Are you saying your husband ran out on your wedding because his ex seduced him?” a woman in the crowd practically yelled.
Davina nodded miserably. “After the divorce, he’s always kept in touch with her. She’s cunning, knows all the tricks. If it wasn’t tearing me up inside, I wouldn’t even mention it—I don’t want to burden anyone else with my problems or upset you. But I can’t pretend everything’s fine. I thought if I married Barnard, I could help the family too. Now, the wedding didn’t even happen, and I’m too embarrassed to go back to the Carters. I really don’t know what to do p>
“Didn’t happen? Come on, Davina—there was a whole ceremony. You are a Carter now. Just go back to their house like you belong there p>
“Yeah, and if that ex-wife is really so shameless, we’re not about to let her off the hook,” another relative piped up. “Let us handle it. But you have to promise us, Davina. If we take care of this, there’d better be something in it for us p>
“Of course,” Davina said quickly. “You all saw the Carters—they’re not just any average family. If that woman wasn’t causing problems, I’d have no trouble settling in as Mrs. Carter. And when I do, I’ll definitely remember everyone who helped me p>
Her words left the group excited, every face lit up with greedy anticipation.
Surprisingly, the only calm person there was her mother, Carmen. She just gave Davina a complicated look but didn’t say a word.
Davina lowered her voice, sounding anxious again. “Just promise me, don’t make a huge scene. She’s still a woman, after all. Just scare her off a little, make her promise to stay away from Barnard. That’s all I ask p>
Her aunt puffed out her chest, ready for action. “Don’t worry, Davina. We can handle it. You just got married—go home and get some rest. We’ll let you know once it’s done p>
Davina nodded and waved down a taxi. As she left, she kept looking back, and right before getting in the car, she made sure to casually mention where Camilla’s office was, as if it had just slipped out.