Chapter 330
Sitting among that loud, crude bunch of Davina’s relatives, Barnard couldn’t help feeling that Davina fit right in with them. The thought made something sour twist in his stomach. He actually wished he could just leave.
Davina, oblivious, stood up and walked straight toward him.
Before coming here, Barnard had already figured out the situation. The bail paperwork for Davina was done. Since she hadn’t been directly involved, the police weren’t blaming her. The charges Camilla filed were really just against Davina’s family, so honestly, it should have been simple. He could have just taken Davina and left.
But, of course, things weren’t that easy.
Davina’s aunt got to her first, grabbing her by the arm. “Barnard, come on, we’re family, aren’t we? You ran away from your own wedding, remember? We just lost our tempers because of that. It’s your fault things got so out of hand. So you either get us all out of here, or you leave Davina to stay with us p>
Barnard didn’t even bother trying to argue. With an annoyed look, he leaned against the wall, saying nothing, waiting for the police to bring Davina out.
Her aunt spoke up again, voice full of threat. “Maybe you can leave us behind now, but this kind of small thing isn’t going to keep us locked up for long. When we get out, Davina better watch out p>
Davina had been about to walk away, but those words stopped her cold. A chill that had nothing to do with the weather spread through her chest.
She knew exactly what those people could be like. If they got it into their heads to keep coming after her, her life would be hell.
Biting her lip, Davina looked at Barnard, her eyes pleading. “Barnard, they’re still my family. Maybe we could p>
“Family?” The word spat out of Barnard’s mouth. “Davina, you know what they’ve done to you. Look at your face. They hit you again, didn’t they? You’re done with that old life, you don’t owe them anything. Let’s go p>
He didn’t spare a single glance for her relatives.
Seeing Davina hesitate, Barnard’s irritation only grew.
Davina tried again, voice trembling. “But, Barnard, they only did all this to try to protect me. Please, just… help them. I swear, when they’re out, I’ll get them to go home. They won’t bother you anymore, I promise p>
Her relatives saw Davina begging for them and jumped in, making all sorts of promises to Barnard. Some even tried to guilt him, saying they’d always looked after Davina, painting themselves as the perfect family.
In the end, Davina’s pleading wore him down. Barnard finally stepped up as their guarantor, just to put an end to all the noise. Without looking back at the crowd, he grabbed Davina by the arm and pulled her along, practically shoving her into the car.
The bitter winter air stabbed at them the second they stepped out of the police station.
Davina sank into the passenger seat, shivering so hard her teeth rattled. She kept glancing at the coat Barnard had just taken off, lying so close on the seat between them.
She reached for it, but Barnard, apparently annoyed, tossed the coat into the back seat without a word.
Her hand dropped. Her heart dropped with it. She stared at him, feeling raw and vulnerable, hoping he’d notice how upset she was. Instead, all she got was Barnard snapping, “Davina, what is it exactly that you want? Can’t you just be quiet for a couple of days? Do you have to make my life this complicated to be happy p>
Tears burned in Davina’s eyes. She was already feeling miserable, but hearing Barnard talk like that made it unbearable. Her voice shook as she choked out, “How can you say that to me? I haven’t done anything wrong. They’re the ones who misunderstood everything. And you… you disappeared on our wedding day. Do you really think you don’t owe me any explanation p>
Barnard started to say something, but the words caught in his throat. He hesitated, then turned the keys and started the engine. “Let me take you home first p>
But now that she’d started, Davina wasn’t going to let it go. “Barnard, just be honest with me. Is it Camilla? Are you still hung up on her? Is that why you regret marrying me? What about me, then? I gave up school for you… and Daisy, my little girl, she’s not even with me anymore. You told me I was the one you cared about most. You said you wouldn’t let me down. Was that all just talk p>
Each word seemed to punch a hole through Barnard’s chest, the weight of all his past promises pressing down on him.
His shoulders finally relaxed. His voice was softer now. “Davina, you’re overthinking things. You helped me so much. I’ll always be grateful for that; nothing could ever change it. Let me take you home p>
“But—” Davina started, only for Barnard to cut her off before she could bring up Camilla again.
“I shouldn’t have run out on the wedding. That was my fault. But Davina, your family’s put me through enough crap, too. Let’s just call it even between us. Can we please just never talk about it again p>