Chapter 34
Camilla didn’t say no. This wasn’t the time for a blowup with Barnard, not before she got all the evidence she needed.
“I’ll pick you up at the office after work tonight,” Barnard said, his tone gentle.
Once he’d soothed Camilla, he turned to Jasper. “Jasper, I had someone bring your favorite soup dumplings. Come to Dad, okay p>
Normally, Jasper would have lit up with excitement at his dad’s invitation. Today, though, he just stood quietly next to Camilla, looked up at Barnard, and stayed put.
Camilla spoke up. “You scared Jasper yesterday. He just needs a little space. Let him be for now p>
She knew Jasper wanted nothing to do with Barnard right now. She definitely wasn’t going to push her son to do anything he didn’t want.
Barnard’s face clouded over for a second, but he quickly hid it. Instead, he changed the subject to business, making small talk with Camilla.
That morning, they’d left home together, and now he’d shown up at the end of her shift with lilies and some health supplements, doing his best to play the attentive husband.
At the hospital, everything was already set up, thanks to Barnard’s arrangements.
They arrived just as Elise’s dinner was brought in. She looked much better than the last time they saw her.
Camilla sent the caregiver out, taking over with the bowl of soup. “Mom, let me help you with this p>
Elise’s eyes flicked between Camilla and Barnard. “Where’s Jasper? Why didn’t he come with you today p>
Normally, Camilla would have brought Jasper along. But things with Barnard were rocky lately, and she worried Jasper might say something in front of Elise that would add to her worries. So she hadn’t gone back to get him.
“Jasper’s got a new puppy,” Camilla explained, sounding casual. “He’s still obsessed, running around like crazy at home. Next time, I’ll bring him, I promise p>
“No need, really,” Elise said, waving it off. “I feel a lot better now. It’s not necessary for you to visit so much. I know work keeps you busy. Just seeing you and Barnard together makes me feel at ease p>
Elise had always been careful around Barnard, her manners a little too polite after all these years.
Barnard tried to coax her out of it. “Mom, how many times do I have to say it? You’re Camilla’s mother, so you’re my mother, too. You don’t have to be this formal with me p>
“I… I know you’re good to Camilla, and she’s lucky to have you. But we owe the Carter family so much. I just Elise’s voice trailed off, thick with unease.
Camilla and Barnard had always been a bit of a mismatch, at least on paper. Back when Barnard insisted on marrying Camilla against his family’s wishes, it put Elise in a position where she always felt she couldn’t quite stand tall.
Camilla cut in, her words careful but firm. “Mom, you don’t have to think like that anymore. I’ve been a Carter for years. I manage the company, bring in profits, do my part. We don’t owe them anything p>
Barnard couldn’t hide his surprise. He was used to Elise being overly humble, and Camilla never used to challenge her on it. Usually, she would just let Elise keep talking.
But today was different.
Before Barnard had a chance to process what changed, Camilla looked at him and asked, “Isn’t that right, Barnard p>
He hesitated, then followed her lead. “Yes, of course. We’re all family. Camilla is amazing, and she’s done a lot for us. You definitely don’t owe the Carters a thing p>
Elise shook her head. “It’s just not the same. If it weren’t for the Carters, you might not have finished college. I may not even be alive. We can never repay them. Don’t say things like that, Camilla. You need to be good to Barnard. Running the Carter business—that’s what you’re supposed to do p>
Camilla pressed her lips together, brow furrowing slightly.
Hearing her mom gush with gratitude left her feeling a little hollow inside. There was no way Elise would ever go along with Camilla’s plan to get divorced. Clearly, she’d have to take action first and explain it later.
Leaving the hospital, Camilla felt the weight of it all pressing down on her.
Barnard had always put on a flawless act. He was so good at it, even her mom believed everything was perfect between them.
Barnard noticed Camilla’s troubled look and tried to reassure her. “Still worried about your mom? Don’t be. I got the best doctors for her. She’s going to be fine. It’s still early, so why don’t we p>
He was interrupted by the ring of Camilla’s phone.
Susan was on the other end, sounding frazzled. “Camilla, when are you coming back? Davina is here, and she brought Daisy. I p>
Camilla’s mood soured instantly. “What are they doing there p>
She’d already moved out of Saddlebrook Estates with Jasper, and yet Davina still kept turning up, refusing to let go.
Susan mumbled something, not really able to explain, and Barnard overheard, his face shadowed with confusion.