Chapter 39
Camilla walked in after Laura, with Jackson trailing close behind. In Jackson’s hand was a ruler, and he held it so everyone could see.
“Camilla, this is what Calvin wants. Please don’t take it personally, just hold out your hands,” Jackson said without beating around the bush.
“Why?” Camilla asked, a bit of defiance in her voice. She honestly didn’t think she’d done anything wrong. Even if Calvin was mad about those photos, it was Barnard who’d given him a reason to be.
Jackson looked at her. “As the Carter family’s hostess, you couldn’t keep your own husband in check, you let a scandal explode in Calvin’s face, and you actually tried to cover it up for him. Are you seriously saying you did nothing wrong? Show me your hands, or do you want Calvin to handle it himself p>
Laura gently tugged Camilla’s sleeve. “Camilla, just listen. Don’t ask questions, let Jackson get it over with. If you drag this out, it’ll just be worse when Calvin gets home. Do as I say, sweetie, I’ve already got some medicine ready for you. You’ll feel better after we put it on p>
Camilla’s jaw clenched. She stared at the ruler, the whole thing so ridiculous it almost made her laugh. It was the twenty-first century, and yet here she was, about to be punished like a child. She refused to accept what Jackson said as her fault. She wasn’t going to say sorry for something she didn’t do.
“Just behave, Camilla. Don’t make your father angry,” Laura urged, barely keeping her own nerves steady. When Camilla hesitated, Laura grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand forward.
Jasper darted forward, snatching at Laura’s arm. “No! Don’t hurt Mommy! Let go of her p>
Laura tried to soothe him. “Jasper, be good and step aside. Grandma is only doing what’s best for Mommy p>
Jackson stepped in, calm but firm. “Please just cooperate. We wouldn’t want Jasper getting hurt by accident p>
He’d already raised the ruler. Camilla realized she was trapped. With Jasper here, he might get caught up in this if she resisted. She let out a shaky breath and finally gave in.
“Fine, I’ll do it. But please, Mom, take Jasper out of the room p>
“That’s better, Camilla. Don’t be scared, it’s only a little punishment. I’ll take care of you after with some ointment, you’ll be just fine,” Laura promised, her gentle tone making it clear she had no doubts about Calvin’s orders.
Once Laura carried Jasper out, Camilla laid her hands out in front of Jackson.
Ten stinging smacks to each palm. Twenty in total. By the end, Camilla’s hands were flaming red and numb. She pressed her lips together and blinked hard, refusing to show any weakness, no matter how much it hurt.
Jackson set the ruler down, but not before tossing out a warning. “Camilla, since this is your first time, I went easy on you. Remember this. Don’t ever try lying to Calvin again p>
An icy wave moved through Camilla, colder than anything she’d felt before. For the first time, she thought the Carter family’s traditions were just pathetically backward.
The moment Jackson was done, Laura let Jasper go. He ran straight to Camilla, sobbing. “Mommy, are you okay? Let’s leave. I don’t want to stay here p>
Camilla knelt to his level. “I’m alright. Don’t worry, Jasper, it didn’t really hurt. Jackson was just playing, see? He didn’t hit hard p>
“Really?” Jasper’s little voice trembled.
“Really.” She managed a small smile and stroked his head, keeping her own tears hidden. Laura called a maid to take Jasper away, then came back, holding a tube of cream.
“Come here, Camilla. Sit down so I can put some medicine on you. It works wonders, you’ll feel better soon. Don’t be unhappy with your dad, he just cares too much about our family’s reputation,” Laura said, chattering on, not realizing Camilla wasn’t answering at all.
After the ointment, lunch was served at the Carter house, and Barnard was finally allowed back in. The meal dragged on in unbearable silence, the tension thick as fog. Laura was the only one who spoke now and then, asking Barnard in a careful, cautious way if he was alright. Camilla’s hands burned and ached, so much she could hardly hold her chopsticks. She barely got a few bites down, just waiting for Calvin to let them go.
Right as she started to head for her own car with Jasper, Calvin stopped her. “You’re in no shape to drive today. Go with Barnard, and I’ll have your car brought home later p>
There was no room to argue. Laura agreed, nodding her encouragement, and Camilla simply didn’t have the energy to fight. She got in Barnard’s car.
They hadn’t gone far when Camilla said, “Stop the car. I’ll get out and take a cab with Jasper p>
“Camilla, do you really have to be like this?” Barnard looked at her in disbelief. “We already sorted out that whole thing. Davina didn’t mean for it to happen. Why’d you go running to my parents for help? Did you really need to make them pick sides p>
“Go running to them?” Camilla murmured, staring at her swollen, aching hands. The cold inside her just kept spreading. If Calvin had truly been willing to side with her, would she be sitting here with burning palms and a heart full of humiliation?
Barnard pressed on. “You’re the one who insisted on moving out. I explained everything about Davina, didn’t I? If you’re still unhappy, why not just tell me? Why drag my parents into it p>
“So, in your mind, all of this is my doing? Are you saying I took those photos, too?” Camilla asked quietly.