Chapter 66
“I can’t accept this. Please, take it back p>
“Camilla, you can refuse anything else, but not this charm. Daisy traded ten years of her life for it. Camilla, I’m begging you, don’t let all her sacrifice go to waste,” Davina pleaded, her tone desperate.
Daisy stood next to her, quietly holding the little box, wide-eyed and silent. Davina dropped to her knees, looking up at Camilla with tears streaking down her face.
She spoke as if Daisy meant the world to her, but if she truly cared about her daughter, would she have pushed her into this in the first place?
Camilla watched without a hint of emotion. Davina’s act just didn’t move her.
But Barnard was different. He couldn’t hide the sympathy in his eyes. He leaned forward, helping Davina up. “Davina, what are you doing? Get up, please p>
Davina shook her head. “Barnard, I know Camilla doesn’t want this. I shouldn’t pressure her, I know that. But I spent two days kneeling outside a temple with Daisy, just to get this. The master took ten years from Daisy’s life to make it. She’s my daughter. If her years can bring Jasper peace, I don’t regret it. But if it all just goes to waste p>
She didn’t finish her sentence, but her meaning was painfully clear.
It was the same old trick. She acted soft, tearful, full of regret, but she was still forcing their hand.
And every time, Barnard fell for it.
He turned to Camilla. “Camilla, you heard her. This is Davina’s sincerest gesture. Don’t be stubborn. Just take the charm, alright p>
“You just said yourself, it’s from Davina, bought with ten years of Daisy’s life. That’s too heavy for Jasper to carry. Maybe Daisy should keep it herself. If so much of her life is missing already, maybe if she holds on to it, that balance will come back to her in time. Who knows?” Camilla replied, keeping her voice even.
Even as she spoke, Camilla knew how ridiculous it sounded.
But if Barnard actually believed Davina’s story about praying for a charm, then maybe her own suggestion didn’t seem so outrageous.
“No, Camilla, the charm only works for Jasper. It’s made with his birth information—the master said it won’t have any effect unless he wears it. Please, Camilla, just accept it,” Davina insisted.
At that, Camilla’s face changed. Her voice hardened. “How do you know Jasper’s birth date and time p>
She didn’t usually believe in these things, but with Jasper, she could never be too cautious.
“Camilla, why are you reacting like this? It’s just a birth date. What’s the big deal if Davina knows it?” Barnard sounded annoyed, and just like that, Camilla understood—Barnard had told her.
With Camilla staring at him, Barnard quickly grabbed the box from Daisy and stuffed it into Camilla’s hands. “Davina is just being thoughtful. Don’t push her away p>
This time, Camilla didn’t refuse. Since it was made for Jasper using his information, she would have it checked out—no matter what.
Barnard looked satisfied. “That’s how it should be. There’s really no need to resent Davina. She has good intentions. You just keep misunderstanding her p>
Camilla forced a polite smile. “Alright. Thank you for thinking of Jasper, Davina p>
Daisy shifted, looking at Jasper and clearly wanting to talk to him. Jasper kept his gaze on the floor and ignored her completely.
Camilla could tell that letting them stay would only upset Jasper more, so she spoke up. “Davina, you just got back from overseas, didn’t you? Barnard, you’ve been with Jasper all day. Why don’t you take Davina home and let her rest p>
Davina tried to refuse. “It’s fine, Camilla. I can take Daisy home by myself. Barnard can stay here with you and Jasper p>
Camilla didn’t budge. “Barnard, will you please take her p>
Barnard looked surprised at how cooperative Camilla was but didn’t argue.
Once they were gone, Susan stepped up quietly. “Camilla, I hope you don’t mind me saying this… but that charm just gives me a bad feeling. Maybe you should just get rid of it p>
If Davina was really sincere, there were plenty of temples right here. Why say she went overseas? Why talk about sacrificing ten years of her daughter’s life? It made no sense.
Camilla replied, soft and calm, “Thank you, Susan. I’ll figure out what to do with it. Will you keep an eye on Jasper for me p>
She sat with Jasper a little longer, comforting him and telling him not to worry about what just happened. After she left the hospital room, she started calling people, looking for someone who actually knew about these things and could check the charm properly.
But no one in her circle had any ideas. In the end, Camilla just filtered out anyone connected to Barnard and posted a message on her social feed, asking for recommendations.
It didn’t take long before her phone buzzed with a reply.
It was from Lance. She hadn’t heard from him in ages.