Chapter 79
These past few weeks, Camilla had been holding it together with sheer stubborn will. But the moment she heard Elise’s gentle words, her defenses gave way. Nothing meant more to her right then than finally having her mother’s understanding.
Her vision blurred, her eyes glistening. Camilla couldn’t even remember the last time she’d felt this vulnerable.
Elise reached out, resting her hand gently on Camilla’s shoulder. “Camilla, I’ve always known you’re extraordinary, and you know your own mind. Whatever you want to do, go ahead. I’ll be right here, supporting you p>
For so long, Elise had been focused on repaying the kindness the Carter family had shown them. She thought the fact that Barnard liked Camilla, and that the Carters cared for them, was a rare blessing they could never hope for again. But today, she finally realized that, all the while she’d been clinging to gratitude, she’d been hurting her daughter over and over. Ever since Elise had gotten sick, every burden seemed to fall on Camilla’s shoulders. But Elise kept telling herself that Camilla married into a good family and had a husband who cared for her, so she didn’t need to worry. She never really paid attention to how Camilla was feeling.
With her mother’s understanding, Camilla’s worries faded away, just a little.
The contract from Barnard arrived soon after. Once she double-checked everything and signed her name, Camilla went back to work. She picked out a necklace, something elegant that would make a perfect gift, and had it customized with Carol’s initials.
Before the party, she showed the necklace to Barnard. He never doubted her taste, and this was no exception.
As usual before a big event, Barnard had arranged everything—dress, jewelry, even showing up early to pick her up from work. That day, though, when his car pulled up to the building, Camilla felt nothing—no excitement, no flutter of nerves, only the tired resignation of fulfilling yet another obligation.
Barnard drove himself this time. They sat together in the car, only a small space between them, but it felt like a chasm neither could cross.
Jasper, bored at the hospital, had taken to messaging Camilla through his smartwatch, asking when she’d be home. Camilla quickly typed out a few replies to assure him she’d be back soon.
Barnard glanced sideways, his eyes drifting to her phone screen. “Camilla, we’re almost at the party. Can you try to focus p>
He’d been texting her occasionally these last few days, or dropping by the hospital. Lately, though, Camilla always seemed distant. Maybe he was running out of patience, or maybe he’d just gotten busy. Whatever it was, he hadn’t reached out for three whole days. In all their years of marriage, things had never felt this cold between them. Even sitting face-to-face, neither knew what to say.
Camilla barely looked up. “You’re the one driving. What am I supposed to focus on p>
Barnard’s jaw tensed. “I mean for the Black family’s gala. Everyone important will be there. I know you misunderstand me. But I don’t want our personal problems to become gossip for others. As my wife, I hope you can get into the right mindset, and at least put on a good front tonight p>
He still thought everything between them was just a simple misunderstanding.
Camilla finished comforting Jasper, set her phone aside, and met Barnard’s eyes for a moment. “Don’t worry. I signed the contract. I’ll play my role for everyone tonight p>
That was her way of saying there was no point pretending when it was just the two of them.
Barnard felt like he’d punched a pillow—frustrated, with nowhere for his anger to land. “Do you really have to talk to me like this? We’re husband and wife. Does everything between us have to be so transactional p>
Camilla didn’t answer. She just turned to the window, watching the city blur past. The neon lights flashed, catching on the blue diamonds in her earrings and casting little arcs of light across Barnard’s face.
They stopped at a red light. Barnard looked over at her. She was wearing a blue silk dress that shimmered under the streetlights. Her skin was pale, almost luminous. There was something even colder about her now, a chill that went deeper than just the way she looked.
Her gaze stayed locked on the world outside—she didn’t even glance at him. Barnard knew, deep down, he never really loved Camilla. He had chosen her to please his family, to fill a role. But now that she wasn’t looking at him, wasn’t waiting for his attention, a sharp bitterness twisted inside him.
They arrived at The Black Group’s hotel. Barnard was still lost in thought as he got out. But before he could shake off his mood, Camilla had already taken his arm, all smiles, posing like the perfect couple, as though none of the tension in the car had ever happened.
She looked exactly like the gentle, loving wife everyone expected. But Barnard knew it wasn’t real anymore.
Everything she did now was just for show.