Chapter 94
If a nanny died in her employer’s house, it would make newspaper headlines and cause a scandal that would totally eclipse all the trouble she’d brought in the past few days.
Meanwhile, the other staff just couldn’t figure Barnard out. Why would he let Camilla leave, all for a woman who never seemed to get anything right and only made things worse?
Back when Camilla was here, the household ran like clockwork. Now, everything was a mess and nothing felt right.
Davina kept dabbing her tears, still sniffling.
Barnard, his nerves frayed, knelt by her side. “Davina, promise me you’ll never do something so reckless again. What would I do if anything happened to you p>
“I… I was just so scared,” Davina whispered. “You know I have nothing left. Agreeing to be with you was my all-in. So after all the trouble I caused, I was terrified you’d get mad and throw me away. If that really happened… I’d rather be dead, honestly p>
Barnard shook his head and reached for her hand. “I never said I’d leave you. Problems can always be fixed. See, things have worked out, haven’t they p>
Davina stared at the floor, her voice trembling with worry. “But… but I can’t do anything for you. I just bring you more trouble. Not like Camilla—she could handle anything. Even Laura and Calvin always talked about how capable she was. I can’t compare to her. I’m terrified you’ll stop loving me one day and just go back to her. I p>
Barnard didn’t let her finish. “That’s impossible, Davina. I’ve only ever cared about you. Camilla doesn’t matter, not to me p>
Davina’s voice came out in a wail. “But you married her! And you had Jasper with her p>
Barnard’s eyes darted away. For a second, his answer stalled, and something uncertain crossed his face.
Davina’s crying turned frantic. “Barnard, even if you don’t care about Camilla now, you two are married. She’s got Jasper, and your parents love her. How could I ever win out over that?
I know I was just humiliating myself from the very start. But you always treated me so well, I thought maybe if I fought for you I wouldn’t have any regrets. But now I see it clearly, I’ll never measure up to her. I can’t keep trying to compete.
You’re right, I still have Daisy. Maybe I should take her and go back home. You should stay with Camilla. She’s so great. You’ll fall for her sooner or later p>
“No way!” Barnard blurted. He grabbed her wrist. “Davina, I could never love Camilla. Not even a little p>
He drew a shaky breath before going on. “To me, she was only ever a way to an end, nothing more. When I first joined my family’s company, my dad wanted me to marry for business reasons. But my heart’s always been with you. All those rich girls my father liked—they were impossible to get along with. I couldn’t ever let you go through that. Camilla seemed normal, with a sick mom and a dad who’d disappeared, but she was smart and driven and good enough for my dad. That’s the only reason I married her p>
He finally said it. Camilla was just a cover, someone he picked on purpose to hide his real feelings for Davina, the family nanny. It was a secret he’d never told anyone until now. With Davina’s tears breaking him down, he let it all out.
He had started planning the moment he realized how much Davina meant to him. As the Carter heir, he knew his father would never accept him marrying someone like her. So he played along, got married to keep his father off his back, and waited for his chance.
Things were going according to plan now. He was sure it wouldn’t be long before he’d be able to finally bring Davina home officially.
Davina looked lost, her voice barely above a whisper. “But you still had Jasper with her. You two share blood. You think you can just walk away from that p>
“Davina, you’re thinking too much,” Barnard said gently. “It’s always been only you. Why would I ever touch her? She p>
He stopped himself, realizing he’d said too much already. His eyes flickered with calculation.
Davina’s eyes widened as she pieced it together. “So… Jasper isn’t really your son, is he? Then p>
Barnard squeezed her hand. “We can talk about the details later. What matters is, I’ve never been with anyone but you. Don’t worry about Camilla. She’s capable, I won’t deny it, but it’s not like she changed overnight. After all these years, I never felt a thing for her, and now that you’re finally mine, there’s even less reason to care.
Let’s stop thinking about all the bad stuff. It’s all behind us. Is there anywhere you and Daisy want to go? I can take time off and take you guys wherever you want p>
He glanced over his shoulder and spotted Daisy peeking through the half-open door. He beckoned her over, pulling her close.
The three of them sat together, a perfect picture of a family, while Daisy pressed her lips together, thoughts racing.
So the famous Jasper wasn’t really Barnard’s child after all. Did that mean Barnard actually thought she mattered more?