Divorce Him, Then Dazzle novel Chapter 46

Latonia honestly worried about Camilla. If Lambert wanted to meet with her alone, Latonia couldn’t help but wonder if he might put Camilla at risk. Maybe it was unfair to doubt Lambert, but until she knew the whole story, Latonia was determined to look out for her client.

She reached out to Camilla, who didn’t hesitate to say yes.

When Camilla saw Latonia’s message, she was already on her way out of the coffee shop. So much had gone down over the past couple of days. She just couldn’t bring herself to care about the competition anymore. Honestly, until all of this got sorted out, she felt completely stuck.

She went back to Catheleen’s cozy apartment, tidied up the mess of clothes, and did a good sweep around the place. Since they’d become friends, Camilla and Catheleen had grown genuinely close. Camilla could tell right away that Catheleen came from a good family. She was always so bright, full of life, and almost naïve, the kind of girl you knew had been protected and cared for her whole life. Yet, she never once lost her temper, and she was always so sweet to Camilla.

Sometimes, Camilla thought if she’d had a little sister, she’d be just like Catheleen.

Just after eleven, Camilla got changed and stepped outside. She rarely bothered with makeup, and with her eyes still a little puffy, there was no way she was putting anything on her face today. She got cold easily, so she bundled up in a thick down jacket over her black cashmere sweater.

She ordered a ride, and while she was in the car, Barbara called.

“How are you today, Camilla?” Barbara’s voice came through, soft and warm, like always. She sounded so caring, honestly like the perfect big sister.

“I’m fine,” Camilla answered, her tone cool and distant. “No need to worry about me. I can handle things on my own.”

“How could I not worry?” Barbara pressed gently. “After what happened, you must feel awful. Honestly, it’s such a humiliating situation…”

“Have you said enough?” Camilla cut her off, a little sharply. “I’m not upset, and I’m not ashamed. I didn’t do anything disgraceful, so don’t say this stuff to me again. It won’t get to me.”

“Camilla, what is that supposed to mean?” Barbara’s voice trembled, like she was on the edge of tears. “I’m just worried about you. Why would you twist it like this?”

“You know exactly what I mean,” Camilla replied, running out of patience. “Let’s just leave it. Don’t call me unless it’s really important.”

“I’m your sister,” Barbara said, starting to cry. “Is it so wrong for me to care?”

“I appreciate your concern,” Camilla said, giving a sad little laugh. “But I don’t need it anymore.”

Barbara always felt like there was something between her and Lambert, like they were just one honest conversation away from taking that step. But the right moment never seemed to come. Maybe it would someday, but as the days ticked by, she just couldn’t wait any longer.

So that morning, she took a chance and messaged him, telling him that someone had confessed to her the night before, standing there with flowers and gifts. Lambert hadn’t replied all day, which had her nerves absolutely frayed.

Turns out, he was just caught up in work.

She fired off her reply, then immediately got another message from him.

“Your business comes first for me,” he said.

Barbara’s heart skipped a beat.

At that moment, Camilla arrived at the restaurant.