Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 105

Thanks to Barnard’s quick thinking, the little scene at the party faded away without any real damage done.

Once the celebration was over, Camilla and Barnard were seeing off the last of their guests. They caught sight of Davina and Daisy, waiting in a quiet spot near the hotel entrance.

Both of them looked out of place. Daisy’s face was streaked with tears and she kept sneaking worried glances at Barnard, like she wanted his help but was too scared to ask for it. Davina looked worn out. The summer breeze had messed up her hair, and she stood with a tired hunch, a little older than she felt.

Barnard had been all smiles until that moment. As soon as he saw them, his whole face stiffened. He looked around in a panic, like he was hoping no one else had noticed.

Anxiety crept in, making his earlier act—the charming, fairytale host—all feel suddenly flimsy. He didn't dare to look Davina in the eye.

Camilla spotted them too. With a hint of sarcasm in her voice, she said, “Davina must really care about you. She’s been waiting out here the whole night just to wish you a happy birthday.”

Barnard reacted almost immediately, trying to explain himself to Camilla. “It’s not what you think. They just came to drop something off. I already asked someone to send them home. Maybe there was just a mix-up.”

A few reporters were still lingering, and the thought of Camilla blowing up in front of the cameras made Barnard even more nervous.

Davina noticed that most people had left and gently took Daisy’s hand. Before she could speak, Barnard jumped in, his voice tense. “Davina, didn’t I have someone take you home? Why are you still here?”

He couldn’t believe she didn’t get it. In his eyes, Davina was just the nanny; she had no right to keep showing up where he worked. Couldn’t she see that she didn’t fit in with these people?

Davina’s words tumbled out uncertainly. “I… Barnard, please don’t be mad. I just thought, since Daisy made trouble earlier, I should stay and see if there was anything I could help with. Maybe I could fix it, I…”

Her voice trailed off. She looked uncomfortable, her gaze drifting to Camilla, full of worry and self-doubt. She knew she wasn’t needed here. Barnard’s whole demeanor made it clear he didn’t want her around.

But that only made Davina more determined to stay.

Camilla was so perfect that Davina couldn’t help feeling small next to her. Even though Barnard always told her he didn’t care about Camilla, Davina needed to see it with her own eyes to believe it.

Trying to clear the air, Davina turned to Camilla. “Camilla, really, don’t misunderstand. There’s nothing between me and Barnard. Daisy just knocked over the cake and got his clothes dirty. That’s the only reason he changed.”

She didn’t know why Barnard was so insistent, but she was sure it had nothing to do with Jasper. The way Barnard had been acting lately had already taken a toll on their son. Camilla wasn’t about to let him disturb Jasper’s life any more than he already had.

Besides, they were going to be divorced soon. It was better for Jasper to see less of him, not more.

Barnard wouldn’t give up. “Then let me come home with you, just for a while.”

To him, the fact that Camilla had forgotten his birthday felt completely wrong. Even though they’d managed to sweep the drama under the rug at the party, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed. He needed to prove to himself that Camilla was still the same.

Davina spoke up, almost hopefully. “Camilla, Barnard’s had a tiring day. His wound really does need changing. Why don’t you come back with us to Saddlebrook Estates?”

The way she invited Camilla, it was as if she was the one running the house.

Camilla’s eyes grew colder. Barnard finally put his foot down. “Davina, I can take care of myself. Take Daisy home.”