Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 124

Barnard gently rested his hand on Camilla’s shoulder. His tone was calm, warm, the kind you use when you’re trying to hold someone together. “It’s alright, Camilla. I’ve found the best medical team. Elise is in good hands. Just try to breathe and stay calm. You can’t let yourself get worn down by this.”

Camilla leaned against the wall, fighting to keep her shaking legs from just giving out. She kept her stare locked on Davina, cold as ice, practically daring her to make a false move. No matter how much they tried to explain, the image of her mother passed out in Daisy’s room would not leave her head. There was definitely more to this than anyone was saying.

Davina hesitated, took a step closer, trying to sound supportive. “Camilla, this is the last thing any of us expected. Barnard’s right, though. You need to take care of yourself. You…” She kept talking, but her words died in her mouth as soon as she caught Camilla’s icy glare.

Ignoring Davina completely, Camilla waved over Elise’s nurse, asking her the details. The nurse looked nervous, repeating what little she knew. Elise had wanted to go on a walk by herself. And then, without warning, she fainted. Nothing out of the ordinary, the nurse said. Elise liked walking alone and everything had seemed totally normal.

It sounded like an accident, just bad luck, and apparently had nothing to do with Daisy or Davina. But Camilla didn’t buy it. Not for a second.

Minutes crawled by, the doors to the operating room never budging. Camilla sat down on one of those hard plastic chairs in the waiting area. She felt cold deep in her bones. Barnard sat with her for a while, then leaned in. “I’m going to get you something to eat. Try not to worry, Camilla. Elise is strong, she’ll pull through.”

Davina went with Barnard when he left.

As soon as they stepped inside Saddlebrook Estates, Davina’s voice shook. “Barnard, what are we supposed to do now? Elise… is she going to blame me for this? I… I…”

Barnard turned to her, his tone tough but tired. “Davina, just tell me what happened today.”

Davina’s eyes dropped, her words coming fast. “I was talking to Daisy. She got scared, thought you were going to leave us. I was trying to calm her down and I didn’t notice Camilla’s mom standing at the door until it was too late. She heard everything. Then she barged in, asking questions. I was scared she’d say something and mess up everything for you, so I… I didn’t mean for any of it to happen. She hit her head on the table. Do you think Camilla will figure it out?”

Davina’s whole body trembled. She sank down, hugging her knees, small and scared.

“Don’t say things like that, Davina. I’m not going anywhere. Try not to think too much. Go rest. I’ll bring Camilla her dinner,” Barnard reassured her.

When Barnard came back to the hospital, Camilla wasn’t alone anymore. Carol sat beside her, speaking gently, trying to make her feel better. But as soon as Carol saw Barnard, her demeanor changed.

“Barnard, where were you at a time like this?” Her words were sharp. “Camilla needs you here. Is anything really more important than being by her side right now?”

A flicker of guilt passed over Barnard’s face, but he quickly recovered and held out a box. “Camilla wouldn’t eat. I was worried, so I went home and had some of her favorite food cooked. Please, try to eat a little.”

He sat on Camilla’s other side, opened the box, and held it out to her. Carol eyed him, unimpressed. “If you just wanted to bring food, you could have sent someone else to do it. Did you really need to come personally? Feels like you’ve got another agenda here. What are you trying to hide, Barnard?”