Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 173

Elise finally gave in. She held Camilla’s hand and her eyes softened. “Camilla, you’ve always known your own mind. I’ve been sick for years and couldn’t help you much, but I know you’ve done more than enough for me. If the Carter family tries to use me against you, don’t you dare give in. I’m already so tired. If it comes to it, just let me go meet your father a little earlier.”

“Mom, please, don’t say things like that. Dad is just missing, that’s all. He could come back any day, and if he does, he’ll be heartbroken if he doesn’t see you here. We should stay together, all of us, waiting for him to come home,” Camilla said, gently patting her mom’s hand. Her words were soft, but there was a strength behind them.

She hated how Elise sometimes talked like she was ready to give up or sacrifice herself for Camilla’s sake. The truth was, Camilla hadn’t fallen yet. She was still fighting. No one around her was allowed to give up, not before she did.

That night, wanting to keep her mom calm, Camilla stayed in the hospital. She chatted with Elise for what felt like hours, only falling asleep curled up beside her. Lying there, Camilla realized she couldn’t even remember the last time she’d shared a bed with her mom. Back then she was busy with school, Elise had work, and they barely saw each other. Then Elise got sick and ended up in the hospital, and Camilla was running around trying to hold her place in the Carter family. Somehow, she’d forgotten how to just slow down and spend a quiet evening with her mom.

Now it hit her. No matter how exhausting or complicated things got outside, her mom’s arms were still the one place she could breathe. Just being close to Elise made everything inside her go still.

Camilla woke up the next morning to her phone blaring in her ear. The caller ID flashed Dahlia’s name, and when she picked up, she heard nothing but panic.

“Camilla! Where are you right now? Are you still at Brookfield Manor? Don’t move, just stay there, I’m on my way.”

“Dahlia? What’s wrong?” Camilla was groggy, but hearing the anxiety in Dahlia’s voice snapped her awake. Dahlia was never this worked up unless it was something huge.

“You mean you don’t know what happened? Text me where you are right now. I’m coming.”

Camilla barely got the words “I’m at the hospital” out before Dahlia hung up. The way she rushed had Camilla flipping through her phone, looking for a clue about what could be so urgent.

Then Elise grabbed her wrist, so tight her hand was shaking. “Camilla! Is this true? Jasper isn’t Barnard’s son? What’s all this about?”

Camilla froze, not even breathing for a second. She stared at her mom. “Mom, what are you talking about?”

Elise pushed her phone in front of Camilla’s face so she could see. “It’s everywhere online. They’re saying you cheated and had someone else’s child. What’s happening? Didn’t you and Barnard get married because of Jasper? Don’t tell me… did you do all this just to pay for my medical bills, and lie to the Carters to get into that family?”

And Jasper. She didn’t even know if Jasper had seen the news. She had to find him, right away.

The chaos hit her like a ton of bricks, making her chest ache. Her whole body felt heavy. She dialed Barnard’s number, heartbeat thudding in her ears. The phone rang and rang, then the call went to voicemail.

No answer.

Camilla’s hands trembled. Fury, hurt, and betrayal pulsed through her. Barnard… she never should’ve trusted him.

“Camilla, say something. What is going on? Don’t just sit there!” Elise pleaded.

The phone screen kept lighting up with message after message, every comment uglier than the last. People called Camilla a schemer, said she’d clawed her way into the rich family at any cost. They even dragged Jasper, saying he didn’t deserve anything he had, calling him an outsider who’d lived his life off lies.