Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 177

That first question completely caught Camilla off guard.

She stared at Jasper, not sure how to respond. After a moment, she finally said, “You’re Mommy’s son, Jasper. You…” Her words trailed off, uncertain and vague.

“Mom, I’m asking who my dad is,” Jasper said, cutting her off. His eyes were wide and searching, desperate for some kind of answer.

He’d seen the nasty things people were saying online, heard the hurtful things whispered outside their door. It all swirled in his mind, confusing and overwhelming. He didn’t want to believe the cruel rumors about his mother, but it was true that Barnard had never really liked him. The more he thought about it, the more those doubts grew. Every time Camilla met his gaze, he tried to form the right words, but couldn’t quite bring himself to ask the hardest questions.

“If Dad isn’t really my dad, then who is? Why did you two even get married?” His voice was small but stubborn. “Why did you have me?”

He was only five, sheltered by Camilla for his whole life, but today had shaken his whole world. With all the cruel talk swirling around, he felt like everything he knew was falling apart. He just needed the truth.

Camilla knew kids spoke their minds, but each word felt like a punch straight to her heart. The truth was, even she didn’t know what really happened. If she hadn’t been so naïve, so completely in the dark, she’d never have married Barnard at all.

Camilla stayed silent, and Jasper started to panic a little. “Mom, you always tell me to speak honestly. So why won’t you tell me? I just want to know who my dad is. Is that so wrong?”

Jasper was lost in everyone else’s gossip and pain, barely noticing how worn down Camilla looked. Dahlia stood nearby, worry written all over her face, but she had no idea how to help.

Right then, a lazy, drawling voice broke through. “That’s me. I’m the runaway dad. Camilla only married Barnard because I disappeared.”

Lance wandered into the room, settling himself against the doorway, eyes fixed on Jasper. “Crying won’t get you anywhere, little man. If you’re really tough, you should get up and punch me, then work on growing up stronger.”

It was the kind of thing that almost begged for a fight.

Jasper froze, shock making his eyes go wide as he stared at Lance.

“Lance, this isn’t your business,” Camilla said quickly. “Don’t make things up.”

“Come on, Camilla. Things are a mess already. There’s no point hiding it anymore. You should go get some rest. I’ll talk with him,” Lance told her.

He glanced at Dahlia, giving her a look that clearly meant she should help Camilla out.

Barnard had left so many scars and used such cruel tactics. Camilla was left hurting, stuck in his shadow. Dahlia hated seeing her friend trapped like this. She just wanted Camilla to have someone reliable, a safe place to land, or even someone strong enough to hold Barnard at bay.

Honestly, Lance seemed perfect for that.

Anyone could see he had a soft spot for Camilla. He was kind to Jasper too, treating him as if he were his own son. The Charles Family sat at the very top of their social circle, out of Barnard’s reach. And where Camilla was quiet and reserved, Lance was bold, the type to do things she could only dream about.

In every way, they seemed like a great match.

“Dahlia, stop teasing me,” Camilla said with a weary smile that barely touched her eyes. “What could I possibly feel? All I want right now is to get through this and cut things off with Barnard, for good.”

Dahlia noticed the bitter curve of Camilla’s lips, and it stung her, too. She could see her friend’s confidence had taken a hit. That wasn’t the Camilla she used to know. Camilla was convinced she didn’t deserve someone like Lance, shutting herself down before there was any chance to hope.

Dahlia let the topic drop. Instead, she poured a cup of warm water and wrapped her hand gently around Camilla’s. “Whatever happens, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll always be by your side.”