Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 229

Barnard quickly realized that Davina wasn’t the only one eager for the engagement photos—Calvin was just as impatient. The only reason Calvin agreed to the marriage at all was so he could flip the public narrative as fast as possible. These photos weren’t just important, they were mandatory. Not only did they have to take them, they had to make a big splash online, too. Calvin was all about the PR, even having a press release written in advance.

The whole piece spun a story of Barnard as the devoted lover, the man who had finally found true love. Calvin even twisted Barnard’s past marriage to Camilla, framing it as something Barnard had been forced into. He ended the statement with a heartfelt apology, saying he never should have ignored Barnard's feelings and forced him into an unsuitable marriage. He swore he was sorry and promised to make things right. The whole thing was crafted to minimize the mess and make the situation sound less dramatic than it really was.

As soon as Barnard got home, Calvin shoved the script into his hands and demanded he memorize it. Barnard stayed up all night, going over it again and again. The second morning came, and Calvin woke him up early for styling, then packed him off with Davina for their photoshoot.

This was the Carter Group’s best chance to turn things around. Calvin took it so seriously that he asked Laura to personally supervise Davina’s dress. The task was no small feat for Laura. Even if Calvin agreed to the wedding on paper, he still secretly looked down on Davina. For these engagement photos, which were basically just a marketing stunt, he had a long list of requirements. Most important, the couple couldn’t look mismatched at first glance. He was pretty much saying Davina's whole vibe just didn’t fit in with the Carter family.

All that pressure landed on Laura’s shoulders. She tried to help Davina look younger, but she couldn’t wear bold colors well. Laura wanted a classy look, but a fitted gown didn’t suit Davina’s figure. Even dignity was tough to pull off—Davina’s posture just wasn’t that great. After hours of agonizing, Laura played it safe and picked a simple white dress that fell below the calves. No flashy design, barely any accessories, but at least it meant she couldn’t go wrong.

On her way out, Laura double-checked with the stylist, asking for a very natural look, simple hair and makeup. But Davina was not impressed. The whole stripped-down style made her feel like Laura didn’t want to spend money on her. She was about to be Mrs. Carter. This was a big deal—her engagement photoshoot—there was no way she was settling for basic.

As soon as Laura left, Davina started arguing with the stylists, demanding something more glamorous. Money was the least of her worries, knowing Barnard was nearby in the men’s dressing room and would settle up anyway.

When Barnard finally saw her, Davina was decked out in a bright red gown, towering ruby earrings, and a giant emerald necklace that looked comically huge. Her makeup was next-level drama—everything from her eyeshadow to her lipstick screamed bold and over-the-top. Next to Barnard’s white suit, she looked totally out of place.

This studio was a big deal in their social circle. He and Camilla had even shot their wedding photos here five years ago. The photographer was new, but being in the same place with Davina made guilt twist in Barnard’s chest. He felt like everyone in the room was whispering about him, mocking his decision to leave behind his young, beautiful, and ethereal wife for someone loud and flashy, someone so obviously mismatched.

The photographer picked up on Barnard’s distraction right away and spoke up. “Sir, could you move a little closer to your fiancée? Maybe put a hand on her, look at her a little more deeply. We need to catch some real chemistry here.”

Honestly, the photographer had thought they looked off together as soon as they walked in, but it was his job to coax the best out of every couple.

“Barnard…” After the nudge, Davina realized Barnard’s mind was somewhere else. She quickly called his name and he finally turned, forcing himself to meet her eyes.