Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 238

Barnard hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah, Camilla, that’s right. I never wanted to divorce you. I called Pamela, it’s true, but I just wanted to give you some space, let you cool down. Splitting up with me, taking BLC away from the Carter family, none of that helps you. We’ve been married for years, living together under the same roof. I’m fine with Jasper too. I can give him everything he needs. If you ended up with someone else, there’s no guarantee they’d accept him. Honestly, we’re actually the best match for each other. We’re here in Ostrovia, no one else around to mess with your head. You should really think about where we stand.”

“Are you serious right now?” Camilla’s voice was sharp, barely contained. She just couldn’t believe Barnard could act like the past never happened, sweeping every wound aside with a couple of sentences.

“Barnard, I’m calm. I worked all this out a long time ago. The divorce agreement is very clear,” she said, her tone steady but cold. “Please stop dragging this out. When we go back, let’s just get it over with. Sign the papers with me. We can at least leave things with a little dignity, okay?”

“No. I said I don’t want a divorce. All this—filing the paperwork, the agreement—none of that was my choice. You tricked me, I…”

“There’s no point talking about that now,” Camilla cut in. “Davina was pregnant because of you, then she lost the baby. She’s still waiting for you at home. The Carter family just went through that total circus with the alien scandal. Your parents are bound to make things hard for her. You should be with her right now, standing up for her. Not flying out here and hassling your ex-wife. Remember, Barnard, she’s the one you said you loved, the one you went out of your way to hurt me for. You did everything you could, even used the dirtiest moves to get to me. Now it’s time you stood by her side.”

Her voice was frost, pressing hard on Barnard’s conscience. He suddenly remembered leaving Davina at home, sobbing on his arm and begging him not to go. He remembered how he’d schemed against Camilla, how back then, his heart only ever twisted in Davina’s direction. At the time, he hadn’t thought anything he did was wrong. Now, looking at Camilla’s cold eyes, all he felt was regret—a heavy, bitter regret that stuck in his throat.

He’d hurt Camilla so deeply, and now the distance between them was like a canyon, too wide to cross.

“Quit playing these cheap games, Barnard. If you ever want me to respect you again, at least try to act decent. And don’t forget to show up and sign those divorce papers,” Camilla said.

She couldn’t even look at him, his shock and heartbreak on full display. As she turned to go, Barnard reached out, grabbing her wrist. “Camilla…”

“Camilla! You’re finally back!” Ada’s voice rang out, relief and excitement mixed together. “Dahlia and Jasper have been calling you nonstop… and Lance too. You really need to call them back.”

Ada had just come out of the hotel and rushed over, barely glancing at Barnard.

Camilla pulled her hand out of Barnard’s grip. “I don’t have time for your nonsense. Next time we meet, it’d better be at the civil office.”

Back in the room, Ada couldn’t stop fussing. “Camilla, what happened today? Why wouldn’t your phone connect? And why is Barnard here, of all people? He didn’t cause trouble, did he?”

Pamela’s business was hers alone—she didn’t want to bother Lance any more than she had to.

The wind seemed quieter on his end, and his voice softened a little. “Is that everything?”

“Of course it is. You can hear my voice, right? I’m perfectly fine,” Camilla assured him.

“That’s just like you. You hit a snag, you disappear and solve it all by yourself. No calls for help, nothing. Camilla, I know you’re independent, not like other women, but… can you please remember people care about you?” His tone was stern, but there was a tenderness under all that bluster, the rush of wind still coming through the line.

A stab of guilt tightened in Camilla’s chest. She’d made arrangements with everyone before leaving… except Lance.

He spoke again, a little quieter this time. “Camilla, I get it, you don’t have to return my feelings right now. But can you try not to treat me like a stranger?”