Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 244

No matter how messy her marriage turned out to be, Jasper was still the best thing that had ever happened to her. She’d never once regretted bringing him into the world.

While Jasper quietly fed himself, Dahlia finally turned to Camilla. “You texted me earlier about going to the civil affairs office with Barnard. How did it go? Did you get it done?”

Camilla sighed, her shoulders drooping. “Not yet. I’m going to try again tomorrow. This time, I’m not letting him get away without signing the papers.”

It was already too late in the day to do anything else. Tomorrow, she’d swing by Saddlebrook Estates herself and pick up Barnard’s documents. She refused to let him drag this out any longer. As for Davina, Camilla used to think she must have had some special grip on Barnard’s heart, but it turned out the real problem was Barnard and his own rose-tinted memories. All those nostalgic feelings from childhood had made him see Davina as someone she wasn’t. Now that the myth had faded, he didn’t even seem to care about her. And Davina, all she did was cry and throw fits. She was absolutely no help at all.

Camilla realized this divorce was going to be something she’d have to take care of herself.

When Dahlia heard all this, she slammed her hand on the table. “Is he seriously that messed up? He doesn’t even like you. What’s the point of dragging his feet like this? He was always going on and on about his precious ex, and now that the Carter family finally gave in, he still acts like this?”

By now, Camilla was no stranger to Barnard’s unpredictable ways. “Let’s just stop talking about me. What about you and Magee? Has he shown up again? What does he want now?”

“Oh, you know how he is. He says he broke off his engagement. He keeps apologizing, saying he wants to make things right. As if one apology could wipe everything clean. Like I’m that naïve. Magee’s friends with Barnard, after all. I’d have to be out of my mind to give him the time of day,” Dahlia said bitterly.

Camilla watched her friend’s over-the-top reaction and felt a twinge of worry. She lowered her voice. “Dahlia, Pamela is coming back.”

Dahlia’s expression changed instantly. All the bravado disappeared from her face. She gripped the table edge tighter. “Are you serious?”

“I ran into her in Ostrovia. She’s the reason Daniel’s project hit a snag. She said she’s coming back home,” Camilla said.

“Is Pamela really coming back?” Dahlia asked, her lips trembling just from hearing the name. She looked so vulnerable that it reminded Camilla of the time Dahlia had dropped out of school and fallen into depression. She’d hidden away in Camilla’s arms, lost and scared, just like now.

“Don’t be afraid, Dahlia. As long as you don’t talk to Magee, she’s not going to come after you. Right now, she’s got her sights set on me. I’m not going to let her get anywhere near you,” Camilla promised.

“Camilla, am I just making things harder for you?” Dahlia whispered.

“Don’t ever say that. We’re friends, aren’t we? You’ve helped me more times than I can count. Pamela coming after my business was always going to put us on opposite sides. I’m only worried about you, Dahlia. I want you to stay clear-headed, alright?” Camilla said.

She knew she could keep Pamela at bay and protect Dahlia. Her only fear was that Dahlia would get swept back up in her feelings and end up trapped all over again.