Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 28

If Camilla’s friend was involved…

Barnard glanced over his shoulder at Davina, who was playing with Daisy in the living room. There was a trace of caution in his expression.

Camilla had been in the hospital the past couple of days, so Snow stayed with Lance for a bit. Now that things had finally settled down, she reached out to Lance, ready to bring Snow home.

Lance asked for her address, saying he’d have someone drop Snow off once he wrapped up work. Camilla just assumed he’d send a housekeeper or a driver. She didn’t give it much more thought.

But just as she finished cooking dinner that evening, she heard a knock at the door.

She opened it to find Lance himself standing there, holding Snow. He was so tall his head almost reached the top of the doorframe. Snow looked absolutely tiny nestled in his arms.

“Snow! Lance!” Jasper rushed over as soon as he caught sight of them, practically bouncing with excitement.

Lance handed him the dog and grinned. “Really? I show up to deliver Snow myself, and I’m still not as important in your eyes?”

Jasper’s cheeks turned a little red. “No, it’s not like that. It’s just… Snow’s my puppy. I got too excited, that’s all. I—”

Lance ruffled Jasper’s hair with a finger and stepped right inside like he’d done it a hundred times before.

The house had always felt spacious with just Camilla and Jasper. With Lance there, though, it suddenly felt much smaller.

Camilla tried to regain her composure. “Lance, what brings you by in person?”

“I happened to be nearby for work,” Lance replied. “But why’d you suddenly move out? I sent the divorce papers to Saddlebrook Estates today. Does that mean you didn’t get them?”

“I did,” Camilla said. “But Barnard threw them out.”

“He threw them out?” Lance looked mildly disappointed. “So you’re not going to divorce him after all?”

Camilla didn’t hold back. “I’m planning to sue him, actually. I’m collecting evidence right now, but—”

Lance cut her off, amused. “Even better. You go on the front lines, Miss Hedgehog, and I’ll watch over our treasure.”

Camilla opened her mouth to say she didn’t need his help, but he just kept going. “Come on, I’ve already helped you so many times. If you start this ‘game’ and don’t let me join, isn’t that a little stingy? Miss Hedgehog, not everyone’s as cunning as Barnard, you know. Some of us just want to enjoy life while we can. There’s no need to always keep your quills up. At least we want the same thing… maybe try trusting me for once?”

She’d never really understood what that meant before, but after meeting Lance, it kind of clicked.

He was… well, calling him a ‘social bulldozer’ might actually be putting it mildly.

Since he’d already taken Jasper to wash up, there wasn’t much else for her to do but grab another plate and invite Lance to join them for dinner.

By the time she finished serving the food, Lance and Jasper were back from the bathroom. Jasper was the type to be shy around new people, but it was obvious even to Camilla that he had warmed up to Lance in no time.

“Mom, Lance said he has a dog too, but it hasn’t come home yet. He said it can play with Snow one day. Can I go play with Lance when I want?” Jasper asked eagerly.

Camilla tried to gently explain. “Jasper, Lance is really busy, and you’re about to start kindergarten. There’ll be plenty of other kids to play with there, you—”

“Miss Hedgehog, don’t make decisions for me. I’d love to hang out with our little treasure,” Lance said with a smile, taking the rice from Camilla and setting it in front of Jasper.

That “our treasure” slipped out so casually, but the whole atmosphere in the room shifted. There was something almost intimate now.

Camilla frowned and watched Lance, who was already chatting easily with Jasper, words catching in her throat. She suddenly realized—she’d never met anyone quite like Lance before.