Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 283

283 /544

Lance was so stubborn about it that Camilla knew she couldn’t win. In the end, she just let it go.

Sitting in the back seat, surrounded by quiet, she caught a glimpse of Lance’s profile in the rearview mirror. No matter how long she stared, that first rush of excitement just wouldn’t come. She’d really thought, after that messy divorce, her heart couldn’t be moved by anyone again.

But Lance was different. His feelings were intense, real, and impossible to ignore. She found herself pulled closer, even though part of her wanted to resist.

Barnard slipped into her thoughts. Back when he brought her to the Carter family, Calvin had made things difficult for her. Barnard never stood up for her in front of his father, just let her take care of everything on her own. Only after she’d handled it—and only if she looked properly upset—would he offer a few half-hearted words of comfort, pretending to sound gentle.

Looking back, Camilla almost had to laugh at herself. How could she have believed his sweet words? How could she have thought he truly cared? She couldn’t help but think she’d been so naive. Fake affection was obvious in hindsight. She’d just been too young, too willing to believe.

Jasper was falling asleep even before they reached home, his head nestled in her lap. Lance parked the car, quietly scooped Jasper into his arms, and carried him to his room. After tucking the boy in, he came back to Camilla.

There was a hint of worry in his voice. “Camilla, be straight with me. You’re not really going to leave me because of what the old man said, are you?”

Maybe he’d figured out how soft she could be. Lately, he seemed to know exactly how to play the vulnerable card in front of her. The truth was, Camilla just couldn’t say no to that quiet, pleading look.

Her lips pressed together. Her thoughts raced. Her heart felt wild and shaky, tinged with a little ache she couldn’t quite name.

Lance was so good to her. She didn’t want to give him up. But the secrets in her past felt like a landmine hidden deep inside—always ready to go off, always whispering worry into her head.

She looked up to meet the brightness in Lance’s eyes. “I’m not going anywhere,” Camilla said softly. “Not unless you’re the one letting go.”

They’d never even officially had a conversation about being together, but this was as clear as it got. She just couldn’t turn away from the honest, relentless way he loved her. Even with a whole world of uncertainty between them, distance was the last thing she wanted.

Lance pulled her in, holding her so tight it almost hurt. “Then you’re stuck with me,” he whispered. “I won’t let go, not ever. You better get used to always having me around.”

She didn’t push him away. For a while she just let herself sink into his arms, her thoughts spinning. Then, after a moment’s hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him too. It was a tight squeeze, almost desperate, like she was trying to steady her own uneven heartbeat.