Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 302

Tessa’s hands curled into tight fists the moment Camilla finished speaking. Before she could react, the sharp sound of applause rang out behind her.

Annoyed, Tessa spun around and spotted Lance walking over, clapping in that almost taunting way only he could pull off. Without hesitating, he stepped beside Camilla, positioning himself between her and Tessa, his arm slipping protectively around Camilla’s shoulders like he had done before, only more obvious now. He looked straight at his mother. “Did you hear that, Tessa? Maybe you should stop using your own rules to judge what Camilla and I have. If you’re just here to criticize, please leave.”

Tessa’s voice rose. “Lance! Do you even see me as your mother? Is this how you talk to me now?”

“You’re the one making things hard for the woman I love, acting like my feelings don’t matter,” Lance replied, his tone calm but firm. “So, I’m just giving you the same treatment in return. Mom, I’d like you to go now. And tell everyone in the Charles family to stay away from Camilla.”

The words seemed to stun Tessa for a moment. “Lance, are you seriously willing to cut ties with your whole family over her?”

“I’ve said it before,” Lance replied plainly, “she’s the one I want to spend my life with. If you all give her the respect she deserves, then you’ll have mine too. But if you’re going to keep treating her like she’s not good enough, don’t expect me to come back.”

The room felt tight with tension and Tessa’s shoulders trembled as she tried to hold back her anger. Sarah quickly moved to her side, taking her arm. “Tessa, please, calm down. Lance is just upset right now. That’s why he’s being so harsh. I’m sure everything will blow over once he cools off. Let’s just go. You should rest a little.”

Tessa reached for Sarah’s hand. “Sarah, you’re coming with me.”

Sarah shook her head gently. “Tessa, I want to talk to Lance for a bit. You go ahead.”

Tessa hesitated, glancing between Sarah and Lance, then finally said, “You take good care of Sarah, Lance. If I hear she’s not being treated well, there’ll be trouble.”

His words hit hard. Sarah’s face went pale and her eyes brimmed with tears. She turned to Camilla, searching for any sign of blame. “Camilla, are you mad at me too? I never meant to cause trouble. I honestly just wanted to be your friend.”

She reached out to touch Camilla’s arm, but Lance brushed her hand away. “Camilla’s the one who was hurt here. Why are you crying? Enough with the tears. She doesn’t owe you her friendship.”

“Lance, Camilla, I…” Sarah choked, unable to stop her sobs. She glanced helplessly between them.

Lance stood, already pulling Camilla gently up with him. “Let’s go, Camilla. We’re heading home.”

Camilla hesitated, casting a look at Sarah, who looked every bit the princess in her new outfit, though her tear-streaked face took away some of the magic. Camilla knew this whole fiasco wasn’t entirely on Sarah and wanted to say so, but Lance was already leading her toward the door. “Come on, Camilla. Don’t bother with her. She messed up and needs to think about her actions.”