Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 426

"I missed you too, Jasper. Are you making dumplings for me? Can I see?" Seeing the whole family waiting for her at Laguna Shores, a warm feeling blossomed in Camilla's chest, chasing away the anxiety that had clung to her in Valdoria.

At her question, Jasper's little face fell. He mumbled softly, "Mom, they don't look good. I'm not very good at it yet."

"That's okay, Jasper. As long as you made them, I'll love them. Will you let me see?"

Jasper finally took her hand and led her to the table. He pulled out a few misshapen dumplings he had put together, his expression still tinged with embarrassment.

Camilla smiled and ruffled his hair. "Jasper, these are great! See? The filling isn't spilling out, which means you did a perfect job."

"But the shape..."

"What about the shape? They look wonderful. There's no rule that says dumplings can only look one way. You did amazing.

Actually, I prefer them when they're creative like this," Camilla added.

Jasper's eyes instantly lit up. He tugged at her hand. "Then I'll make two more for you!"

"I can't wait," Camilla said softly. "Thank you, sweetheart."

After coaxing Jasper, Camilla turned her attention to Elise. Lance, ever perceptive, spoke up. "Elise, we've got things covered out here. Camilla just got back—why don't you two go catch up?"

Camilla led Elise back to her bedroom. As she searched for some comfortable loungewear, she asked, "Mom, how have you been feeling lately? Any discomfort?"

"I'm the same as always," Elise replied. "The doctor said I just need to keep my stress down. Don't worry, Camilla. With the family doctor checking on me every day, I'll be fine."

"And how are things with Lance? There hasn't been any friction, has there?" Camilla asked.

Truthfully, she was far more worried about Elise than Jasper. Jasper was a child; he was happy as long as people treated him well. Elise, however, was highly sensitive. She tended to overthink and struggled with deep-seated insecurities, always feeling like she wasn't good enough to associate with the Charles family.

Camilla couldn't help but worry that her mother was bottling things up.

Elise sighed. "Lance has been wonderful, and Darwin has been so sweet to Jasper. It's just..."

Camilla's expression grew heavy. When she first met Tessa, she had assumed the woman was a refined, elegant socialite. She never imagined Tessa would go to such extremes for Sarah.

To storm into Lance's home and cause a scene over her adopted daughter showed a complete disregard for Lance's feelings.

By the time Camilla changed and walked downstairs, Tessa was standing in the center of the living room. She wasn't screaming anymore, but was instead trying to reason with Darwin. "Dad, you've kicked Sarah out for days now. Haven't you cooled off yet?

The new year is right around the corner. Are you really not going to bring her home?"

"Haven't I told you a thousand times? Sarah is no longer a member of the Charles family. How we spend the holidays has nothing to do with her.

Do not come to me about this again. Even if you show up here every single day, my answer will be exactly the same.

And I suggest you wake up and face reality. Lance is your son. Spend your time caring about him instead of obsessing over some treacherous outsider."

Darwin had initially tried to save Tessa some face, but seeing how hopelessly stubborn she was, his words became sharper and far more blunt.