Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 46

Even as Barnard’s wife, Camilla couldn’t help but think the whole thing was shameless.

And then there was Davina.

A little girl had ended up with horrible burns across her whole body because of Davina’s mistake. She’d been lying unconscious in the ICU for months, and somehow, Davina walked around like nothing happened. No guilt, no sorrow. Since the day she arrived at the Carter house, she’d been pretending she didn’t ruin a child’s life.

Camilla paused, unsure if she even wanted to get involved.

Barnard hadn’t noticed Camilla come in. He was still talking. “If a million isn’t enough, just say how much you want. Anything, as long as you can forgive us.”

“Forgiveness?” The young woman’s voice was sharp. “Do you really think this is about money? My daughter’s entire future is ruined. And with that attitude, you’ll never get my forgiveness. That woman belongs in jail.”

“Barnard, what do we do?” Davina’s voice trembled, barely above a whisper. “I swear, I didn’t mean for this to happen. The little girl just grabbed the hot water bottle herself. I tried to help, but I was too late. I…”

The young mother cut her off, her tone steady and scathing. “Doesn’t your conscience hurt even a little? We saw the footage from the Charles’ place. You were glued to your phone, not even paying attention while my daughter woke up and wandered out of her room. And now you say you’re innocent? Fine. Let’s just do this by the book. We’ll go to the police.”

Unlike her furious husband, the woman spoke with perfect clarity. She was calm, almost cold, as if her heart had frozen from worry and heartbreak over her daughter’s condition.

If their little girl hadn’t been trapped in that hospital bed for so long, the couple would have already pressed charges, but dealing with their daughter’s injuries had consumed them. Now, after months of suffering, seeing Davina show up at the hospital in designer clothes, looking as if nothing happened, they finally reached their breaking point.

Panic flickered across Davina’s face. She grabbed Barnard’s sleeve, voice shaking. “Barnard, what do I do? I can’t go to jail.”

Barnard pulled her closer, trying to comfort her. “You won’t. Davina, I promise, as long as I’m here, nothing will happen to you.”

Their closeness was so unsettling that Camilla cleared her throat just to break the tension.

Barnard immediately took a step back, awkwardness written all over his face. “Camilla. You’re here. You’re so good at negotiating. Could you talk to them? Please? Ask what it’ll take for them to forgive us.”

“And besides all that, my mother is in the ICU because of you two. Dad didn’t want anything except for me to bring you home. What happens to Davina has nothing to do with me.”

Barnard tried again, desperate. “But Davina…”

“She has nothing to do with me,” Camilla cut him off. “My job is to take you home. If you want to stay, then call Dad and tell him yourself. I have to get back to the hospital. I don’t have time for this.”

Her composure startled even the young couple. They couldn’t believe how calm and blunt she was.

“Barnard, please, help me. Daisy is just a little girl. I can’t go to jail. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” Davina’s voice cracked. She looked like she was about to burst into tears. She clung to Barnard, desperate.

Camilla didn’t flinch. She acted like she hadn’t even noticed Davina’s dramatic display. Instead, she looked at the young couple, steady and focused. “Tell me what you want. What will it take for you to let me take my husband and leave?”