23: The duchess

The car drove into the vast compound, and their butler came to open the door for them. Calvin left the wine for Camilla and carried the cake. Adam, their butler, grabbed his suitcase. The old man cracked a smile, and he knew that was the most they would get.

“Welcome. Your parents are waiting.”

Camilla darted him a sharp glance, and he rounded to her side, bumping his hip into hers. “Are you good, Cam? You look pale.”

“I’m fine.”

“Bible?”

“I’m not fine,” she admitted. “Later.”

Walking ahead to avoid Calvin asking more questions, his sister opened the front door and shut it before he entered. Adam laughed. He was used to her tantrums because he had been in the family for as long as he could remember. Adam opened the door for him, and Mum’s voice was the first he heard. He heard her laughter, and then Dad agreeing to what his wife said. He didn’t th