The Wedding Bracelet Request

"If managing Damon and Lucas on your own is really too much for you, just ring Camilla instead," Evelyn added evenly over the line. "The two of them are always thrilled with whatever she does anyway."

Martha parted her lips to say more, only to hear the crisp click of the call disconnecting. Evelyn hadn't hesitated for a second. Left with no other way to settle the house, Martha took the gamble and dialed Camilla's number.

Hearing that Evelyn had stayed out all night and that Lucas wanted her over left Camilla practically glowing. She jumped at the opportunity right away. "Of course. I'm heading over now. Leave Lucas to me. I'll take good care of him."

Breathing a long sigh of relief, Martha finally stepped out from her quiet corner.

Damon fixed her with a sharp glare and snapped, "Who gave you permission to call her?"

Martha jumped. She opened her mouth to fumble out an explanation, only for Damon's icy voice to cut straight across her. "Did she own up to her mistake? When is she getting back here?"

Damon had actually spotted Martha slipping off to phone his wife earlier and deliberately let it slide. As long as Evelyn swallowed her pride and apologized, he was willing to let her come home.

"Mrs. Voss... she said she isn't coming back at all," Martha stammered, visibly trembling.

"If she won't come home, then fine! Let her stay gone forever. I don't want her for a mom anymore anyway!" Barely a beat after Martha finished, Lucas, worn out and miserable from a rough night, burst into loud wails, pinning everything squarely on Evelyn.

Hearing that only turned Damon's grim expression even more thunderous. Martha stood frozen, unsure what to do next, right as the front door opened and Camilla stepped inside.

Camilla arranged her features into deep worry the instant she crossed the threshold. "Oh, sweetheart, crying so hard like this. Yesterday put him through enough misery, and he still isn't feeling well."

Walking straight over to Lucas, she scooped him into her arms and murmured softly to quiet him down, pulling out a cloud of cotton candy she had brought specifically for him.

The treat worked fast on Lucas, and Camilla had him settled within moments. Before long, the boy was resting comfortably against her shoulder, happily eating the cotton candy while tears still clung to his cheeks.

Martha glanced over at the boy and hesitated. She remembered all too well how often Evelyn had reminded her about Lucas's fragile constitution and weak eyesight, along with the doctor's strict warning against giving him too much sugar.

Yet like any child his age, Lucas craved sweets. Evelyn had gone out of her way for years, spending hours making tasty sugar-free treats from scratch just to satisfy those cravings safely. Years of careful discipline had built those healthy habits, and now they were coming undone in seconds.

Martha started to speak up, then pressed her lips shut again. She had already seen firsthand how unreasonable Damon and Lucas turned whenever Camilla was involved; staying quiet was the safest way to keep herself out of trouble.

Just as she turned to slip quietly toward the kitchen, Damon spoke up behind her. Looking warmly at Camilla, he said gently, "Thank you for coming all this way so early. Name whatever you want as a reward, and it's yours."

"Well, then I won't be shy," Camilla teased lightly, tipping a bright smile up at him. "I'd love a bracelet."

"Done. I'll take you out later today, and you can choose whichever piece catches your eye," Damon agreed without a second's pause.

"Damon, I don't want something bought from a boutique," Camilla murmured softly, letting a trace of melancholy slip into her voice. "I want that emerald bracelet, the exact one I saw Evelyn wearing on your wedding day."

She lowered her lashes briefly before looking back up at him. "I missed out on so many years of your life. Wearing that piece would make me feel like I'm catching up on a little of the time we lost. Would you let me have it?"