Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 1

"Lottie, are you sure about this? You really want to transfer to Riverspire Medical Center?"

Dean Chase held Charlotte Sterling's transfer application, looking at her with open surprise.

Charlotte's lashes trembled as she forced a faint, bittersweet smile. "I've made up my mind."

Seeing she wouldn't be swayed, Dean Chase let out a resigned sigh and finally signed the transfer papers.

When Charlotte stepped out of the dean's office, she ran straight into Evander Howard and Tricia Winthrop, both in their white coats, with Tricia's little boy in tow.

She stopped in her tracks.

For a moment, it looked like a perfect family portrait: Tricia holding her son's hand, walking beside Evander, the little boy's other hand wrapped around Evander's fingers, his face radiant with joy.

The sight stung Charlotte deeply.

Evander's patience and tenderness with Tricia and her son were things she'd never received.

She knew Evander despised her.

Tricia had been Evander's first love. Only after Charlotte struck a deal with Grandma Rosemary and finally married Evander did she learn he and Tricia had broken up. To Evander, she was the manipulative woman who'd taken advantage of a broken heart for her own gain.

But he would never know the truth.

Charlotte had met Evander long before Tricia ever did—he just didn't remember her.

She'd thought marrying him might jog his memory. Maybe it would even melt that icy heart of his.

But she'd been so very wrong.

He hated her. How could he ever love her? Otherwise, after six years of marriage, he wouldn't tell the world he was single, wouldn't pretend she was a stranger.

"Dr. Sterling?" Tricia was the first to notice her.

Evander's brow furrowed. He stared at Charlotte as if worried she might reveal their real relationship.

His coldness made her heart clench, but she quickly schooled her features into calm. "Director Winthrop. Mr. Howard."

Evander had recently become a shareholder at Metropolitan General Hospital, but Charlotte knew it wasn't for her sake—it was all for Tricia.

After Tricia returned from abroad, Evander had arranged a job for her and made her Head of Surgery from day one.

Everyone at the hospital knew Tricia had Evander backing her. When rumors started swirling that the two were dating, Evander never bothered to set the record straight.

With a bright smile, Tricia slipped her arm through Evander's. "Dr. Sterling, you're too polite. You're my senior here, and I just started. I'll be needing your guidance."

Before Charlotte could reply, the little boy tugged on Evander's sleeve and buried his face against him. "Daddy, I'm tired. Will you carry me?"

She drove out to Howard Manor and rang the doorbell.

Before long, Linette, the housekeeper, opened the door. "Mrs. Howard, you're back?"

"Is Grandma home?"

"Yes, the matriarch is in. Please, come in." Linette treated Charlotte with utmost respect.

Rosemary Howard was the revered elder of the Howard family. After Evander's grandfather passed away, Rosemary managed all the family affairs.

A formidable woman from the South, Rosemary came from a family of powerful business magnates. Even as a young woman, she'd been a force of nature—so much so that even her disapproving mother-in-law never dared cross her.

Linette led Charlotte to a quiet room where Rosemary knelt on a prayer cushion, turning a string of wooden prayer beads in her hands.

"Ma'am, Mrs. Howard is here," Linette announced.

Rosemary opened her eyes and turned her head. "Come, have a seat."

After Linette left, Charlotte knelt beside Rosemary and bowed her head in silent reverence before the altar.

Rosemary was a devout believer, often spending weeks at a time visiting monasteries and attending services.

"Grandma, I want a divorce from Evander."