Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 13

Charlotte looked up, puzzled. "Is there something you need, Mr. Howard?"

Evander's tone was unhurried. "Did you see the news today?"

"What news?" she asked, genuinely confused.

He studied her in silence for a moment, his gaze unfathomable. "Nothing important," he said at last.

With that, he turned and walked away.

Charlotte watched his retreating figure, and only then remembered Hiram's situation. She hurried after him. "Mr. Howard."

He stopped, glancing back at her with a colder, more distant expression. "Is there something else?"

A faint sting tightened in her chest.

So, it was fine for him to come to her when he needed something, but she wasn't allowed to do the same? Was that how it worked?

She pressed her lips together. "Thank you for offering to find me a lawyer. As for what you mentioned about my... cooperation, once I'm free in the next few days, I'll bring over the di—"

She didn't get to finish her sentence about the divorce papers before a clear, cheerful voice cut in.

"Evander!"

Tricia hurried over, and the moment she spotted Charlotte, the smile on her face faded. She looped her arm through Evander's, her tone all too sweet. "Evander, you came to the hospital—why didn't you stop by to see me?"

It was a show of possession, plain and simple.

Charlotte saw right through it, her gaze turning even colder.

If only Tricia knew that the man she was clinging to was legally someone else's husband—what a joke that would be.

Before Evander could respond, Tricia turned to Charlotte, all warmth and friendliness. "Dr. Sterling, didn't you say you barely knew Evander? You two seem pretty close to me. I was actually thinking of introducing you!"

To anyone listening, it sounded as if Tricia was generously trying to help Charlotte make a connection.

Charlotte couldn't argue with that. She, of all people, knew it best.

"No, thank you."

Without another glance at the two of them, Charlotte walked into her office.

Evander looked toward her door, his eyes unreadable and still.

Tricia clenched her teeth, careful to hide it.

She was starting to sense that there was much more to Evander and Charlotte's relationship than she'd realized—she just hadn't figured out what.

For years, she'd kept tabs on Evander's life back home. Knowing there weren't any other women around him had given her the courage to have his child. After returning, she'd shown up before him as a struggling single mother, and Evander had taken her and her son in—surely out of guilt.

As long as Evander continued to believe his family had torn them apart, she'd keep his sympathy and his heart.

She smiled. "Evander, is Dr. Sterling having some kind of trouble? Should I offer her a hand?"