Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 143

“Then I guess I’ll just have to file for divorce.”

“On what grounds?”

Evander stood in front of her, leaning down so his presence filled the space between them. “Charlotte, what exactly are you planning to cite? Infidelity? Or that supposed illegitimate child you keep hinting at?”

Charlotte met his gaze, unwavering and calm, her face as unreadable as stone. “If there’s no love left in a marriage, what’s the point in keeping it alive?”

Evander said nothing.

From the corner of her eye, Charlotte caught a shadow flickering past the doorway. She reached out, smoothing the knot of Evander’s tie, her tone feigning lightness. “Could it be that you can’t bear to let me go, Mr. Howard?”

Her lips curled in a smile, but her eyes were cold as glass. “Or maybe, just maybe, you’ve actually fallen for me. Otherwise, why all this relentless persistence?”

Evander’s fingers grazed her cheek, deceptively gentle. Yet in that brief touch, his eyes flashed with something icy. “Charlotte, do you even realize how fake that smile is?”

He hated seeing that expression on her face.

It was blinding.

She was never supposed to be like this.

Slowly, Charlotte’s smile faded, vanishing entirely as she spoke in a voice meant only for the two of them. “You’re only ever going to get something fake from me.”

No sooner had the words left her lips than she turned her gaze to the door and called out, “Miss Winthrop, why bother eavesdropping? Why not just come in and listen openly?”

Tricia froze in place.

Damn it, caught red-handed!

She pushed the door open, forcing a helpless, wide-eyed look. “Dr. Sterling, I swear I wasn’t trying to listen in. I just heard you were back at the hospital and wanted to congratulate you. But when I saw you and Evander talking, I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“I’m sure you know what’s going on between Mr. Howard and me, Miss Winthrop.” Charlotte stood, walking toward Tricia with a faint laugh. “In fact, you’re just in time—we were discussing the divorce.”

She crossed her arms and stopped right in front of Tricia, giving her the same cool, appraising look she’d given Evander. “Why don’t you try convincing me otherwise, Miss Winthrop?”

A chill settled over Evander’s handsome features, turning his expression sharp as a blade. “Charlotte!”

She raised her eyebrows, feigning innocence. “Why so upset, Mr. Howard? If there’s truly nothing between you and Miss Winthrop, then why am I being painted as the woman who came between you two?”

Tricia’s face paled. She clenched her fists tight.

Charlotte pressed on, relentless. “My parents heard all the rumors. They just wanted to clear my name, so they approached Miss Winthrop. But out of nowhere, her son fell down the stairs, and my father—he died for nothing.”

“That’s not true!” Tricia grabbed Charlotte’s hand, eyes shining with tears. “I never meant for any of that to happen. I didn’t know about your father’s heart condition. It’s my fault—I should have paid more attention to Hans’s injuries. If it’ll help, hit me—take it out on me—”

Smack!

Before Tricia could finish, Charlotte’s open palm landed hard across her face.

Tricia staggered sideways, catching herself on the desk just in time.

She pressed a hand to her cheek, staring at Charlotte in disbelief.

Charlotte offered her a slight, almost pleasant smile. “Miss Winthrop, you asked for it.”

“I…” Tricia blinked back tears, turning pleading eyes to Evander.

He stared at Charlotte in silence, his gaze unreadable. “Feel better now that you’ve gotten that out of your system?”

That afternoon, after visiting Hiram, Charlotte stopped by to see Mrs. Rayburn and Wesley.

As soon as she walked in, Mrs. Rayburn hurried over, her face breaking into a bright smile. “My darling girl! I’m so glad you’re here!”

Charlotte smiled, looping her arm through Mrs. Rayburn’s.

Wesley was on the sofa, idly scrolling through his tablet. “You’ve been pretty busy these last few days, haven’t you?”

“Some stuff came up at home,” Charlotte replied.

Wesley paused and looked up. “What happened?”

She wet her lips, voice quiet. “My father passed away.”

He was silent for a moment, then offered his condolences.

“Mr. Rayburn, could I ask you for a favor?” Charlotte hesitated, but decided to speak up.

“Of course,” he replied easily. “What do you need?”

“My brother’s here as well—he’s in a vegetative state. I was hoping you could spare someone to look after him. I’ll keep caring for Mrs. Rayburn, and you don’t need to pay me. Just have someone watch over him until the end of the month. After that, I’ll transfer him to Riverspire Medical Center.”

She’d considered asking Jonathan, but the Pembrokes didn’t have the pull to stand up to Evander.

Besides, she already owed Jonathan more than she could ever repay.

In the end, Wesley was the only logical choice.

If the Rayburn family’s people were watching over Hiram, then if Evander tried anything, she’d know right away.