Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 208

Charlotte paused for a moment before exhaling softly. “Lead the way.”

The waiter guided her up to the second floor of the restaurant. Jonathan Pembroke was sitting by the window, and from his vantage point he could indeed see her coming.

After collecting his tip, the waiter discreetly retreated. Jonathan regarded her with the same easy smile. “Would you like something to drink? The herbal tea here is surprisingly good—you should give it a try.”

“Thank you, but I’ll pass.” Charlotte took the seat across from him, her manner noticeably more reserved than usual. “I’m fine.”

He lowered his gaze. “I know you blame me. But I still want to say I’m sorry—to you, and to your mother.”

Her eyelids flickered. She looked up at him. “It’s all in the past.”

She spoke the words with a calm finality, as if she’d truly moved on, but Jonathan knew better. He knew she hadn’t.

“Charlotte, let me tell you a story.” Jonathan gripped his teacup a little tighter, and began.

“There were two friends—let’s call them Adam and Ben. They weren’t brothers by blood, but they might as well have been. Adam came from a wealthy, influential family, but he never looked down on Ben. In Ben’s eyes, Adam was nothing like the spoiled rich kids he’d heard about. He was polite, courageous, and responsible.

The two became inseparable, telling each other everything. Adam was the one Ben trusted most. Now, Ben had a younger sister who quietly fell in love with Adam, and as it turned out, Adam felt the same way. But because of Adam’s background, the girl always hesitated. Adam promised her he’d convince his family and make her his wife.

With Ben as their witness, the couple were together for five years. Not long after, the girl became pregnant.

Everyone thought Adam would return from the city and keep his promise. But after he left, he vanished without a word.

From the very beginning, there had been a wall between them—one built on class.

Adam didn’t mind being friends with Ben, or falling in love with Ben’s sister, because he always knew that, in the end, his own interests came first.

Ben and Adam parted ways for good. Just when Ben and his sister were at their lowest, they met someone kind who helped them start over. Whatever they achieved after that was thanks to that person’s generosity.

In time, Ben found his place in the city. But Adam never acknowledged his daughter. When Ben died, Adam didn’t even come to see him.

Jonathan gave a brief, bitter laugh as he finished. “Funny thing is, Adam didn’t live past forty. Maybe that was his punishment.”