Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 209

Charlotte sat in silence for a long while, remembering what he’d said earlier about the old grudges between him and the Howard family elders. She looked at him. “So, when you said ‘A’, you meant someone from the Howard family?”

“Yes.” Jonathan didn’t deny it. “And ‘B’ is my great-uncle. The girl’s younger sister is my grandmother. My mother—she’s the girl in the story.”

Shock flickered across Charlotte’s face.

Jonathan’s mother… was a Howard by blood.

If the family had acknowledged her, she would have been the eldest daughter of the Howard family by now.

“Why are you telling me all this?” she asked quietly.

He hesitated before squeezing her hand. “I’ll admit it, Charlotte. At first, I wanted to use you. But I regret it—ever since you and your mom started trusting me, I’ve regretted it. I don’t want to lie to either of you anymore.”

“But you still did,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, Jonathan said nothing. Then he felt warmth slip away as she pulled her hand from his.

Charlotte drew back. “Jonathan, I’m grateful, truly. You helped my mother and me, even if there were strings attached. I know we’ve imposed on you too much lately. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

She stood and quietly left the restaurant.

“Charlotte!” Jonathan hurried after her, but just as he reached the hallway, his phone rang. He hesitated, not wanting to answer, but whatever the caller said changed his mind. He stopped, watching helplessly as Charlotte disappeared into the elevator.

…

Jonathan went to see Tricia. The moment he stepped into the hotel suite, Tricia rushed to him, arms flung wide in embrace. “That old witch from the Howard family fired me! Tell me—do you have a way to get rid of her for good?”

His fists slowly unclenched. He gave a cold, mirthless laugh. “Evander’s had people following me for weeks. I’m guessing his men are waiting downstairs right now.”

Tricia’s face went rigid. “Why are you telling me this only now?”

Jonathan loosened his tie. “Because I want you to understand something. In this game, I’m not the one afraid of losing—it’s you.” He grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “You really think sleeping with me gives you any leverage? To me, you’re no different from any other woman who’s ever tried that. You think you’re clever, but you’ll get nothing from me.”

Without another word, Jonathan strode to the door, yanked it open, and shoved Tricia out.

She landed hard on the hallway carpet, her clothes askew.

“Miss Winthrop?” Two of Evander’s bodyguards, who’d followed Jonathan up, happened to be in the hall—and they clearly hadn’t expected to see Tricia like this.