Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 257

After returning to Summitview Wellness Retreat, Charlotte’s first stop was Hiram Sterling’s bedroom to check on him. Some time later, her phone buzzed with a message from Wesley Rayburn:

*Sorry, Lottie. I wasn’t ignoring you—it’s just that Mom’s taken a turn for the worse.*

Charlotte replied instantly:

*Is she alright?*

Wesley:

*She’s stable. Getting treatment now. Everything good on your end?*

Charlotte:

*All good here. Don’t worry about me—just look after your mom.*

As footsteps sounded outside her door, Charlotte quickly slipped her phone away.

She stepped out of the bedroom and heard voices from the living room. Approaching quietly, she caught a sharp whiff of alcohol before she even rounded the partition.

Two security guards were helping Evander onto the couch. He slumped back, pressing his thumb and fingers against his brow as if trying to stave off a headache.

Natalie draped Evander’s suit jacket over the back of a chair. “Let me ask the nurse to make you some hangover soup,” she suggested.

He kept his eyes closed. “Don’t bother.”

The guards exchanged glances. A nurse wouldn’t do—everyone knew it really had to be—

Just then, both guards spotted Charlotte behind the partition and nodded. “Ma’am.”

Natalie turned to look at her.

Charlotte stiffened, her expression flat. “Don’t look at me. I’m not the nurse.”

She turned and walked away.

One of the guards watched her retreat, muttering under his breath, “Isn’t she a bit cold?”

“Honestly, what woman wouldn’t be in her place—” The second guard’s words died as Natalie shot them a warning glare, and both fell silent.

Suddenly, Evander opened his eyes, his jaw tense. “You can all go.”

Once the others left, Evander loosened his collar and stumbled back to his room, swaying slightly.

Not long after, Charlotte heard something shatter in the neighboring room—but no one came running.

Evander rested his forehead on her shoulder, arms wrapped securely around her. “Then let’s start over. Let’s have a marriage with real feelings.”

Charlotte went utterly still.

She’d waited six years for Evander to love her. Six long years.

The cruel irony was, now that he finally wanted her, she’d lost her parents. When she’d loved him, he’d dismissed her without a second thought. And now, after everything she’d endured, he wanted to talk about love? What did her pain and humiliation count for, then?

She couldn’t just swallow that—not now.

Evander lifted his head, fingers brushing her cheek. As he leaned in to kiss her, Charlotte turned away, dodging his lips.

He froze, completely still.

The heat in his eyes faded to a bleak hollowness. He released her, voice raw. “I’m sorry.”

Footsteps hurried outside. Charlotte quickly got to her feet.

The nurse entered with the first aid kit and stopped short, startled by the scene.

She moved to help, but Evander pulled his bloody hand away and looked at Charlotte. “I want you to do it.”