Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 262

Noreen’s face turned beet red—she must have thought he’d overheard their conversation. She mumbled an excuse and slipped out as fast as she could.

Judd leaned against the doorway, arms folded across his chest. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better.”

Charlotte studied him, then asked, “I heard you’re the one who brought me to the hospital?”

“Who else would it be?” Judd crossed the room to the window, tugging the curtains open. “Given the state you were in, you really think I’d just send you home?”

Charlotte said nothing.

She couldn’t believe Jonathan would do this to her.

He’d drugged her, knocked her out—what then? Was it just as she feared?

Judd seemed to sense her confusion, his silhouette framed against the city lights. “The doctors told me he bought a sedative—midazolam. Claimed it was for severe insomnia. You know how powerful that stuff is, right? In powder form, it works even faster.”

“I know him,” Charlotte muttered, frowning. “He’s the type who won’t touch so much as a Tylenol for a cold. Why would he go out of his way to get a heavy sedative for insomnia?”

She blinked a few times, feeling the weight of everything settle on her shoulders. “Thank you, Judd. For today.”

“No need to thank me just yet,” he replied, glancing at his watch. “You still owe me dinner.”

She hesitated. “How about tonight?”

Judd gave a lopsided grin. “We’ll see when I have time.”

“…”

…

It was past eight by the time Charlotte returned to Summitview Wellness Retreat.

She opened the door to her bedroom and stopped short. Evander was there, sitting on the edge of the sofa by the window, turning a stiff card over and over in his hands. His face was lost in shadow, unreadable.

Charlotte frowned. “What are you doing in my room?”

“I was waiting for you.”

She looked away. “For what?”

Evander leaned back in the chair, his expression ice-cold. “Nothing happened today, right?”

She pushed and struggled, but he didn’t let go.

He pressed her back, inch by inch, until she was pinned against the wall. Her shoes slipped off, and she was forced up on tiptoe, barely able to keep her balance.

Evander yanked off his tie, bound her wrists, and buried his face in her neck, leaving a possessive mark. “You belong to me.”

Charlotte fought until her strength gave out, and finally let him have his way.

She lay limp in his arms, biting her lip to hold back her sobs. The chill of the air conditioner seemed to seep right into her bones, leaving her small and helpless—something in that sight twisted Evander’s heart.

She didn’t know how much time passed. When it was over, she curled up in his arms, numb and unbearably tired.

Evander carried her to the shower, washed her gently, and brought her back wrapped in nothing but a blanket.

Then he called for Natalie, who came and took away all of Charlotte’s clothes—including her phone.

Only then did Charlotte snap. “You took my clothes—what am I supposed to wear?”

Evander brushed his thumb across the bright tear-shaped mole on her cheek, his touch strangely gentle. “I think you look perfect like this. From tomorrow on, you’re staying here. You’re not going anywhere.”