Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 284

Judd glanced at Charlotte, as if confirming something in his mind, before finally allowing himself to leave.

Once her son was gone, Daphne didn’t linger either. She offered a quick goodbye and slipped out, leaving the hospital room in complete quiet.

Evander approached the bed with his usual measured calm and gently straightened the corner of her blanket. “Grandma’s heard about your injury,” he said. “She’s really worried about you.”

Charlotte’s eyelids fluttered. She gave a faint hum in response. “I’ll call her soon.”

“Tricia’s right hand is permanently damaged.”

His tone was almost eerily composed.

Even as he delivered the news, his expression didn’t betray a hint of emotion. When Charlotte met his gaze, his eyes were unreadable.

“She won’t be showing up around you again.”

Charlotte’s lips pressed into a tight line.

Over the past six years, she’d seen just how ruthless this man could be.

But only to her.

Still, his cold finality toward Tricia was something she hadn’t expected at all.

Maybe all men are the same, she thought. When they love you, there’s nothing they won’t forgive. But when that love is gone, all that’s left is indifference—and cruelty.

“What are you thinking?” he asked suddenly, leaning closer. His breath mingled with hers, his fingertips fever-warm as they brushed lightly over her cheek.

Charlotte could read the restraint in his gaze.

He wanted to kiss her.

She leaned away, slipping out of his touch. “Evander, if I’d been the one to hurt Tricia—would you treat me the same way you’re treating her now?”

His face froze, just for a second, his features turning inscrutable.

He didn’t answer.

At least, he didn’t lie to her.

Could the man he once was have promised otherwise?

Charlotte understood. She gave him a small, crooked smile. “I thought you’d at least pretend for my sake and say you wouldn’t.”

“Charlotte.” His voice was rough, his chest heaving with the weight of what he wanted to say. “I’m sorry.”

“If you really mean that, if you’re truly sorry, could you at least—”

“No.”

“…”

“I still have my brother’s medical bills to pay.”

He paused, looking at her.

Did she even know she wasn’t truly the Sterling family’s daughter?

Evander set down the figurine and stepped toward her. “You don’t have to worry about medical bills. I’ll take care of them.”

Charlotte said nothing.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Evander moved to open it first.

Standing outside, the man on the other side seemed caught off guard as their eyes met.

Evander narrowed his gaze. “Mr. Carstairs, what brings you here?”

Charlotte squeezed past him, positioning herself between the two men. “Professor Carstairs, how did you know I was home?”

“I saw Mr. Howard’s car downstairs and guessed,” he replied.

“He just came up to check on me. He’ll be leaving soon.”

The faint smile vanished from Evander’s lips. “I live here now.”