Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 285

Charlotte froze, staring at him in surprise. “I don’t have any of your toiletries here.”

“I’ll just use yours,” he replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

She choked on her words, her discomfort plain to see.

Judd, noticing her expression, spoke up in a measured tone. “I have plenty of spare rooms and unopened toiletries at my place, Mr. Howard. If you don’t mind, I can set up a guest room for you.”

Evander raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “You really think it’s appropriate for me to stay at your place?”

“She just got out of the hospital. Is it really convenient for you to stay here with her?”

Evander’s smile faded. “I’m her husband.”

Judd nodded, unfazed. “And? You’ve neglected what you should have done as her husband, and forced what you shouldn’t, just because she’s your wife. But have you ever stopped to ask what she wants? Did you ever ask if she wants you here, taking care of her?”

Evander’s mouth set in a thin, tense line as he looked over at Charlotte.

The truth was, he’d only intended to drop her off—he hadn’t planned on staying. If he did, he would have wanted her to ask him, to want him to stay.

But Judd’s sudden appearance—it irked him.

And Judd’s words… Felt like a thorn, pressing right into his chest.

Had he ever asked what she wanted?

Charlotte met his gaze, understood something unspoken, and looked away. “I can take care of myself.”

She didn’t need him.

A tightness gripped Evander’s chest. His clenched hands slowly relaxed. “I’ll come by to see you tomorrow.”

Charlotte blinked in surprise.

For the first time, Evander wasn’t pushing her.

He turned to leave. Judd leaned against the doorframe. “So, Mr. Howard, you’re not considering crashing at my place after all?”

He was polite, but when he addressed her as “Mrs. Howard,” Charlotte’s brows drew together in irritation.

“It’s like this—Gardenia Estates was acquired by Howard Enterprises today. I heard one of the owners in this building was Mr. Howard’s wife—I had no idea it was you,” he said, sounding almost regretful, as if he wished he’d known sooner. “If we’d realized, I would have made sure you got the best unit in the building when you bought this place!”

Charlotte rubbed her forehead, barely listening to the rest. “Are you saying Howard Enterprises bought Gardenia Estates?”

“Yes, that’s right. Oh—and the mortgage on your apartment? Mr. Howard paid it off for you,” the manager added with a smile. “You’re Mrs. Howard—if you need anything from us, just let us know. You won’t have to worry about service fees or anything like that!”

Despite his enthusiastic attitude, Charlotte knew it was only because of her “status.”

She said nothing. After the manager left, Judd wandered in, toothbrush still in his mouth, towel draped around his neck, looking like he’d just woken up.

Clearly, he’d overheard everything.

“The Howards—always throwing money around. Even a little property like this isn’t beneath them,” he remarked.

Charlotte just lowered her gaze, silent.