Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 317

Two nurses hovered over Stevenson in his hospital room, trying to soothe his agitation, worried his blood pressure might spike and something worse could happen.

Just then, one of the nurses stepped out. Charlotte seized the moment. “What happened in there?”

The nurse’s face was a mixture of disbelief and fatigue. “His daughter—well, the one he raised, anyway—just marched up to him and declared she isn’t his biological child. Nearly sent the poor man’s blood pressure through the roof.” She shook her head. “It’s the first time I’ve heard of someone not only refusing to acknowledge their father, but also insisting she’s some heiress who deserved a life of luxury. She practically accused him of keeping her real identity a secret just so she’d have to suffer through a rough childhood.”

Noreen’s eyes widened. “Seriously? Is that true?”

The nurse shrugged. “Who knows? Even if she isn’t his by blood, he still raised her. And if she is his—well, if my kid ever turned out like that, I’d wish I hadn’t had one at all.”

After the nurse left, Noreen kept whispering about the drama, curiosity getting the better of her. She was so caught up, she didn’t notice the shadow that passed over Charlotte’s face.

Maybe it was because the talk of adoptive parents hit too close to home. Charlotte couldn’t help but think of herself.

Other people had families searching for them. But what about her?

Were her real parents ever out there, looking for her too?

…

Around noon, Evander strode up to the nurses’ station. “Could you tell me where Director Sterling’s office is?”

The nurse looked up, momentarily taken aback, then pointed down the hallway.

“Thank you.”

After he left, the two nurses leaned in together, whispering excitedly. “Oh my God, did you see that guy? He’s just as handsome as Dr. Carstairs! And he’s here for Dr. Sterling!”

“I wish I had Dr. Sterling’s charm with men. Maybe then I wouldn’t still be single.”

Noreen appeared behind them, deadpan. “He’s her husband.”

The nurses stared at her, stunned. “Wait, Dr. Sterling is married?”

So what about Dr. Carstairs, then…?

Charlotte stepped out of a patient’s room, flipping through a file, and headed for her office. Just as she reached the door, she almost bumped into Evander.

There he was, immaculate as always in his suit, but oddly out of place holding an insulated lunch container.

Charlotte looked at him coolly. “We’ve kept our marriage secret for six years. Do you really care what we call each other anymore?”

Evander fell silent.

There was nothing he could say to that.

Maybe, she was blaming him for never making their relationship public all these years…

At that moment, his phone rang, shattering the heavy silence.

He turned away to take Natalie’s call.

“Mr. Howard, we’ve finally identified the woman from the salon. Turns out, she’s connected to the Rayburn family. She’s Mrs. Rayburn’s younger sister. Apparently, she was badly burned in a fire years ago, had reconstructive surgery, and has been running a beauty clinic in Riverspire City ever since. She’s close with all the society wives.”

Evander glanced back at Charlotte, then moved toward the door. “Why has she been having Charlotte followed?”

“I’m not sure,” Natalie replied. “Oh, and get this—the Rayburns’ long-lost daughter? It’s Loretta.”