Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 347

Excitement flickered in Loretta’s eyes as she read the message. This was perfect—whatever the truth, she was now the only daughter the Rayburns had left.

A knock at the door startled her.

“Who is it?” she called.

“Miss, there’s someone to see you downstairs. She says she’s Miss Howard.”

Miss Howard?

Loretta’s eyes darted slyly. Smiling, she opened the door. “Tell her to wait a moment. I’ll be right down.”

Only after carefully fixing her hair and jewelry did Loretta make her way downstairs, taking her time.

Genevieve had already been waiting in the living room for quite a while and was beginning to lose patience. The Rayburn heiress sure liked to keep people waiting, but for the sake of the family alliance, she had no choice but to put up with it.

She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and nearly spat it out when Loretta finally appeared—draped in enough glittering jewelry to blind someone, looking as gaudy as a peacock.

This was the Rayburn heiress?

A white dress with blue stockings was questionable enough, but paired with emerald earrings, a pearl necklace, and a jade bracelet—she looked like a walking fashion disaster.

Genevieve couldn’t help her disbelief. “You’re the daughter the Rayburns just found after all these years?”

Loretta gave her sweetest, most innocent smile. “That’s right.”

Genevieve sized her up, her hopes rapidly deflating.

She wasn’t as pretty as Charlotte—that was one thing—but dressing like that? How could someone like her be her sister-in-law?

“Did you need something, Miss Howard?” Loretta forced a smile, uncomfortable under Genevieve’s scrutiny.

“I heard the Rayburns just welcomed their long-lost daughter home, so I came by to pay my respects.” Genevieve stood, smoothing down her skirt. “Who knows, maybe we’ll be family someday.”

She was talking about herself and Wesley.

But Loretta misunderstood, thinking she meant Evander instead. With a shy look, she said, “Oh, who knows what the future holds. Besides, Mr. Howard isn’t even divorced yet. If you talk like that, people might get the wrong idea about me.”

Genevieve’s expression twitched. “I meant myself and Mr. Rayburn…”

“Oh? Oh my, I misunderstood! So you and my brother are that close?” Loretta looped her arm through Genevieve’s, beaming. “Then I should start calling you ‘sister’ from now on!”

“Dad… Where’s Charlotte? Is she alright?” Evander tried to sit up, but Jacques gently held him down. “She’s fine.”

Just then, Miranda swept into the room. “You’re worried about her? You almost died!”

Jacques frowned. “There’s no need to talk like that in front of our son.”

“Talk like what?” Miranda laughed bitterly. “He’s my son! He risked his life for her, and she didn’t even get a scratch! Did she come see him? No! All she cares about is divorcing him!”

Jacques pinched the bridge of his nose. “After everything you said to her yesterday, would she even dare come?”

Evander looked stunned. “Mother, what did you say?”

“I told the truth! Yes, she saved your life once, and we repaid our debt—her family agreed to the marriage, and she willingly became your wife. We never forced her, did we? So why does she blame you for everything?”

“Mother!” Evander’s tone sharpened. “I remember now. I really do owe her.”

Jacques eyed him carefully. “What do you remember?”

“The kidnapping, years ago. It’s all come back to me.” Evander’s eyes turned red, his post-surgery body trembling as if it might shatter. “I told Charlotte to find me when she grew up, but I forgot about her. I even said those cruel things to her. She has every right to hate me.”