Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 380

When Mrs. Rayburn agreed without hesitation, he hooked his pinky finger out for a promise, the way children do—and Mrs. Rayburn was an absolute softie for that sort of thing.

With just that, he managed to coax a smile out of her all on his own.

Wesley’s jaw tensed, but he couldn’t find a word to argue back.

If anyone was to blame, it was himself—for not meeting her before his sister had married Evander.

After Mrs. Rayburn settled down to rest, the three of them finally left the bedroom. As soon as they stepped out into the hospital hallway, before Charlotte could say a word, Wesley grabbed Evander by the collar and stared straight at him. “Is it really appropriate, Mr. Howard, to use such manipulative tactics on someone struggling with mental illness?”

Charlotte snapped out of her daze, worried her brother might actually punch him—and the Howard family would never let that slide. Dealing with Miranda alone was already exhausting.

“Wes, just calm down for a second.”

Wesley didn’t let go, his eyes locked on Evander’s easy, almost careless expression.

Evander met his gaze. “Mrs. Rayburn may be unwell, but she recognizes her own daughter better than either you or your father. All I did was talk to her, treat her like family. How does that count as manipulation?”

Wesley froze, veins standing out on the back of his hand.

He’d struck a nerve.

“Evander, that’s enough!” Charlotte shoved her brother aside and stepped between them. “Why do you always have to go for the sore spot? Can’t you just let it go for once?”

His eyes dimmed a little. “Am I really the one who’s being unreasonable?”

She avoided his gaze. “What goes on between my dad and my brother is none of your business. Besides…” She paused for a moment, then looked him in the eye. “Of all people, you’re the last one who gets to say that.”

Evander’s posture stiffened, the easy smile fading from his face. His dark eyes, usually calm and unreadable, suddenly seemed to hide a storm beneath the surface.

So this is what it feels like, to be shot down so completely…

Charlotte grabbed Wesley and hurried past him, leaving Evander standing alone in the empty corridor, his figure swallowed up by the silence.

As Charlotte and Wesley stepped out of the elevator, he suddenly grinned. “Weren’t you afraid you’d make him pass out from anger?”

She mumbled, “If I’m taking my brother’s side, what right does he have to be upset?”

Wesley put a hand on her shoulder with a mock-serious sigh. “I’ll let him off the hook, seeing as he’s a patient. You, though—you only remember you have a big brother when you need backup. Funny how that works.”

She was about to head into her room when he spoke up quietly, “What did my mother say to you that day?”

Evander stared after her, thoughtful.

The next day.

After Charlotte accompanied Evander to his therapy session, Miranda arrived with a packed lunch. Seeing he looked far better than before, she decided to let Charlotte off the hook, at least for now.

Once she’d booked her plane ticket, Charlotte announced without preamble, “I’m going back to Riverspire City for a while.”

Miranda’s face darkened a shade. “Didn’t you promise me you wouldn’t?”

“You—”

Miranda was about to snap, but Evander nudged the box of pastries toward Charlotte. “Why don’t you try one of these?”