Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 403

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Night had fallen, and the city outside the window was aglow with a dazzling sea of lights.

Charlotte and Noreen were sipping wine in the living room. Noreen, a little tipsy, draped her arm over Charlotte’s shoulder. “There’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you,” she said, her voice warm and unguarded.

Charlotte lifted an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“Do you have feelings for Dr. Carstairs?”

Noreen’s earnest gaze made Charlotte pause. She was just about to answer when Noreen added, wagging her finger, “Be honest. Don’t just tell me what you think I want to hear.”

With a sigh, Charlotte slipped out from under Noreen’s arm and picked up her glass. “You know my situation. I’ve only known Professor Carstairs for a few months. I haven’t even let myself consider something like that.”

Noreen leaned in closer. “So you don’t like him at all? Not even a little?”

Charlotte took a sip of wine, considering. “I wouldn’t say that. I mean… he’s impressive, and I have a good impression of him. But it’s not that kind of feeling. Not yet.”

If she’d met someone like Judd Carstairs in the past, maybe she would have fallen for him. He was, after all, remarkable. But loving someone could be exhausting, and after everything she’d been through, Charlotte wasn’t even sure if she still had feelings for Evander.

The thought of starting something new felt impossible right now.

Noreen leaned back against the sofa, her expression wistful. “Do you know why I’m drawn to him?”

Charlotte teased, “Because he’s handsome?”

Noreen straightened, feigning indignation. “I’m not that shallow! It’s just… I think he and I are similar. We’re both a little lonely, both longing to be understood. You know my family’s well-off, but I’m not the daughter my parents wanted.”

“You have an older sister, don’t you?” Charlotte asked gently.

Noreen’s smile was bittersweet. “Yeah. When I was ten, our family went rafting abroad, and we both fell into the water. She could’ve saved herself, but she held onto me—the useless one who couldn’t swim. They managed to pull me out, but she… she didn’t make it.”

Charlotte’s gaze fell to the two rings hanging from a chain around Noreen’s neck. “I’ve noticed those rings before. They’re for you and your sister, aren’t they?”