Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 48

Charlotte's fingers curled in tightly, her face growing pale, each breath coming harder, as if the very air was being choked from her lungs.

She swallowed all her indignation, eyes burning red. "I did nothing wrong!"

Evander's gaze turned icy. At last, he let go of her. "If you want to kneel, then kneel."

He sank into a nearby armchair, settling in with endless patience, content to wait.

Tricia glanced at Charlotte's miserable state, a flicker of satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. She approached Evander, putting on a show of magnanimity and concern. "Evander, isn't it a little much to make Dr. Sterling kneel like this?"

"She chose it herself."

Chose it herself…

Charlotte pressed her lips together, refusing even the energy for further explanation.

—

Charlotte stayed on her knees for over an hour.

Not once did she apologize.

Evander's expression grew increasingly complicated, an odd discomfort pressing against his chest.

Just then, Hans woke up.

Tricia quickly set aside the fruit platter she'd just sliced and rushed to the bedside. "Hans! Oh, sweetheart, you scared your mother half to death!"

Relief loosened the hard lines of Charlotte's face.

Hans let Tricia hug him, but his eyes immediately sought out Evander. His voice was rough and dry. "Uncle…"

"I'm here." Evander came over and sat on the edge of the bed, taking his hand. "Hans, are you still feeling unwell?"

Hans almost said he was fine, but he wanted Mr. Howard to stay with him a bit longer, so he nodded instead. "I don't feel well. Uncle, will you stay with me?"

Tricia was delighted.

This was exactly what she'd hoped for.

She feigned reluctance. "Evander, Hans is still shaken from the allergy scare. He'll probably want to keep you close for a while."

"It's fine." Evander gathered Hans into his arms. "I'll stay with him today."

Tricia beamed. "Good."

He lifted his gaze. "You're his mother. Why are you always defending an outsider?"

Tricia faltered, then forced herself to stay calm. "I'm just worried about Hans, that's all. I just don't want Dr. Sterling to suffer unnecessarily…"

"No one will hurt you or Hans. You don't need to worry about that."

Evander tucked Hans back into bed and stood up.

Hans grabbed his hand. "Uncle, didn't you say you'd stay with me?"

Evander paused, gently ruffling his hair. "There's something I need to take care of at work. I'll come back later, alright?"

"No! I want you to stay right now!" Hans protested, panic rising in his voice. If Mr. Howard left, his mother would surely come up with new ways to torment him. The thought made his skin prickle; he didn't want to go through another allergy attack.

"Evander, he just wants you close…"

"Hans." Evander's voice grew firm.

Hans, sensitive as ever, instantly heard the warning in Mr. Howard's tone.

Reluctantly, he let go of Evander's hand.