Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 53

Since that night when Evander had left in anger, he hadn't come back. A week later, it was time for Rosemary's birthday celebration.

Linette messaged Charlotte to let her know that Rosemary wanted her and Evander to attend together.

Charlotte understood her place—she and Evander weren't officially divorced yet, so she was still the Howard family's daughter-in-law. Naturally, she couldn't refuse to attend a family matriarch's birthday party.

After replying to Linette, Charlotte hesitated before finally sending a message to Evander: *Grandma's birthday. I'm going with you.*

Ten minutes passed with no reply.

She locked her phone and decided not to wait around for an answer.

Meanwhile, Tricia was at the mall shopping for a birthday gift for the old lady with Genevieve.

"Tricia, you really have great taste. Anything you choose, my grandmother is bound to love!" Genevieve beamed, looping her arm through Tricia's.

The two had known each other for nearly a decade. And since Tricia was her cousin's first love—the one he'd never gotten over—Genevieve had always held her in the highest regard, practically idolizing her.

Tricia lowered her gaze with a gentle smile. "You think so? But…if your grandmother finds out the gift is from me, I doubt she'll be pleased."

After all, it was the old woman who tore her and Evander apart in the first place.

Otherwise, by now, she would have been Mrs. Howard.

"That's only because Grand—uh, my grandmother misunderstood you. She listened to some nonsense and forced you and my cousin to break up!" Genevieve nearly said the wrong name, but caught herself. She patted her chest, full of conviction. "But you're the only one I'll ever accept as my cousin's wife. As long as I'm around, I'll convince her to change her mind!"

Tricia could only smile helplessly.

She turned away, her smile vanishing the moment Genevieve couldn't see her face.

What had Genevieve almost said? Char…? Did she mean Charlotte?

After helping Genevieve pick out a gift, Tricia headed back to the hospital. Passing by Charlotte's office, she paused.

Something occurred to her, and she walked over to the nurses' station, asking one of the nurses for Charlotte's employment file.

The nurse seemed a little surprised but didn't ask questions and handed over the file.

She'd suspected before that Tricia was trying to figure out her relationship with Evander—maybe she'd guessed something ahead of time and that was why she'd always seemed so antagonistic.

But now it seemed she was only just beginning to suspect.

"It's fine. If she wants to check, let her check." Charlotte smiled faintly, unconcerned.

Even if Tricia found out, there was no guarantee that certain people would ever let her know the truth.

So Charlotte wasn't worried about Tricia discovering her connection to Evander.

A week later, Howard Manor was buzzing with activity.

Guests arrived as expected—every influential figure in the city was there.

Rosemary's reputation preceded her. Even in old age, long retired from business, she was still remembered as the formidable woman who once dominated the corporate world—a role model for independent women everywhere.

In the living room, Miranda and Charlotte greeted the distinguished guests, gracious and composed.