Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 75

Before Lana could react, Charlotte had already swept out the door, leaving without a backward glance.

In the past, whenever Evander handed her his credit card, she would have been thrilled—she would have taken it as proof that she mattered to him.

But those days were over. She wasn't that naïve anymore.

Charlotte arranged to meet Jonathan at a bistro with live music. By the time she arrived, he was already waiting at their table.

Catching sight of her as she walked in, Jonathan teased, "You really know how to pick a place, Charlotte. This one's romantic."

She pulled out a chair and sat down. "I can't afford the fancy places, but the cheap ones seemed beneath the mighty Mr. Pembroke, so I went for something in the middle."

He chuckled. "You give me too much credit."

"No, I'm just being sincere."

They ordered a few dishes and a bottle of red wine, chatting easily as they ate.

For Charlotte, it was the most relaxed she'd felt in years.

During her six-year marriage, she'd almost stopped socializing altogether. Old friends and classmates had drifted away, and her life shrank down to work, home, and waiting for Evander to come home. She'd lost any real sense of herself.

At least now, she'd chosen to cut her losses before it was too late.

There was still time.

…

After finishing a meeting with the company's senior executives, Evander returned to his office.

He settled into his chair, loosened his tie, and glanced at his phone. There was a message from Lana.

As he read it, his previously calm expression grew more complicated.

Was this woman determined to defy him at every turn? He'd already tried to make it up to her financially—what more did she want?

This endless drama was getting tiresome.

He dialed Charlotte's number immediately.

When the call came in, Charlotte was on stage, playing a piano piece. Her phone lay on the table.

Jonathan noticed the screen light up with "Evander" and arched an eyebrow. He picked up and answered, "Mr. Howard?"

Hearing a man's voice, Evander's expression darkened. "Who is this? Where's Charlotte?"

Charlotte looked puzzled. "Professor Carstairs?"

"His grandson."

Charlotte didn't reply.

She remembered Professor Carstairs mentioning a grandson studying medicine abroad, but she'd never met him.

When they'd nearly finished dinner, Charlotte went up to settle the bill.

The hostess checked the tab and smiled. "Sorry, ma'am, but your bill was paid about half an hour ago."

Charlotte blinked in surprise and turned to Jonathan as he approached. "I told you I wanted to treat you! Why'd you pay?"

He shrugged, unconcerned. "I was joking. I can't let a lady pay for my dinner, can I?"

"But—"

"Just owe me one," Jonathan cut her off, guessing what she was about to say. "You can pay me back another time."

As they stepped out of the building, Jonathan suddenly paused by his car and turned to Charlotte, who was busy looking for her ride. "Need a lift?"