Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 90

"Hiram is still my brother. Even if he ends up in prison, I just want him to make it through those years safely," Charlotte said, rising to her feet and meeting his gaze. "All I'm asking for is a little fairness. Is that really too much?"

"Fairness?" Evander stepped closer, his presence almost overwhelming. "He planned a kidnapping, Charlotte. Even if no real harm was done, a crime is still a crime. And you want to talk to me about fairness?"

"If no one got hurt, the law can go easy on him. But would you ever even consider helping Hiram get a lighter sentence?"

"Absolutely not." His answer was cold, decisive—without a hint of hesitation.

Charlotte's heart clenched, the color draining from her face. "So I'm wrong for wanting fairness now?"

"He could've hurt anyone, but he shouldn't have hurt her."

His blatant favoritism shattered whatever hope Charlotte had been holding on to.

She'd thought she could reason with him.

But she'd been foolish to hope. The Howard family was untouchable, and Evander was ruthless—even to her. There was no way he'd ever let her have her way.

"Charlotte, I don't want you going to see Tricia again because of Hiram. You need to remember, she's the victim here. Whatever's between us has nothing to do with her."

As Evander turned to leave, Charlotte laughed bitterly through her tears. "So I'm not a victim too?"

Did everything Tricia had done to her not count for anything?

Did she deserve to suffer through it all?

He paused, glancing back at her, his expression dark and unreadable.

"Evander, can't you show me just a little mercy? Just once."

Just once. That's all I'm asking.

"Charlotte." He held her gaze, utterly unmoved. "This is a debt I owe her."

Without another word, he walked out of the office.

Charlotte stood there for a long time, the words "a debt I owe her" echoing in her mind. The answer was clear: who mattered more to him had never been in doubt.

Pain tightened in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Eventually, when the ache dulled, she managed a bitter smile.

Did he ever remember that he owed her something, too?

…

After leaving the hospital, Evander slid into the back seat of his car.

Natalie finished a call and turned around from the passenger seat. "Mr. Howard, Hiram accepted the sentencing. The attorney hinted he could get a lighter sentence if he showed some remorse, but he wouldn't admit to anything."

Hiram glanced over his shoulder.

The red light in the corner—the only sign of surveillance—had gone out.

…

The next morning, Charlotte sat at the table, barely touching her breakfast. She forced down a few spoonfuls of porridge before pushing her bowl away.

Lana emerged from the kitchen carrying a plate of fruit. She set it on the table. "Ma'am, you haven't had much of an appetite these past couple of days. How about I whip up something tangy tomorrow to help you eat?"

Charlotte looked up and smiled. "I wish you were my mom, Lana. Anyone with a mother like you would be lucky."

"Ma'am, you flatter me."

"No, I mean it." Charlotte lowered her gaze. "I know you're just doing your job, but I'll never forget how kind you've been to me."

Lana paused, suddenly uncomfortable. "Now, let's not talk like that—you sound as if you're saying goodbye, and I don't like it."

Charlotte took another sip of her porridge, dodging the remark with a faint smile.

After all, she really was about to say goodbye.

Suddenly, her phone rang on the table. It was her mother, Rachel, calling.