Forsaking the Years of Longing novel Chapter 6

Charlotte leaned against the wall, clutching her inhaler tightly and covering her face to block any lingering pollen. Just as she managed to catch her breath, Jaziel’s accusatory voice reached her ears.

"Are you really this hostile toward Sophie? She just brought us these flowers, and you had to smash them!"

Nolan’s angry voice followed immediately. "Charlotte, you’ve become so unreasonable lately. What’s gotten into you?"

Taking a deep breath, Charlotte’s body trembled with a mix of anger and hurt. She had so much she wanted to say, but in the end, all that came out was a choked, teary whisper.

"I’ve changed? Is it me who’s changed, or is it you two?"

"I have asthma and am allergic to pollen. Did you both forget that?"

Her weak voice carried no force, but each word struck Jaziel and Nolan like thunder. In the past, they had been the most concerned for her, especially during her asthma attacks. They would rush back even if it meant skipping class, staying by her bedside with red eyes, unwilling to leave her side for even a moment.

But now, they’d forgotten something so critical.

Perhaps realizing their mistake, Jaziel’s face showed a flicker of guilt, his usually composed expression softened. “I’m sorry.”

Nolan’s brows furrowed, remembering all the times he’d seen her struggle with asthma. They’d gone through so many attacks with her, fully aware of her suffering. Stepping forward, he asked, “Are you alright? I’m sorry... Sophie picked those flowers herself; she put so much effort into it, and that’s why I reacted this way.”

Charlotte remained silent, saying nothing in response. Seeing that her face had regained some color after using her inhaler, Jaziel and Nolan hurriedly took the flowers outside.

For the next few days, Jaziel and Nolan didn’t return home. Their rooms stayed dark each night.

Charlotte didn’t care; she was too busy packing her things. Once her packing was nearly done, she took a moment to survey the house. She had originally bought this place, and then Jaziel and Nolan, wanting to stay close to her, bought the houses on either side. They merged the properties, creating the shared space they lived in now.

Now, however, only a third of it was truly hers, and selling it would be somewhat complicated.

One day, as she was meeting with a real estate agent, Jaziel and Nolan happened to come home and spotted the agent with her.

Seeing a stranger in the house, Jaziel’s face turned cold. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

Caught off guard by their intimidating glares, the agent stammered but managed to explain, “Hello, gentlemen. I’m the real estate agent. The owner here said she wanted to sell this house.”

“Yes, with Jaziel and me here, we can even arrange a driver if needed. I don’t agree with splitting up,” Nolan added firmly.

Seeing that her usual reasoning wasn’t convincing them, Charlotte rubbed her forehead, wondering why they were so insistent. Finally, she decided to play her last card. “In that case, let’s sell this place and buy a larger house where Sophie can live with us too.”

At the mention of Sophie’s name, both men’s eyes lit up, albeit with hesitation.

Finally, Nolan couldn’t resist the suggestion and spoke up first. “If that’s the case, it might not be a bad idea.”

Only Jaziel hesitated, his gaze complicated as he looked at her. “You’d be willing... to have Sophie live with us?”

For some reason, he sensed there was more to this than met the eye. But before he could think further, Charlotte gave a light laugh. “Of course, why wouldn’t I? We’re all friends, after all.”

With that, she made her decision on the spot. “That’s settled then. We’ll sell this place and get a new one.”

At this, Jaziel and Nolan fell silent, no longer opposing her.