“What’s that supposed to mean?” Genevieve stamped her foot in frustration when the bodyguard stayed silent. She shouted toward the hospital room, “Evan! I’m your little sister! What did I do to make you so mad at me?”

    A mocking voice echoed down the corridor. “Well, look iwho /iit is–the Howard family’s princess herself! What’s wrong, Gen? Never thought your brother would lock you out one day, huh?”

    Genevieve spun around when she heard Lilith’s voice. She shot a nce at Charlotte, then red at Lilith. “Why are you so pleased with yourself? He’s your brother, too!”

    Lilith smirked, her expression all mischief. “True, but he didn’t lock me out, did he?”

    “You-”

    “I told you before, you get away with anything just because you’re a Howard. Looks like even your brother’s had enough of you.”

    Genevieve’s eyes shed with anger. She clenched her purse tightly and turned on her heel, striding away.

    Charlotte watched her go, then turned to Lilith, who was practically glowing with satisfaction. “iYou /iand Genevieve don’t get along, do you?”

    Lilith scoffed, not even bothering to hide her distaste. “Why would I? When I was a kid visiting the city, she’d always pick on me just because she was a Howard. Everyone thinks she’s the golden girl of the family, but honestly, she barely has any real friends. She acts like a spoiled princess and expects everyone to cater to her. If herst name wasn’t Howard, someone would’ve knocked some sense into her a long time ago.”

    Charlotte couldn’t help butugh.

    Lilith leaned in, grinning. “Sister–inw, you have such a beautiful smile.

    b12:43 /b

    You should do it more often!”

    Charlotte paused, surpriseb/bolli“This is the first time we’ve met. How do you know I don’t smile much?” /li/ol

    “I’ve seen the photo albums.”

    Charlotte blinked. “Photo albums?”

    Lilith nodded. “The ones with you, my aunt, and my brother. In all those pictures, you hardly ever smile.”

    Charlotte fell silent. She suddenly recalled the family portraits taken not long after her wedding–group photos at every family gathering. Back then, she knew Evander didn’t love her. How could she have managed to smile in those moments, knowing how alone she felt?

    “I never met you before, but I recognized you because I saw your pictures with my cousin,” Lilith added.

    At that, Charlotte’s expression tightened ever so slightly.

    Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Evander slipped a photograph between the pages of his book, pulling it out now and then to look at it. It was the only photo he had with Charlotte–him unsmiling and distant, her face radiant and real, a contrast so sharp it almost hurt.

    The door creaked open. He shut the book. “I thought you’d left.”

    Charlotte didn’t see what he was looking at. She went to the window, folded her arms, and sat down. “Your bodyguards took my bag and my ID. Do you really think I could leave?”

    A faint smile touched his lips as he nced at her. “You could always call Wesley to pick you up. He’s a Rayburn. Maybe my parents would return your things out of respect for his family.”

    She hesitated, turning away. “Easy for you to say. I’m still your wife–we’re not officially divorced. I’m still the Howard family’s daughter–inw. If the Rayburns came to get me, it would look like the Howards were making concessions, and the gossip would be all about how I’m a terrible daughter–inw, causing trouble the minute I was epted back into the

    12:43

    Rayburn family.”

    He chuckled softly. “You really do think of everything.”

    “You should focus on starting your treatment.”

    “Will you stay with me if I do?”

    She faltered, meeting his gaze for a moment before looking away. “If you refuse treatment, I can’t leave. I have work, iyou /iiknow/i.”

    Evander’s smile was gentle. “Alright. If you stay with me, I’ll cooperate.”

    Charlotte’s eyes flickered, but she didn’t answer.

    Meanwhile, Riverspire City.