The nurse couldn’t help butugh. “Mr. Howard, you should have some breakfast first. It’s almost time for your IV.”

    He grunted in acknowledgment, then turned to look at Charlotte.

    But Charlotte averted her gaze, refusing to meet his eyes.

    He let out a faint, helpless chuckle before walking out of the iroom/i.

    Once everyone else had left, Lilith finally sidled up to Charlotte and whispered, “So… are you and Evan back together?”

    “No,” Charlotte replied tly.

    “Then why’d you two sleep in the same bed?”

    Charlotte let out a huff ofughter, exasperated. “That’s because your brother has no shame and climbed into my bed on his own.”

    Lilith stared at her, dumbfounded.

    Across town, Tricia followed the address to Gracewell Aesthetics Institute. The receptionist led her to the director’s office, where a woman sat in a leather chair, slowly turning to face her. “You’re here. Please, have

    a seat.”

    Tricia sat down, eyeing the woman carefully. “I’ve never seen you before. Who exactly are you?”

    Zoe smiled slightly. i“/iiOf /icourse you haven’t met me, but I know who you

    are.”

    “And how would you know anything about me?”

    Noting Tricia’s wariness, Zoe rose and walked over to the minibar, pouring a cup of tea. “I know the Vinterberg men. Naturally, I know you as well.”

    Tricia’s fingers curled tightly around her purse strap, but she said nothing:

    12:44

    Zoe carried the cup over and ced it in front of her. “I told you, we’re not enemies. There’s no need to be so guarded.”

    “How am I supposed to know that?”

    “My motives are pretty simple,” Zoe said calmly. “I don’t want Charlotte returning to the Rayburn family. And you, if I’m not mistaken, don’t want her overshadowing you, either.”

    Zoe’s words made Tricia pause.

    Not only did this woman have leverage over her, she also seemed to know everything about Tricia’s predicament. If she didn’t go along with Zoe now, who knew what trouble she’d be facing next?

    “Fine,” Tricia agreed. “I’ll work with you.”

    Two dayster.

    Judd was heading back to his office after finishing his rounds when he overheard the nurses chatting about Charlotte’s leave of absence.

    He stopped mid–step.

    Charlotte’s vacation wasn’t supposed tost this long, but she still hadn’t returned. Was she staying in the city because of Evander?

    Judd’s expression darkened as he entered his office.

    Gentry was waiting inside, and couldn’t help teasing him. “You know, Judd, now that Charlotte’s gone, you’re back to your old self again.”

    Judd sat down. “What do you mean by ‘my old self“?”

    Gentry grinned. “Cold as ice and all business. But when Charlotte’s aroundi, /iyou’re a lot more… human.”

    Judd frowned. “That has nothing to do with her.”

    Gentry snorted, seeing right through him but deciding not to press.

    Just then, Noreen burst in–she was looking for Gentry, and of course,

    12:44

    found him in Judd’s office. “Gentry,e on! I need you.”

    Gentry pointed at himself. “Me?”

    “Hurry up, it’s urgent!”

    “What’s so urgent?”

    “Isn’t Charlotte’s brother at Summitview Wellness Retreat? Vera just called–she says someone took him away!”

    Gentry’s eyes widened as he recalled Vera, the nurse who was close friends with Charlotte. Charlotte had even asked him to look out for her

    brother.

    He nced at Judd.

    Judd was already on his feet. “Where is he?”

    –

    Meanwhile, Tricia was pushing Hiram’s wheelchair down a quiet path by theke, deliberately choosing a secluded route. She stopped, walked around to face him, and crouched down slowly.

    Hiram stared ahead, his expression nk.

    The nurse said you’re awake, but you can’t speak. What a shame,” Tricia said softly, searching his eyes. “But you can hear me, can’t you?”

    Hiram didn’t move, but his eyes shifted toward her.

    Tricia smiled. “Good, I want you to listen carefully. A lot has happened while you were in aa, Charlotte probably hasn’t told you, but your parents are dead.”

    Hiram’s fingers twitched, his eyelids fluttering.

    “Of course she didn’t tell you. Makes sense–she’s not a real Sterling. She’s a Rayburn by birth. After your parents died, she abandoned you and ran off to the city to join her biological family!”

    b3/2 /b

    19

    bChapter /b375