The next day, Charlotte received the investigation report from Vera. As expected, it confirmed her suspicions.

    Tricia’s alibi ced her at the Gracewell Aesthetics Institute, with Zoe as her witness.

    Was Zoe so determined to keep her from returning ito /ithe Rayburn family purely out of old grudges? Charlotte wished she understood the real reason, but she was still in the dark.

    “Lottie?!”

    Her steps faltered as she entered the lobby of Vandermere Private Hospital and nearly collided with Wesley and Julian.

    She’d almost forgotten–her mother, Mrs. Rayburn, was also admitted here, just on a different floor.

    Wesley was already striding toward her, and Charlotte felt a stab of awkwardness. She should have realized they’d eventually run into each other under the same roof.

    But she hadn’t expected to be stuck in the Capital for this many days.

    “Wes…”

    “I thought you’d gone back to Riverspire?” Wesley’s tone was both concerned and surprised.

    “Yeah, weren’t you supposed to be back in Riverspire? What brings you running back here?” Julian, standing at Wesley’s side, looked just as curious.

    Charlotte forced a smile. “Sorry, Wes, I wasn’t trying to keep this from you…”

    Wesley’s brow furrowed. If she’d deliberately stayed behind in the Capital, could it be-

    “Is this because of Evander?”

    12 44 @

    “No!” Charlotte’s denial was instant and perhaps a bit too sharp. Realizing she’d overreacted, she took a steadying breath. “That’s not it. I didn’t n to stay, but since the divorce hasn’t gone through, I’m still legally part of the Howard family.”

    She exined further, “Mrs. Howard promised me that if I stayed and helped Evander through his treatment, she’d persuade him to sign the divorce papers.”

    “Do you really trust Miranda?” Wesley let out a shortugh. “She’d say anything for her son. Don’t let her string you along.”

    Charlotte fell silent, at a loss for words.

    Wesley took her gently by the wrist. “Come on, you’reing with me to

    see the Howards.”

    “Wes-”

    She barely had time to protest when the elevator doors slid open and Evander stepped out.

    The moment their eyes met, tension crackled in the air–neither said a word, but the atmosphere was electric.

    Evander stopped in front of them, his expression unreadable. Whether by ident or design, he said, “Mr. Rayburn, you look a little under the weather. Everything alright?”

    “I could ask you the same, Mr. Howard.” Wesley’s voice was cold. “My sister’s been kept here by your family without so much as a courtesy call. Is that how the Howards handle things now?”

    “That was an oversight on my father’s part,” Evander replied smoothly. “Once I’m discharged, I’ll make a formal apology to your family myself. Will that suffice?”

    Wesley studied him, clearly searching for a w in hisposure but finding none.

    After a moment, Wesley’s tone softened–slightly. “Just focus on getting better, Mr. Howard. I’d hate for your recovery to… dy my sister’s future.”

    12-44 )

    Evander’s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.

    Turning to Charlotte, Wesley spoke quietly. “I know you’re worried, but you should remember: the Rayburns would go to bat for you, no matter who we upset in the process.”

    His words weren’t only for her–they were a pointed reminder to Evander as well.

    Evander just smiled, saying nothing.

    Charlotte blinked, then managed a lightugh. “Guess I’m just inot /iused to all this yet!”

    Wesley gave her an exasperated look. “I’m going to visit Mom. Are youing?”

    “I’ll go with you,” Charlotte said right away.

    Before they could head off, Evander interjected, as if it had just urred

    to him, “I don’t think I’ve ever been formally introduced to my

    mother–inw.”

    Wesley’s expression darkened slightly.

    As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Evander was still his

    brother–inw–at least on paper.

    A thought seemed to strike Wesley, and he suddenly grinned. “Well then, Mr. Howard, if you’re my sister’s husband, shouldn’t you call me

    ‘brother‘?”

    Evander’s smile faded a fraction.

    He was actually a year older than Wesley, and calling him “brother” stuck

    in his throat.

    Wesley feigned disappointment. “What, Mr. Howard? Not willing to show a little respect?”

    Charlotte could barely keep fromughing. Knowing Evander’s pride, she was sure he’d never say it–her brother was obviously just teasing him.

    314

    12 b44 /b

    Evander’s jaw tightened, but after a moment he let out a shortugh. “Alright. Brother.”

    12.44