bChapter /b2

Rosemary stared at her for a moment, locking eyes. “That’s not what you said when we first made our agreement,” she said quietly. “What’s the matter–having second thoughts?”

She was. She regretted it all.

Charlotte lowered her gaze, fighting the sting behind her eyes. “I’m sorry I let you down.”

Rosemary closed her eyes with a weary sigh. “Well, so be it. If you want a divorce, have it. I gave you your chance. If you can’t make Evander fall in love with you, then the Howard family owes you nothing.”

A heavy ache settled in Charlotte’s chest. She forced a hollowugh. “Thank you.”

Back at Tranquility Manor.

Charlotte ran into Tricia and her son in the foyer–along with Evander

himself.

They must havee back together, riding in Evander’s car.

For a heartbeat, Charlotte froze.

Tricia’s surprise was obvious as she turned to her. “Dr. Sterling? You live here at Tranquility Manor too?”

Almost reflexively, Charlotte nced at Evander.

He didn’t even spare her a nce, his indifference sharper than any insult. The moreposed he acted, the deeper it cut.

Tranquility Manor was a luxury residence in the heart of the city, one of the Howard family’s properties. Evander had given her this apartment as

20:13

She’d epted because it was close to the hospital.

But she’d never expected Evander to move Tricia and her son in as well.

He really couldn’t wait, could he…

“Quite the coincidence,” Charlotte managed, steadying her voice. She was about to head upstairs when Tricia spoke up again.

“Dr. Sterling, I heard you’re married. Howe we haven’t met your husband?” Tricia asked, almost innocently.

Charlotte’s steps faltered.

My husband?

Her eyes flicked to Evander.

A shadow crossed Evander’s face.

Charlotte almostughed. Was he that terrified Tricia might discover the

truth about them?

She answered coolly, “I don’t have a husband.”

For a fleeting moment, something unreadable flickered in Evander’s always–calm eyes.

“No husband? But aren’t you married, Dr. Sterling?” Tricia kept her

smile.

hospital file did list her as married. But no one had ever seen her supposed husband.

Charlotte let out a bitter smile. “That was just for the paperwork. I don’t have a husband.”

No husband?

Chapter b2 /b

Danger shed in Evander’s eyes.

But with her resignation handed in and her decision made, Charlotte didn’t care about keeping up appearances anymore.

Without another word, she headed into the building, not bothering to look

back.

Night fell.

Charlotte packed up everything she owned, stuffing her life into tworge suitcases in the walk–in closet.

Her gaze fell on the photo from their wedding day–her in a white dress, arm linked through Evander’s. She was all smiles, radiant, while Evander

stood beside her, cold and unreadable.

Back then, she’d thought he just wasn’t the type to smile.

That single photograph had be her most treasured possession.

But now, it only felt like a cruel joke.

He didn’t hate smiling.

He just never wanted to smile at her.

Charlotte picked up the frame, stared at it onest time, then tossed it. into a cardboard box–buried with all the other things she’d left behind.

When she left the bedroom, the sound of the front door caught her

attention.

Evander hade home.

She walked into the living room and saw him at the entryway, hanging up his coat and switching out his shoes.

Charlotte took a steadying breath and approached. “Aren’t you going to exin yourself about today?”

About moving Tricia and her son into Tranquility Manor.

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Chapter b2 /b

Evander loosened his tie, his eyes cold and distant. “Exin what?”

“This ce is close to the hospital. You think it’s fine for me to live here, but not them?”

He draped the tie over his arm and met her gaze. “Charlotte, you already got what you wanted. Don’t be petty.”

His words left her hollow inside.

Petty?

Yes, in his eyes, she’d already won the title of Mrs. Howard. If she dared to challenge Tricia and her son, she was just being petty.

Evander turned to head for his room, but Charlotte called out, “We need to

talk.”

He stopped and, with thinly veiled impatience, turned to face her. His eyes were icy and remote. “What now?”

“Let’s get a divorce.”

Charlotte slid off her wedding ring and curled it tightly in her palm. “I’ll set you free.”

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bChapter /bb3 /b