Charlotte had slept soundly in the guest roomst night–her first truly restful sleep

in ages.

It wasn’t until breakfast the next morning that she saw Evander at the dining table. He looked unusually tired, a rare exhaustion shadowing his normally striking, fair features.

Lana brought out breakfast, half–expecting Charlotte to reach out and help, as she always used to. But Charlotte sat motionless, her hands folded in herp, showing no intent to assist. Lana paused, surprised by the sudden change, picking up on the tension between them.

Had they argued?

Evander buttoned his cuffs with methodical care, his gaze fixed on the untouched breakfast. He remembered how, in the past, whenever he stayed at Tranquility Manor, Charlotte would always rise early to make him breakfast. Now, she slept inter than he did.

He picked up his knife and fork with deliberate slowness, ncing over to see Charlotte quietly eating her own meal,pletely absorbed, as if he wasn’t even there. His lips pressed into a thin line. After a moment, he set down his silverware with a frustrated tter.

“Sir, is your breakfast not to your liking?” Lana asked, worry flickering in her eyes.

She couldn’t help wondering–if she failed at breakfast, would her pay be docked?

Charlotte paused but said nothing.

“I’m not hungry,” Evander replied, rising from the table. He grabbed his coat from the back of his chair and left without another word.

Lana hesitated, watching the door m shut behind him. She turned to Charlotte, looking stricken. “Ma’am, is the food really that bad today?”

Charlotte shook her head, her voice gentle but weary. “No, Lana, don’t worry. He lost his appetite for reasons that have nothing to do with breakfast.”

Lana’s face rxed into a sheepish grin. “That’s a relief–as long as I’m not getting in trouble.”

After a moment’s thought, she added, “Forgive me for saying so, but maa.., I can tell he cares about you. He wouldn’t get upset otherwise.”

b09:38 /bR

bCharlotte blinked/bb, /bbcaught /bboff /bbguard/b.

bEvander /bbcared /bbabout /bbher/bb? /bThat bhad /bbto /bbbe /bthe most bridiculous /bbthing /bbshe’d /bheard all bweek/b.

bShe /bbforced /ba smile. “Lana, are you sure you’re not imagining thingsb?/b”

“Oh, I know what I see,” Lana insisted cheerfully. “Back when he had breakfast bhere /byou always made sure he wasfortable, asked if he’d slept well, if he liked bthe /bfood. I think he’s just upset because you didn’t ask this morning!”

Lana seemed more certain of Evander’s feelings than Charlotte herself.

But she wasn’t entirely wrong.

In the past, having Evander stay the night was a luxury Charlotte barely dared hope for. Breakfasts were her only chance to be alone with him–and every time, she managed to ruin it.

Maybe it never mattered what she did or said; in his eyes, she was always insignificant.

Now, she didn’t want to fuss over him anymore. She didn’t want her world to revolve

around him. Shouldn’t he be relieved?

Charlotte didn’t answer. She didn’t want to indulge in any more wishful thinking or misunderstandings when it came to him.

***

When Charlotte arrived at the hospital, a nurse on her way out called to her from the station. “Dr. Sterling, Director Winthrop wants to see you in her office.”

“Did she say what it’s about?”

“No, just asked you toe by.”

Charlotte nodded and made her way to Tricia’s office.

As soon as she opened the door, Tricia’s son Hans aimed a toy water gun at her and fired, giggling from the corner. “Baddy gets squirted!”

A huge wet spot spread across Charlotte’s top. She scowled, fighting the urge to pin the little brat to the floor.

Tricia strolled over, perfectly calm, and offered a handkerchief. “Sorry, Dr. Sterling. He’s a handful. Don’t take it personally. Do you want to use this to dry of^”

Charlotte shook her head and fished a tissue from her purse. “If there’s nothing

212

b09:38 /b

belse/bb, /bbI’ll /bbhead /bbback /bbto my /bboffice/bb. /b

bTricia /bbput /bbaway /bbthe /bbhandkerchief/bb, /bbraising /bban /bbeyebrow /bbbut /bbnot /bblosing /bbher /bposure b“/bbStill /bbas /bbheadstrong /bas ever, bDr. /bSterling. But bdon’t /bbforget/b–bI’m /bbyour /bbboss /bbnow/b,