RedNovelRegret 131 Charlotte tried to pull her hand free, but Evander's grip was too strong. After struggling for a while, she let out an exasperated laugh. "Evander, weren't you the one who toldto keep my distance from you? You didn't want people to get the wrong idea, remember? What, have you forgotten your own words?" Evander's brow furrowed as the memory flickered in his mind. He had said that.
He'd assumed she didn't care either...
His grip on her wrist loosened slightly. "You remember it pretty well, don't you?" "I've got a good memory. Sthings you might've forgotten, but I haven't." Charlotte finally wrenched her hand free, her words pointed.
She'd tested him so many times, but all she ever got in return was his silence.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtMaybe it was for the best. That part of their past was a nightmare for him, anyway. If he wanted to forget, she'd let him.
There was a faint, detached smile in Charlotte's eyes. "Let's just keep things the way they were-strangers, nothing more. I appreciate you stepping in fortoday, but that's what you should've done. I don't owe you anything." She didn't wait for a reply. Without a backward glance, Charlotte walked away.
Evander stood in the garden, watching her go, a flicker of guilt and regret passing through his eyes.
Mr. and Mrs. Sterling had just returned from the hospital when they noticed neighbors eyeing them curiously, whispering behind their backs.
Rachel was all too familiar with that kind of atmosphere.
Any whiff of gossip in this neighborhood, and everyone acted the same.
"Hey, Xavier, you two are back?" The owner of a nearby food stall, always bold and nosy, called out to them. So, is it true what I heard-your daughter's got herself mixed up with srich guy? People are saying she's his mistress-is that right?" The Sterlings' faces darkened instantly.
Xavier snapped, "Nonsense! Who's spreading these lies?" 13:02 "I don't know," the vendor shrugged, "That's just what I heard. Everyone around here's talking about it." As more people gathered, drawn by the commotion, Xavier's face went pale with anger. "Who's making up these stories? My daughter is not anyone's mistress!" "Con, Xavier," someone chimed in, "You always said your daughter was married, but she's always coming halone. We've never even seen her husband." "Yeah, you know what they say-where there's smoke, there's fire. If it's not true, why would people be talking?" Xavier was at a loss for words. He knew there was no proof, but he couldn't argue without sounding desperate. Rachel slipped her arm through Xavier's, fixing the crowd with a steely gaze. "Since when does a son-in-law have to visit his in-laws all the time? Did the Lockwoods' son-in-law ever cby to see his wife's parents? And besides, once kids are married, it's their business how they live-not ours. What, did we invite him to move in with us?" Her words put a stop to the murmurs.
She pressed on, voice ringing clear, "If I hear anyone spreading rumors about my daughter again, I swear I won't let it slide-even if it means making a scene!" Once the Sterlings walked away, the crowd soon dispersed.
Back at home, Xavier was so upset he couldn't even drink a glass of water. He sat hunched on the couch, running a hand through his graying hair.
Rachel took schilled fruit from the fridge and set it on the table. "Xavier, it's just gossip. Don't let it get to you."
"How can I not?" Xavier's voice trembled with frustration. "It never rains but it pours. Ever since our son got hurt, nothing's gone right!" Rachel hesitated, wanting to say more but holding back.
Ever since Hiram's accident, the Howards had paid for all his medical bills, but the Sterling's business had been hit with setback after setback. Lately, it was nothing but losses.
Xavier used to believe that the Howards taking an interest in Charlotte was the best thing that' could happen for their family. When he found out Charlotte wanted to divorce Evander, he'd been the most upset of all. 2/3 190 He'd hoped the Howards could give the Sterlings a leg up, and that his only son might have a bright future, perhaps even a government job.
But now, with his son lying motionless in a hospital bed, he realized how completely he'd failed as a father.
He didn't care about his son's career anymore. All he wanted was for him to wake up-healthy, alive. Suddenly, his phone buzzed on the table. A new message popped up: [Want to know who started the rumor about your daughter? Cto this address.]
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