Cold husband burning regret

Regret 221 Tricia had fired off several smug, thinly veiled threat texts and waited half an hour, but Charlotte still hadn't replied. Even so, she was in high spirits-her goal was accomplished, after all.

Just then, her phone rang. Mrs. Fontaine was calling.

Tricia answered with a touch of impatience. "Didn't I tell you not to contactunless it was urgent?" "Director Winthrop, you've ruined me!" Mrs. Fontaine's voice was sharp and accusatory, stripped of all previous deference. "You said Mr. Howard wouldn't care even if he found out I went after the Sterlings, remember? Look how that turned out! The Fontaines have cutoff, and now my husband wants a divorce! I must have been out of my mind to listen to your nonsense!" Tricia's expression froze as she realized something was wrong. "What are you talking about, Mrs. Fontaine? Where are you right now?" "Where could I be? Mr. Howard confrontedjust yesterday! I can't stand living like this-always looking over my shoulder! Don't contactagain. I've had enough of your delusions and self-importance. You're nothing but bad luck!" Mrs. Fontaine vented her fury, then hung up abruptly.

Tricia stood rooted to the spot, stunned and pale, as if she'd just seen a ghost.

The door to the hospital room swung open and Evander entered-calm, but his eyes were cold and dark. "Evander... what brings you here?" Tricia forced a smile, trying to steady her nerves. He glanced dispassionately at the phone she was trying to hide. "Who was that on the phone?" She lowered her eyes, feigning casualness. “Just a friend, checking in after hearing I was in the hospital.” Looking up, she tried to steer the conversation, "Evander, I haven't seen Hans in a while. I miss him. Once I'm discharged, I'd like to spend a few days with him." After all, Hans was still her last trump card. Evander adored that child-no matter what resentment he might hold against her, it would fade with time. He'd loved her so much once.

Evander's gaze shifted to the bouquet on the nightstand. He idly ran a finger over 1/2 12:40 Chapter 221 Chapter 221 Tricia had fired off several smug, thinly veiled threat texts and waited half an hour, but Charlotte still hadn't replied. Even so, she was in high spirits-her goal was accomplished, after all.

Just then, her phone rang. Mrs. Fontaine was calling.

Tricia answered with a touch of impatience. "Didn't I tell you not to contactunless it was urgent?" "Director Winthrop, you've ruined me!" Mrs. Fontaine's voice was sharp and accusatory, stripped of all previous deference. "You said Mr. Howard wouldn't care even if he found out I went after the Sterlings, remember? Look how that turned out! The Fontaines have cutoff, and now my husband wants a divorce! I must have been out of my mind to listen to your nonsense!" Tricia's expression froze as she realized something was wrong. "What are you talking about, Mrs. Fontaine? Where are you right now?" "Where could I be? Mr. Howard confrontedjust yesterday! I can't stand living like this-always looking over my shoulder! Don't contactagain. I've had enough of your delusions and self-importance. You're nothing but bad luck!" Mrs. Fontaine vented her fury, then hung up abruptly.

Tricia stood rooted to the spot, stunned and pale, as if she'd just seen a ghost.

The door to the hospital room swung open and Evander entered-calm, but his eyes were cold and dark. "Evander... what brings you here?" Tricia forced a smile, trying to steady her nerves. He glanced dispassionately at the phone she was trying to hide. "Who was that on the phone?" She lowered her eyes, feigning casualness. "Just a friend, checking in after hearing I was in the hospital." Looking up, she tried to steer the conversation, "Evander, I haven't seen Hans in a while. I miss him. Once I'm discharged, I'd like to spend a few days with him." After all, Hans was still her last trump card. Evander adored that child-no matter what resentment he might hold against her, it would fade with time. He'd loved her so much once.

Evander's gaze shifted to the bouquet on the nightstand. He idly ran a finger over 1/2 12:40 the petals. "Did you send Charlotte any messages today?" Tricia's smile faltered; her grip tightened on her phone. "No... not at all, Evander. Why would you ask that?" His eyes narrowed, locking silently onto her face.

For a moment, Evander felt as though the woman in front of him was a stranger. He'd known her for years, shared his life with her-but now he wondered if he'd ever truly known her at all.

Was this who she really was? Or had something happened to turn her into this?

Sensing his scrutiny, Tricia's mask nearly slipped. She reached for his hand, feigning innocence: "Evander, did Charlotte say something about me? I know she's never liked me, but I-" Before she could finish, Evander held up Charlotte's phone. The chat log was open, evidence plain to see.

Tricia's words died in her throat. She began to shake.

Watching her lies crumble yet again, Evander let out a bitter laugh his eyes colder than ever. You've been sending her these messages behind my back all along?" "N-no, it's not like that-" Tricia stammered, her thoughts unraveling. “Evander, letexplain, I didn't mean-' He pulled his hand away from her grasp.

She lost her balance and nearly slid off the bed.

He took out a handkerchief and wiped his hand where she'd touched him. "People say I always favored m you, indulged you. They're right-i owed you, so I gave you whatever you wanted. But you? You used me. Manipulated me. Tried to makethe villain who destroyed the Sterling family. Tricia, have you always been lying tolike this?" Tears streamed down Tricia's cheeks as she trembled uncontrollably. "Evander, it's not-please-" "The truth is right in front of us and you're still lying!" he snapped.

With a sweep of his arm, he knocked the vase off the nightstand. It crashed to the floor, sending water and flowers scattering.

Tricia stared at the shattered glass, her heart seeming to stop.

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