RedNovelRegret 257 Chapter 257 After returning to Summitview Wellness Retreat, Charlotte's first stop was Hiram Sterling's bedroom to check on him. Stlater, her phone buzzed with a message from Wesley Rayburn: *Sorry, Lottie. I wasn't ignoring you-it's just that Mom's taken a turn for the worse.* Charlotte replied instantly: *Is she alright?* Wesley: *She's stable. Getting treatment now. Everything good on your end?* Charlotte: *All good here. Don't worry about me-just look after your mom.* As footsteps sounded outside her door, Charlotte quickly slipped her phone away.
She stepped out of the bedroom and heard voices from the living room. Approaching quietly, she caught a sharp whiff of alcohol before she even rounded the partition.
Two security guards were helping Evander onto the couch. He slumped back, pressing his thumb and fingers against his brow as if trying to stave off a headache.
Natalie draped Evander's suit jacket over the back of a chair. "Letask the nurse to make you shangover soup," she suggested.
He kept his eyes closed. "Don't bother." The guards exchanged glances. A nurse wouldn't do-everyone knew it really had to be- Just then, both guards spotted Charlotte behind the partition and nodded. "Ma'am." Natalie turned to look at her.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtCharlotte stiffened, her expression flat. "Don't look at me. I'm not the nurse." She turned and walked away.
One of the guards watched her retreat, muttering under his breath, “Isn't she a bit cold?" 1/3 12 54 Chapter 257 "Honestly, what woman wouldn't be in her place-" The second guard's words died as Natalie shot them a warning glare, and both fell silent.
Suddenly, Evander opened his eyes, his jaw tense. "You can all go." Once the others left, Evander loosened his collar and stumbled back to his room, swaying slightly.
Not long after, Charlotte heard something shatter in the neighboring room-but no one crunning.
She hesitated, then opened her door and crossed to Evander's bedroom. Knocking firmly, she called out, "Evander! If you're going to throw a drunken tantrum, do it somewhere else!" No answer.
Charlotte tried the handle. The door opened, and she stepped inside. The sight that greeted her was Evander slumped on the floor beside the bed, one knee bent, back resting against the frame. A shattered glass lay nearby, water soaking into the carpet. His palm was bloody, glinting with shards of glass.
For a moment, Charlotte froze, staring at the blood trickling down his hand-but instinct took over. She grabbed the landline and called the front desk, requesting a nurse and a first aid kit.
Hanging up, she knelt to inspect his injury.
Evander slowly raised his head, dark eyes rippling with something unreadable. "Didn't you wantdead?" She shot him a look, brows drawn. "If you want to die, do it somewhere else. At least not in front of a doctor." As the words left her mouth, Evander suddenly grabbed her with his other hand, pulling her against his chest. Charlotte tried to push him away, but he wouldn't let go. "I'm trying to help you. That doesn't mean you get to take advantage of me!" A faint, rueful smile tugged at his lips. His voice was hoarse. “I'm in agony-taking advantage of you is the last thing on my mind. Besides, you're my wife. Can't I hold you, just for a moment?" Trapped in his unyielding embrace, Charlotte gritted her teeth. “Let go of me, Evander. Now." He held her tighter. "Charlotte, didn't you say our marriage didn't have any 2/3 12:54 Chapter 257 feelings?" Her breath caught.
Evander rested his forehead on her shoulder, arms wrapped securely around her "Then let's start over. Let's have a marriage with real feelings." Charlotte went utterly still.
She'd waited six years for Evander to love her. Six long years.
The cruel irony was, now that he finally wanted her, she'd lost her parents. When she'd loved him, he'd dismissed her without a second nex thought. And now, after everything she'd endured, he wanted to talk about love? What did her pain and humiliation count for, then? She couldn't just swallow that-not now.
Evander lifted his head, fingers brushing her cheek. As he leaned in to kiss her Charlotte turned away, dodging his lips. He froze, completely still.
The heat in his eyes faded to a bleak hollowness. He released her, voice raw. "I'm sorry." Footsteps hurried outside. Charlotte quickly got to her feet.
The nurse entered with the first aid kit and stopped short, startled by the scene.
She moved to help, but Evander pulled his bloody hand away and looked at Charlotte. "I want you to do it." 12.54 212
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