When Mrs. Rayburn agreed without hesitation, he hooked his pinky finger out for a promise, the way children do–and Mrs. Rayburn was an absolute softie for that sort of thing.

    With just that, he managed to coax a smile out of her all on his own.

    Wesley’s jaw tensed, but he couldn’t find a word to argue back.

    If anyone was to me, it was himself–for not meeting her before his

    sister had married Evander.

    After Mrs. Rayburn settled down to rest, the three of them finally left the bedroom. As soon as they stepped out into the hospital hallway, before Charlotte could say a word, Wesley grabbed Evander by the cor and stared straight at him. “Is it really appropriate, Mr. Howard, to use such maniptive tactics on someone struggling with mental illness?”

    Charlotte snapped out of her daze, worried her brother might actually punch him—and the Howard family would never let that slide. Dealing with Miranda alone was already exhausting.

    “Wes, just calm down for a second.”

    Wesley didn’t let go, his eyes locked on Evander’s easy, almost careless

    expression.

    Evander met his gaze. “Mrs. Rayburn may be unwell, but she recognizes her own daughter better than either you or your father. All I did was talk to her, treat her like family. How does that count as maniption?”

    Wesley froze, veins standing out on the back of his hand.

    He’d struck a nerve.

    “Evander, that’s enough!” Charlotte shoved her brother aside and stepped between them. “Why do you always have to go for the sore spot? Can’t you just let it go for once?”

    His eyes dimmed a little. “Am I really the one who’s being unreasonable?”

    12.45

    She avoided his gaze. “What goes on between my dad and my brother is none of your business. Besides…” She paused for a moment, then looked him in the eye. “Of all people, you’re thest one who gets to say that.”

    Evander’s posture stiffened, the easy smile fading from his face. His dark eyes, usually calm and unreadable, suddenly seemed to hide a storm beneath the surface.

    So this is what it feels like, to be shot down sopletely…

    Charlotte grabbed Wesley and hurried past him, leaving Evander standing alone in the empty corridor, his figure swallowed up by the silence.

    As Charlotte and Wesley stepped out of the elevator, he suddenly grinned. “Weren’t you afraid you’d make him pass out from anger?”

    She mumbled, “If I’m taking my brother’s side, what right does he have to be upset?”

    Wesley put a hand on her shoulder with a mock–serious sigh. “I’ll let him off the hook, seeing as he’s a patient. You, though–you only remember you have a big brother when you need backup. Funny how that works.”

    Charlotte was leftpletely speechless.

    After splitting up with Wesley, Charlotte returned to the inpatient ward. As soon as she pushed the door open, a shadow loomed up behind her, pulling her into a tight embrace, his face buried in the curve of her neck.

    There was a stubbornness to his grip, but also a note of wounded. usation. “You really just left me here all alone? Weren’t you worried something might actually happen to your poor, sick patient?”

    He sounded almost like he was sulking, as if she’d been unreasonably

    cruel.

    Charlotte tried to wriggle free, but when she couldn’t, she gave up with a sigh. “With strength like yours, you hardly seem like someone on the verge of copse.”

    17:45 1

    He chuckled low in his throat, running his fingers through her hair. When his hand brushed her ear, she ducked away, sensitive.

    Evander lowered his gaze, staring at her soft lips, barely resisting the urge to kiss her. “Fine, say whatever you want about me. I won’t get mad.” Sheughed, “You don’t really have the right to be mad, do you?”

    Feeling his grip loosen, Charlotte quickly slipped out of his arms. “And would you please keep your hands to yourself from now on?”

    She was about to head into her room when he spoke up quietly, “What did my mother say to you that day?”

    She stopped in her tracks, hesitating before answering. “She told me to look after you. Not to let anyone hurt her precious soni.” /iBefore Evander could respond, she slipped into the guest room and closed the door.

    Evander stared after her, thoughtful.

    The next day.

    After Charlotte apanied Evander to his therapy session, Miranda arrived with a packed lunch. Seeing he looked far better than before, she decided to let Charlotte off the hook, at least for now.

    Once she’d booked her ne ticket, Charlotte announced without preamble, “I’m going back to Riverspire City for a while.”

    Miranda’s face darkened a shade. “Didn’t you promise me you wouldn’t?”

    “Hiram’s in trouble. He might not be my real brother, but he’s the only one my foster parents left behind.” Charlotte’s voice was calm but firm. “You’re a mother. Surely you can understand how it feels when your child is in danger.”

    “You-”

    Miranda was about to snap, but Evander nudged the box of pastries toward Charlotte. “Why don’t you try one of these?”

    12.45 M