bChapter /bb389 /b

    “Hiram…” Charlotte hadn’t expected him to react so strongly. She reached out, wanting tofort him, but before she could, he pleaded, “Sis, let him go, please. I don’t want to see him.”

    Worried Hiram would be further upset, Charlotte got up and walked toward Evander. “You should leave for now.”

    Evander didn’t budge; he just looked at Hiram and said quietly, “I know you resent me. I can’t deny my share of responsibility for what happened with Tricia, but I promise you–I won’t let her get away with it.”

    “I don’t believe you.”

    Hiram turned away, his face a wall of pain. Some wounds just don’t heal.

    Charlotte said nothing more. She took Evander by the arm and led him out into the hallway. “He doesn’t want to see you. Please stoping back–he can’t handle any more stress.”

    Evander’s voice was hoarse. “You and your brother–always saying the same thing.”

    He remembered: she’d once told him she didn’t trust him, either.

    Charlotte didn’t ask what he meant, nor did she care to find out. She looked away. “You should go home.”

    “I’ll igo /iif you answer the question I asked in the elevator,” Evander pressed, stepping closer. “Why did you lie to me?”

    Charlotte tensed, silent.

    “You could’ve told me from the start–that the gift was for him.”

    “If I’d told you right away, would you have let me give it?” She didn’t bother hiding anymore, now that her secret was out. “Do I need your approval every time I want to give someone a present?”

    Evander’s chest heaved. “But you shouldn’t have lied to me!”

    12.47

    “Oh, you can lie to me, but I can’t lie to you?” Charlotte stared back at him, her eyes zing. “Evander, the night Tricia came back, you told me you were workingte at the office. But your darling sister sent me photos–showing you and Tricia together. What, do you want me to pretend I didn’t notice?”

    He froze, jaw tight.

    That night, when Tricia had first returned, he hadn’t been at the office. Charlotte had messaged him, and he hadn’t wanted her to

    misunderstand, but…

    “It’s not the same-”

    “How is it any different? At the end of the day, it’s still a lie, isn’t it?”

    Her words stung, leaving him speechless, his face shadowed.

    Charlotte stepped closer, her voice steely. “I never said I forgave you for the past, so stop trying to make demands like you used to. It doesn’t work anymore.”

    “Besides, you once locked me up–you forced me. And look how that ended. Now, I have my father, my brother. I’m not going to sacrifice myself again.”

    With that, Charlotte brushed past him and walked away.

    Evander stood rooted to the spot, deste..

    You reap what you sow–he’d brought all this upon himself.

    His grandmother had warned him, someday he’d regret everything.

    Now those words came back, sharp as a knife, and cut right to his heart.

    Just then, his phone rang. Natalie was calling.

    Evanderposed himself and answered. “Mr. Howard,” she said, “I’ve found Miss Winthrop’s adoptive father. And I’ve uncovered some leads on the person backing her.”

    …

    15473

    Chapter b389 /b

    Around noon, Charlotte dug through her purse and found Zoe’s business

    card. She dialed the number.

    It rang for a while before someone finally picked up. “Hello?”

    Charlotte’s voice was calm. “It’s me. Charlotte.”

    Zoe sounded genuinely surprised, then let out a softugh. “Charlotte–well, I never thought you’d call me first.”

    “I never expected to, either. I just learned you’re actually rted to the Rayburn family. Should I be calling you Aunt Zoe now?i” /i

    “Wesley told you?”

    Charlotte stood by a window in the stairwell, gazing out at the city. She didn’t answer directly. “Do you have time to meet?”

    She’d thought Zoe might be nervous or try to avoid her, but instead, Zoe agreed without hesitation and picked a ce.

    They met at a bistro with live music.

    An hourter, Charlotte arrived. Zoe was already seated by the window, as elegant as ever. Charlotte noticed she still favored thosece gloves.

    Charlotte sat down without waiting for an invitation. Zoe drew her gaze away from the street outside, focusing on Charlotte’s face. “You really do look just like your mother.”

    Charlotte smiled. “Do you mean that?”

    Zoe poured herself a ss of fruit tea. “Actually, before I had surgery, I looked exactly like your mother too. We’re identical twins.”