Hospital.

Charlotte slipped past Tricia and went straight to Dean Chase to request bthe /b

afternoon off. He agreed without hesitation.

Only after leaving the office did she open her group chat and tag Tricia babout /bbtaking /bthe time off.

Whether Tricia approved or not, Charlotte didn’t care.

Meanwhile, upon hearing that Evander would attend their son’s birthday dinnerb, /bXavier wasted no time spreading the news to every rtive he could think of, beaming with pride.

After all, since Charlotte married into the Howard family, Evander could count the number of times he’d visited the Sterlings on one hand. He’d hardly even met the extended family. Because the marriage had been kept secret, most rtives still doubted Xavier’s ims that Evander was their son–inw, thinking he was just making it up.

Rachel, Charlotte’s mother, watched her husband glow with anticipation and couldn’t help but worry. “Honey, don’t you think you’ve invited a few too many people? Didn’t the Howards insist on keeping things private?”

“Charlottecks ambition, and now you’re acting like her?” Xavier shot her a look. “Doesn’t matter who Evander’s heart is set on–Charlotte is his wife, in and simple. I’m not foolish enough to let them get a divorce.”

“But…”

“Rachel, you need to think about Hiram. If Charlotte and Evander split up now, it won’t do our son any good.”

Rachel lowered her gaze. “I know that, but… I just worry that if we do all this, Evander will be unhappy.”

“They’re all family, and it’s not like we’re making a scene. You’re worrying for nothing.”

Charlotte stood silently in the entryway, having overheard every word from the living room. She never interrupted.

It wasn’t until Hiram came downstairs, calling, “Sis!” that her parents reali. she’d arrived. No one knew how long she’d been there, or how much she’d heard…

b09:50 /b

bRachel /bbstered /bbon /bba /bbsmile /bbto /bbcover /bbher /bbembarrassment /bband /bbwalked /bover Lett byou’re /bhere early. Why didn’t byou /blet bme /bknow byou’d /bbbe /bbing/bb?/bb” /b

b“/bbIt /bbmakes /bno difference whether I’m early orte,” Charlotte breplied /bbcoolly /b

Rachel’s smile faltered; she looked away, clearly ufortable.

“Where’s Evander? Didn’t hee with you?” Xavier’s concern was all babout /b

appearances. “Your grandma and the rest are on their way. Don’t let banything /bbgo /bwrong now.”

“Dad, it doesn’t matter if my brother–inwes or inot/i. We’re still a family either way,” Hiram said, unconcerned.

That set Xavier off. “What’s wrong with you? Do you have any sense at all?”

“If I don’t, I must’ve inherited it from you,” came Hiram’s deadpan reply.

“You-!”

Xavier red at him, feeling his blood pressure spike. This ungrateful son would be the death of him.

At a cozy bistro, Tricia joined Hans and Evander for lunch–a make–up meal for thest time Hans had been in the hospital, when Evander hadn’t been able to visit.

“Uncle, I want this one!” Hans pointed eagerly at the lobster, eyes shining with anticipation.

“Of course.” Evander smiled, signaling the waiter to prepare it.

Once the meat was neatly ted, Evander slid the dish in front of Hans.

Tricia grinned, shaking her head. “Evander, you’re spoiling him far too much. He’ll be impossible to handle.”

“It’s fine. As long as he’s happy,” Evander replied, ruffling Hans’s hair with a gentle indulgence.

Hans dug in with his fork, but in his excitement, knocked over a wine ss. The liquid sshed across Evander’s pant leg.

“Hans, what do you think you’re-” Tricia nearly scolded him outright, but caught

bd /bbto /bbe herself just in time. She softened her tone, ncing at Evander. “You‘ more careful. What if you’d broken the ss and hurt Mr. Howard?” Hans froze, guilt welling in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Uncle…” Would Evander bstill /blike

bhim/bb? /b

Evander quickly checked Hans for Injuries band/b, seeing bnone/bb, /bbreassured /bbhim/b. bI’m /bfine. You’re not hurt, that’s what matters.”

He stood up, and the waiter promptly led him to the restroom.

Tricia shot Hans a sharp look and scoffed. “Watch yourself. If you mess bup /bbagain/b, you can forget about seeing Mr. Howard.”

Hans hung his head, too intimidated to speak.

Just then, the phone on the table lit up.

It was Evander’s.

M

09:50