Evander had slipped out at some point, and by the time Charlotte snapped bback /bbto /breality, the apartment was cold and empty.

His words “You’re not worthy,” “You don’t deserve it“-echoed in her mind, each syble jabbing at her heart. No matter how battered it already was, it still hurt.

He imed he didn’t care about her title as Mrs. Howard, about who she really was. But if he truly didn’t care, why did he treat her like this?

Charlotte leaned against the wall, slowly sliding down until she was crouched on the floor. For the first time, she felt utterly powerless.

Two dayster, news broke to the Sterling couple that their son was under arrest for kidnapping, and might be facing jail time. They were stunned, unable to believe it until they saw Hiram at the police station and confirmed it themselves–he really had threatened and kidnapped someone.

And that someone was the woman rumored to be Evander’s mistress.

Charlotte had just reached the hospital that morning when she spotted her parents–Xavier and Rachel–waiting for her outside.

“Charlotte!”

Xavier strode over and, before she could react, pped her hard across the face.

She staggered, unable to dodge in time.

Rachel rushed to pull her furious husband back. “What are you doing?”

Charlotte didn’t say a word, justposed herself, smoothing her hair with a nk expression.

Xavier grew even angrier at her calmness, hand trembling as he pointed at her. “Look at her! Hiram’s in jail for kidnapping that woman because of her, and what is her attitude? Hiram could go to prison because of her!”

“If I’d known she’d bring such bad luck, I never should have agreed to let you-”

“Xavier!” Rachel snapped, cutting him off–something she’d never done before. Xavier fell silent for a few seconds, then turned away, his face twisted with regret.

b08:45 /b

But in the words he hadn’t finished, Charlotte caught something bthat /bbmade /bher freeze for a moment. Her lips parted. “Let you what?”

“Lottie, never mind,” Rachel said quickly. “Your father’s just upset–he doesn’t bmean /bwhat he says.”

But Charlotte couldn’t shake the feeling that they were hiding something from her—a secret she’d never been told.

Rachel stepped forward and took her hand. “Lottie, Hiram is iyour /ibrother, and he went too far this time. I never imagined he’d get into trouble for you.”

“We went to the police station today. They said kidnapping carries a minimum sentence of ten years, but since he didn’t hurt anyone, they might go easier–maybe three to five years.”

“He acts without thinking, never considering the consequences. If he really ends up in prison, that’s one thing, but if Evander refuses to back down, I worry about what’ll happen to Hiram…”

Rachel knew there was nothing anyone could do about the kidnapping itself. What worried her most was Evander’s involvement.

Hiram’s fate behind bars could be decided with a single word from Evander.

Charlotte lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. “Mom, I know. This all happened because of me. I won’t stand by and do nothing. I’ll find a way.”

“Lottie, I’m counting on you,” Rachel said, squeezing her hand solemnly.

As her parents walked away, Charlotte slowly unclenched her fists, as if steeling herself for what came next. She turned and walked into the hospital.

“How does she even have the nerve to show up for work?”

“Yeah, I heard her brother kidnapped Director Winthrop–just to clear his sister’s name after she got caught being the other woman!”

“I used to think she was so beautiful and talented. I even looked up to her…”

Charlotte walked through the nurses‘ station, ignoring their stares and whi ered gossip, heading straight for Tricia’s room.

bChapter /b89

bCha /b