Charlotte followed Evander back to Tranquility Manor. Once he’d made up his bmind/b, she knew arguing would be pointless.

He punched in the security code and let them inside. Evander entered first; Charlotte trailed after him.

As the foyer lights flickered on, he calmly shrugged off his coat and unfastened his watch. Every movement–measured, unhurried–seemed to radiate a quiet

aggression in the cramped silence, making her instinctively anxious.

“I’ll sleep in the guest room.”

She made her position clear, brushing past him toward the hallway.

Evander watched her go, saying nothing.

Inside the guest room, Charlotte’s first instinct was to lock the door behind her.

She was scared.

Afraid of losing control–afraid, too, of letting herself waver.

The next morning, Charlotte headed straight to the hospital. Two new bodyguards, clearly on rotation, now stood outside the ICU doors.

Inside, Xavier had arrived early, bringing breakfast for Charlotte’s mother, Rachel.

Rachel nced at her daughter, her exhaustion obvious–whether from a sleepless night or from worry, Charlotte couldn’t tell. “Lottie, the men outside… Those are Evander’s people, aren’t they?”

Before Charlotte could answer, Xavier cut in, “Who else would they be?”

Xavier had once held Evander in high regard, impressed by his powerful family.

The Howards–a family so influential, so entrenched among society’s elite, that even after a century the Sterling family couldn’t hope to reach their heights. To be connected with the Howards was an opportunity not just to elevate the Sterlings into high society, but to set his own son up for a life free from struggle.

But now, after what had happened to his son because of the woman Evander kept on the side, Xavier’s feelings toward Evander had grownplicated. He was torn–caught between loyalty to his son and awe for the Howards‘ power.

b08:47 /b

After Dr. Sinir and his assistant finished their brounds/b, bCharlotte /bstepped bout /bwith him into the corridor.

“My brother… Is his condition really that dire?”

Dr. Sinir sighed and handed her the chart. “See for yourself.”

Charlotte flipped through the file. The results were grim:plete loss of external awareness, no consciousness. The only functions left were those controlled by bthe /bthmus and brainstem–he could breathe, his heart was beating, his metabolism still active, with a few lingering reflexes.

She closed the file slowly. “A vegetative state?”

Dr. Sinir nodded. “All the trauma is isted to his brain. In all my years as a surgeon, I’ve never seen brain damage this severe from a beating. Usually, this kind of injuryes from a car ident or a serious fall.”

He hesitated, then added, “Dr. Sterling, forgive me for saying this, but this wasn’t just a simple case of assault. Whoever did this meant to kill.”

Charlotte’s expression darkened.

“One more thing,” Dr. Sinir continued. “He’ll need to stay in the hospital. Some people in a vegetative state recover in a month, others take years–if they ever wake at all. The cost will be significant. You’ll get a staff discount, but long–term…”

“I know.” Charlotte lowered her eyes. “I’ll find a way to pay for it.”

After Dr. Sinir left, Charlotte went back to the room, careful not to reveal the

truth of Hiram’s condition to her family.

As for the money…

Having made up her mind, Charlotte left the hospital and met with a divorce attorney at a quiet restaurant.

She came prepared, having already gathered all the necessary documents. But this time, she’d added a new use to the settlement: she would ept just one million dors.

Thewyer stared at the agreement, shocked. “Mrs. Howard, are you sure you don’t want to ask for more?”

After all, her husband was Evander. In her situation, she could easily im far more than a million.

Charlotte gave a weary smile. “No. One million, and one house. That’s all I need.”

212

Chapter

bChapter /bb9/b