The nanny gave Charlotte a knowing smile as she scooped the baby into her arms. "I''ll take the little one outside for some sun. You think about where you two might want to go for the holidays."

The moment the nanny disappeared through the door, Charlotte darted upstairs. She grabbed her phone and started messaging her old circle of socialite friends, eager for vacation ideas.

The replies came in fast.

Marry: Well, well, look who decided to show up. What kind of wind blew Mrs. Chancer into the group today?

Fion: Charlotte, are you seriously nning a trip with Mr. Chancer? Shouldn''t he be the one arranging that?

Charlotte''s smile froze. Her expression stiffened with quiet embarrassment.

Thankfully, someone with actual tact jumped in and sent over a list of travel guides and curated itineraries.

Charlotte quickly bookmarked them, replied with a polite "Thank you," and then messaged the helpful friend privately: I''ll bring you back thetest Chanel bag when I return!

With that, she switched her phone to "Do Not Disturb? and ignored the storm brewing in the group chat.fn507d This update is avable on find?novel/fn507d

Now armed with fresh ideas, she started narrowing down the list of destinations. But when it came time to choose just one, she found herself torn.

There was the charming old town—perfect for romantic photo ops. She imagined herself coyly asking James to take her pictures, hoping the moment might spark some intimacy between them.

Then there was the quiet hilltop chapel from one of the guides. Legend had it that couples who visited and lit a candle together would be blessed with a happy,sting marriage. It was cheesy, sure-but just the kind of hope she wanted to hold onto.

Then came the breathtaking mountain ranges, tranquilkes, misty forests... every ce seemed to whisper of something beautiful. Charlotte wanted to visit them all. with James. She pictured them hand-in-hand, leaving footprints everywhere, like two people at the start of something sweet and new.  s

The more she imagined it, the more awake she became.

Sleep forgotten, she slipped into a silky nightgown and padded downstairs. She made herself a strong cup of coffee and curled up on the living room couch,

velmet

determined to stay alert. Every time her eyelids dropped she pped her cheeks fightly and took another sip, eyes fixed on the front door.  s

It was well past midnight when James finally stumbled in, reeking of alcohol.

Charlotte rushed over immediately. The smell of smoke and liquor hit her, and she wrinkled her nose. "You''ve been drinking again. If you damage your health, I''ll be heartbroken," she murmured.

She reached for his arm to steady him, but James sidestepped her without a word and kept walking.

Her hand hung in the air for a second before slowly falling back to her side. She bit her lip, eyes glinting with hurt-but she quickly pulled herself together and followed him upstairs.

While James showered, Charlotte folded his clothes neatly and set them on the cab shelf. The maid would collect them in the morning.

When he finally stepped out of the bathroom, toweling his hair, he found her still perched at the edge of the bed, wide awake and waiting.

Trying to hide his annoyance, he asked tly, "Why are you still up?"

The truth was, he always came home thiste to avoid seeing her.

Charlotte''s face brightened. She eagerly handed him a neatly printed packet. "James, Christmas is almost here. You''ve been working nonstop, and thought this might be a good time for a break just the two of us: I found a few destination ideas. Here-take a look. Or I can walk you through them really quickly..."

s