“Hello, Mrs. Charlotte Rodriguez!” Lauren waves as she steps away from a group of distinguished guests. Charlotte feels uneasy amidst the crowd, aware that her status as the daughter-in-law of the illustrious Rodriguez family makes her a focal point of interest. Lauren’s familiar face brings her comfort. He treats her with the ease and familiarity she appreciates. “I didn’t expect to see you here. You usually avoid such gatherings,” Charlotte remarks, glancing at Edward, who is engaged in conversation with other businessmen. “I couldn’t decline the invitation, especially given that it’s from your family. By the way, you look stunning in this dress,” Lauren compliments, his eyes lingering appreciatively as he takes in her appearance. Charlotte blushes, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “My husband chose it for me. He has an excellent sense of fashion.” “No wonder! Both of you are dressed in matching outfits,” Lauren notes, his gaze shifting to Edward, who is wearing a cu
Pinching her own palm, Sandra bites her bottom lip, trying to suppress the rising tide of guilt. Her gaze drifts towards Suzy, who is happily devouring her birthday cake. The sight of her innocent joy tugs at Sandra's heartstrings. She knew about Suzy the first time she met her with Charlotte. The resemblance, the expressions—everything had made it painfully clear that her sister Jennifer had lied about Suzy's death. Yet, Sandra had no intention of confessing or accepting Suzy into her life. She had convinced herself that Jennifer and Andrew’s relationship was exclusive, and she would only be an unwelcome third party. But now, with everything coming to light, Sandra feels overwhelming guilt. She had deliberately abandoned her own daughter, a choice that now weighs heavily on her conscience. The realization that she had been running from her responsibilities makes her question what could be worse than this self-inflicted torment. “Auntie Sandra! Are you sad?” Suzy’s voice, filled with
Edward turns towards Charlotte, who is scrolling through her phone with a look of admiration on her face. His strong, warm hand slides down her waist and pulls her closer until their bodies collide. He buries his nose in the scent of her neck and speaks in a low, intimate tone. “What are you watching?” Charlotte’s fingers quickly press the cancel button on her phone as she turns to face him, a smile on her lips and a slight shake of her head. “Nothing. Didn’t you fall asleep?” She meets his gaze, but Edward’s eyebrows raise as he notices her attempt to hide the phone. The video she was watching featured soft, soothing music, and he wonders why she felt the need to hide it. “I can’t sleep with someone as beautiful as you next to me,” he says softly, pressing a gentle kiss to the tip of her nose. Charlotte’s smile widens, and she casts a shy glance at him. “I sometimes feel jealous that your ex-girlfriend met you first. It’s heartbreaking,” she admits, her fingers playing with the
“So, do you love her?” When Mr. Rodriguez asks, Edward’s face glows with an unintentional radiance. He gazes at the morning sun, which is just beginning to break over the horizon, and nods. Mr. Rodriguez, Edward’s father, smiles at the change in his son’s heart. Sitting on a bench in the garden, he picks a camellia and speaks with a gentle tone. “When love becomes the priority in a relationship, you will find both happiness and peace. Be devoted and loyal. Don’t encroach on her freedom. Give her personal space and create a world where she can be herself. Be grateful and happy to have her by your side. She is your wife now, and she is your priority.” Edward is taken aback. He has never seen his father speak so openly about matters of the heart. His father, who had always been dismissive of Edward’s previous relationships, now offers such supportive advice. It makes Edward happy, knowing that Charlotte, a truly remarkable person, has won his father's approval. “Now go to your room.
“So, you’re leaving without any more therapy sessions?” Shayne asks over the phone after Edward informs her that he’s canceling all upcoming appointments. “We still have a whole month. I want to spend the last month of our one-year married life fully. I’ll call you later,” Edward replies firmly. “Wait, Eddie. I might have a suggestion. There’s a professor of mine in France who could help. Since you’re going there, you can continue your therapy with him. Just remember to give my sister a memorable anniversary gift,” Shayne says earnestly. “That sounds like a great idea. Send me his contact details and where I can find him. I’ll reach out to him directly. Bye,” Edward responds, ending the call. As he gazes at the phone screen, a momentary look of disappointment crosses his face, but it quickly shifts to joy when he notices a new message notification. “Let’s meet at our usual place. I have something to discuss.” After responding, Edward continues his conversation, though the details
“Ms. Charlotte! Here is your coffee,” the room service attendant announces as Charlotte receives the coffee from him. Holding the two cups, Charlotte walks towards the door of their suite. Just then, Edward, having recently emerged from the bathroom, approaches her and softly calls her name. “Charlotte! Why are you standing there?” “Oh! It’s our coffee. Are you done?” Charlotte asks, her eyes softening as she notices Edward’s damp hair and the droplets still clinging to his skin. He hums in response, hugging her legs tightly. “You’ll catch a cold if you don’t dry your hair. Let’s get you warmed up,” she says gently, turning his wheelchair around and guiding him towards the dressing table. “Here’s your coffee. Drink it. It’ll help you warm up.” Edward takes a sip of the coffee, savoring the warmth. Despite Charlotte’s concern, he doesn’t actually feel cold; the room temperature is perfectly fine. “You know, I ran into Rachel earlier,” Charlotte mentions as she begins drying Edward
_Ding Dong_ Her eyebrows knit together when the doorbell rings early in the morning. She has just finished her bath and is preparing to order breakfast to be served at exactly 8 a.m. since they have a date planned for today. Placing the towel on the couch, she moves the curtains from the window to let the morning sun rays enter. It helps Edward wake up, as he hates alarms. When the doorbell rings again, she sighs and walks toward the door, opening it immediately without checking. She doesn’t want to disturb Edward's sleep. “Yes. How can I help you?” She looks at the person hesitatingly standing before her. “Sister!” Rachel takes two steps back, playing with her fingers. The bruises on her face and the corner of her lips are clear signs of domestic violence. Charlotte’s eyes scan Rachel’s body carefully. Her eyebrows rise upon seeing Rachel’s condition, which is a stark contrast to the pampered life she was used to. The dark bruises and wounds make Rachel look pathetic and miserabl
“How are you feeling?" Edward asks, brushing his hand gently over her belly. Charlotte has been feeling down since the encounter with Asher, and Edward has been patiently waiting for her to open up. He knows she'll eventually share her feelings when she's ready. However, after seeing her condition worsen following dinner, he decides it's time to take action. “Hmm. I'm fine…” she replies, snuggling closer to him. Edward is her comfort, the person who helps her forget everything. Wrapping her arm around his chest, she rests her head on him, seeking solace. Finally, she begins to speak. “It’s not a good memory to recall. And unfortunately, he was someone who made my life hell. Asher was known as a playboy. Most of the girls were victims of his animalistic behavior. So was I. I wanted to finish my studies and leave the university as soon as possible to get a job. I didn’t have much time to hang out or join clubs with other classmates.” As she speaks, her mind replays the painful night t