Chapter 4

CHARLOTTE FLAIR

I waited, expecting a cold 'fine, let's do that' I was sure would come. After all, his true love was back now, and I was ready to step aside for her. 

I didn't want this anymore. 

Then, he said dismissively, his voice cold and sharp. "You don't know what you're saying, Charlotte. Just go home and rest. It's been a long night for me, and I need to rest my head." 

He's always been like this— giving orders and expecting me to follow without arguing. 

I didn't argue, I didn't protest. I just nodded, gave him one final look,  and walked out of the room.  

Goodbye, Desmond Elliot. 

This was the last time you'd ever set eyes on me again. 

I'm done dealing with you, or anything to do with you.  

One day, when you found out the truth that I hadn't orchestrated that incident six years ago, I hope you wouldn't regret it

I clenched my fist as heavy tears streamed down my cheeks. 

DESMOND ELLIOT

Just as Charlotte walked out of the room, my phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw it was Liam calling. 

Liam was my cousin, my aunt's first child. But unlike her, he shared same similarity with my mom's kind and compassionate nature. People often mistook him for my mom's child because of their striking similarity.

I answered the call, my tone cold as I speak. "What?"

"You might regret your actions after I tell you this, but you need to brace yourself, brother," he said cautiously. 

I hissed, rolling my eyes as I rubbed my forehead tiredly. "What is it, Liam? I'm not in the mood for jokes right now."

"Actually, I found out something about what happened six years ago at the hotel."

The second those words left his mouth, my eyes narrowed toward Avery, seated on the bed, but she couldn't dare look up, her expression still laced with regret. 

I turned around and walked to the open window, a bit far from her. 

"Go on," I said.

"I found two surveillance footage, Desmond. The first shows someone carrying Charlotte into your room. She was actually unconscious at that time."

As soon as he let out those words, my breath caught briefly, and all the old grudges I had instantly disappeared.

Could she be innocent? Was she set up too?

I swallowed hard, my voice hoarse and low. "And the second?"

"The second video shows a waiter spiking your drink. He walked up to after that and gave it to you. His back was facing the camera, so we couldn't get his face...."  he paused, then continued. "Desmond, the waiter had nothing to do with Charlotte. Believe me, she wasn't responsible for what happened six years ago. She's also a victim of a planned work."

I closed my eyes, swallowing hard and struggling to contain my emotions. 

After a moment, I asked in a hoarse voice. "Are you sure about this? And who's behind it?"

"I know what I'm saying, Desmond. I have the evidence here with me. You know, after we talked the other day, I investigated and found an expert to analyze the destroyed footage. Also, if we dig deeper, I'm sure we will find the real culprit."

"I'm close to the hospital. I should be there in five minutes," he said.

"Alright," I said, and hung up. 

As I dropped the call, a heavy sigh escaped my lips, and my whole body felt like it was sinking under the weight of remorse.

I couldn't believe I had wronged her so badly. 

She was innocent, yet I had treated her like trash, blaming her constantly and causing her pain for something she didn't do. 

The thought alone made my chest tighten with regret.

 I turned around and looked at Avery, who was now watching me with an unreadable expression.

Without a word, I turned and walked out of the room, ignoring her calls after me. 

My mind was just fixated on one thing— making things right with Charlotte, and apologizing for my mistakes. I was overwhelmed with regret and guilt as I pondered on how I had treated her over the years.

The weight of my mistake crushing me hard, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had truly wronged her terribly.

The memories of our six years together flooded my mind, and I realized that I had taken her presence for granted. I had become so accustomed to having her around that the thought of losing her now was suddenly unbearable. 

Should I tell her the truth?

Then I would lose her. 

I had hurt her so deeply, and I wasn't sure if she could forgive me.

The fear of losing her completely was suddenly overwhelming, and I felt like I was standing at the edge of a cliff. 

I knew that if she left, I would be left with a gaping hole in my life. The thought of living without her was suffocating, and I realized that I didn't want to imagine a future without her by my side. 

As I walked out of the hospital building, the cool night air hit me, indicating it would pour down any moment from now on, but I barely noticed it. 

My gaze landed on Liam, his back resting against his car and his right leg placed on it, supporting his body. 

I walked closer to him, and just as I was about to get into the car, my assistant, James, appeared beside me. "Mr. Elliot-" he began, but I cut him off. 

"Take the car back home, James. I'm going with Liam," I ordered, my voice stern.

However, he didn't move or respond. He just stood there, looking hesitant. 

I felt a flicker of impatience and turned to him, my expression stern.  "What is it, James?" I asked, my tone firm. 

"Your wife didn't go home," he said finally. "She's gone to her parents place, and asked me to send all her belongings there."

I frowned, my expression darkening. "What?" I exclaimed, my voice rising in surprise and anger. "And you let her to leave?" I hissed. 

I couldn't believe she had meant it when she asked for a divorce earlier.

CHARLOTTE FLAIR

The air in the room was thick with tension as my dad shot up from his seat, his eyes blazing with anger. 

"Have you lost your mind? What do you mean, you're divorcing your husband?!" He thuntered, his voice echoing off the walls.

"You dared sit there and tell me you want to end that marriage after all of my effort?!" He spat, his words dripping with venom. 

I felt a pang of pain in my chest, knowing my parents, my dad especially wouldn't easily give in his support. 

But I'm done and done for good. Even if he would disown me like he always threatening, I don't care. I'm done with anything that has to do with Desmond.

Mom quickly intervened, placing a soothing hand on his arm. "Calm down, Kyle, I'm sure she was just confused for a moment," she said, her voice soothing but laced with worry.  

The tension was evident, and for a moment, I thought my dad might actually hit me. 

Then, mom turned to me, her expression firm but worried, which I know the worry wasn't directed at me but her husband.  

"Charlotte, leave now and go back to your husband's house. Don't make your Dad upset. You know how easily his condition could be triggered."

"Mom!" I exclaimed, my voice cracking with desperation and hurt. 

My eyes widened in disbelief as I stared at my parents, feeling like I had been punched in the gut. 

How could they be so blind? So selfish?

Despite everything I had told them— the constant emotional abuse, the isolation, the cheating. Yet they still choose to prioritize their own interests over my well-being. 

The benefits they reaped from my marriage, the social status, the connections.... It was all that mattered to them. 

I looked at them, feeling trapped and unheard, my heart heavy with the weight of the decision I'm about to make. 

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I struggled to maintain my composure, my voice barely audible. "I'm not going back, mom. I can't."

"Then you cease to be my daughter as from now on. Get out of my house. I have no place for unreasonable daughter like you here!"