Chapter 5

Charlotte’s POV

I sat quietly on the couch, my hands clasped together in my lap, while Alexander and his mother argued across the living room.

The tension between them felt unbearable.

“I should never have told you anything,” Alexander said sharply.

His voice carried an edge I rarely heard when he spoke to his mother.

Mrs. Voss straightened where she stood beside the fireplace. “So now you believe I would spread your wife’s private medical information to the entire world?”

“I did not say that.”

“You implied it.”

Alexander exhaled slowly and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Mother, this information came from somewhere. Only a few people knew about Charlotte’s hospital visits.”

“And you assumed I was one of them.”

Her tone was cold.

I kept my gaze lowered, wishing the floor would swallow me.

“I was concerned,” Alexander replied. “That is all.”

Mrs. Voss laughed quietly, though there was no amusement in the sound. “Concerned enough to accuse your own mother of humiliating your wife in public?”

“You dislike Charlotte,” Alexander said plainly.

“That does not mean I would destroy my family’s reputation.” Her eyes flicked briefly toward me. “This entire situation exists because your wife poisoned your mind against me.”

My chest tightened.

Alexander’s jaw clenched. “Do not involve Charlotte in this.”

“She already involved herself,” Mrs. Voss said sharply.

The argument continued, their voices rising and falling in the living room, but I could not bear to listen any longer.

Slowly, I stood from the couch. Neither of them noticed as I slipped quietly out of the room.

The hallway felt much calmer than the suffocating tension behind me.

Just as I reached the kitchen, I heard laughter coming from the back garden.

I stepped outside and saw the twins playing near the small fountain.

They were the children of Mrs. Voss’s neighbors, five-year-old identical girls who visited the house often.

They spotted me immediately. “Auntie Charlotte!” one of them called happily.

I forced a small smile and walked toward them. “What are you two doing out here?”

“Grandma Voss said we could play,” the other replied proudly.

Of course she did.

I crouched beside them and helped one of the girls fix the ribbon in her hair.

For a few peaceful seconds, I almost forgot everything that had happened today.

Then one of the girls looked up at me curiously. “Why are you mean to Uncle Alex?”

My hands froze. “I’m not mean to him,” I said gently.

The other twin frowned. “Grandma said you make him sad.”

My stomach sank immediately. Mrs. Voss must have said something in front of them earlier.

Something they had repeated without understanding the meaning.

I forced another smile. “Well,” I said softly, “sometimes grown-ups just have difficult days.”

They seemed satisfied with that answer and quickly returned to their game.

But the damage had already been done. The guilt pressed heavily on my chest.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I checked the screen and it’s a message from my mother. 

‘We’re at your house.’ My heart softened instantly.

Without thinking, I hurried back inside. Alexander and his mother were still in the living room, though the argument seemed to have quieted.

“Alexander,” I said softly and both of them turned toward me.

“My parents are at the house,” I continued. “I would like to go home.”

Alexander nodded immediately. “Of course.”

I hesitated and looked at Mrs. Voss. “I’m sorry for accusing you earlier,” I said sincerely.

Her expression remained unreadable. She did not respond.

Alexander gently guided me toward the door.

Outside, our driver opened the car door for us. The moment the car started moving, Alexander leaned back in his seat with a frustrated sigh.

“I cannot believe this is happening,” he muttered.

I glanced at him. “You should not worry about it so much.”

“How can I not?” he said. “They are humiliating you publicly.”

I reached for his hand. “I will survive.”

His expression softened slightly. “You should not have to.”

I decided to shift the conversation before his anger returned. “What happened at the construction board meeting?” I asked.

He frowned. “Not much progress.”

“Tell me.”

So he did.

As he explained the anonymous environmental complaint and the board’s refusal to show him the reports, my suspicion grew stronger with every sentence.

“That is definitely Victor Knight,” I said firmly.

Alexander looked at me. “You cannot be certain.”

“It has his fingerprints all over it.” Victor Knight had been Alexander’s biggest rival in the tech industry for years. The man thrived on sabotage.

“He has always hated your success,” I continued. “And the Seattle tower would overshadow every project he has ever built.”

Alexander remained thoughtful. “My assistant is already investigating the complaint.”

“And when he finds Victor’s name attached to it?” I asked, staring intently into his face.

Alexander’s lips curved slightly. “Then we expose him.”

By the time we arrived at our house, I felt slightly calmer. The front door opened before we even reached it.

My mother rushed forward and pulled me into a tight hug. “Oh my poor girl,” she murmured.

My father followed behind her, carrying several grocery bags. “We thought you might need some support today,” he said warmly.

I felt tears pricking my eyes again. “You did not have to come.”

“Of course we did,” my mother replied.

Inside the house, they immediately began cooking, cleaning, and talking nonstop in an attempt to cheer me up.

The warmth of their presence filled the house with a comfort I had not felt all day.

At one point, my father placed a plate of food in front of me. “You must eat.”

“I’m not very hungry,” I admitted.

“Nonsense,” he said firmly.

Alexander joined us at the table.

When the conversation turned to the news spreading about my condition, I hesitated before speaking.

“Maybe they are right,” I said quietly. “Maybe I really am barren.”

Both of my parents immediately protested. “Do not say that,” my mother scolded.

“You are perfectly healthy,” my father added. “Children will come when the time is right.”

Alexander placed a reassuring hand over mine. “They will.”

My mother glanced between us. “It must be difficult for you to face the public right now.”

Alexander nodded. “I will arrange additional security for Charlotte.”

“That is good,” my father said approvingly.

“And anyone who makes insulting public statements about my wife will face legal consequences,” Alexander added and I squeezed his hand gratefully.

Then he mentioned the unknown man at the hospital.

“He said he saw two men entering the doctor’s office yesterday,” Alexander explained.

My father frowned. “You think the doctor was threatened?”

“It is possible,” Alexander replied. “I will investigate it further.”

The rest of the afternoon passed surprisingly peacefully. We ate together, laughed occasionally, and even shared a few old family memories.

For the first time since the news broke, I felt something close to normal again.

By early evening, everyone had stepped out for various errands.

Alexander had gone to speak with his legal team. My parents went to pick up some additional groceries which meant the house was finally quiet.

I glanced at the clock then I grabbed my coat.

An hour later, I was walking through the familiar corridors of the hospital where I had been receiving my checkups.

The receptionist recognized me immediately but said nothing as I walked past.

I knew exactly where the doctor’s office was and when I entered, he looked up in surprise. “Mrs. Voss?”

I closed the door behind me. “You were careless,” I said coldly.

He blinked. “What do you mean?”

“You left too many loose ends,” I continued. “Good thing my husband now believes you were threatened into leaking my medical records.”

The doctor looked stunned. “Really?”

I ignored the question. “You should have cleaned up every possible lead.”

His confusion deepened. “Why would you even want your reports aired in the first place?”

Before I could answer, there was a knock on the door and a nurse stepped inside.

“Doctor,” she said politely, “Mr. Victor Knight is here for his appointment.”