로그인Even though Jennifer’s face twitched at the sound of Charlotte’s name, she forced herself to stay calm. Her lips stretched into a polished smile, carefully crafted and controlled, while her eyes softened just enough to maintain the illusion she wanted him to believe. Her voice came out smooth, sweet like honey. She refused to allow irritation spoil the moment she had carefully created.“Nathan babe,” she cooed gently, setting the flask neatly on the table as though presenting something precious, “I brought lunch. You should open it.”Nathan didn’t even raise his eyes to meet hers. He remained seated, shoulders slightly slumped, his gaze fixed somewhere far beyond the walls of the office. His voice came out flat, heavy, uninterested. “Not interested.”Helen, who had remained standing near the door, shifted awkwardly. She had seen enough. The tension was clear, and she knew better than to remain in a place where emotions were barely contained.Clearing her throat with a polite cough
Back to work at last, Nathan tried to bury himself in his duties, but misery clung to him like a shadow that refused to fade. It followed him into his office, settled into his chair before he even sat, and lingered in the air like something alive. Every file on his desk, every sound of footsteps in the corridor, every tick of the clock carried her name. Charlotte. It was as if the world had conspired to remind him of her at every turn, refusing him even a moment of escape.Her image wouldn’t leave him. It stayed with him, vivid and unrelenting, pressing into his thoughts no matter how hard he tried to push it away. He sat behind his massive office desk, staring blankly at the screen of his computer. The cursor blinked endlessly on the empty document, waiting for something, anything, but his fingers remained idle on the keyboard. His mind was too far gone to focus on something as ordinary as work.A knock echoed gently on the door, soft but persistent. Nathan didn’t notice. His m
Charlotte hurried down the quiet hallway, clutching a small box wrapped neatly with a bright red ribbon against her chest as though it was something precious she couldn’t afford to drop. Her heart beat faster with every step she took, the excitement clear on her face as a soft smile played on her lips. She'd spent the entire morning putting the gift together, carefully choosing every little detail, imagining the look on Nathan’s face when he saw it. That thought alone had filled her with warmth, pushing her forward with eager anticipation.But just as she reached the top of the staircase, her steps slowed to a halt.Voices drifted up from the living room below, familiar and unmistakable.Her smile faded almost instantly.She stood still, her fingers tightening slightly around the box as she listened. Something in the tone of the voices made her cautious, and instead of continuing down, she moved quietly, her footsteps light, almost soundless, until she stood just out of sight, hid
Charlotte’s eyelids fluttered gently, her chest rising and falling in slow, uncertain breaths. She turned her head slightly on the pillow, and the harsh white light pouring down from the ceiling lamp burned into her eyes. Her left hand felt unusually heavy, weighed down by something unfamiliar. When she tried to move it, a soft tug followed immediately, and her gaze drifted downward sluggishly. A drip tube was connected to her wrist.The room was quiet, eerily so, with only the faint hum of medical equipment.Then a voice came, soft but trembling with emotion.“Charlotte,” Megan whispered, her voice shaking slightly with a mixture of relief and disbelief as she leaned forward quickly, clutching her daughter’s free hand with both of hers as if afraid she might disappear again. “You’re awake.”Charlotte blinked slowly again, forcing her vision to clear as the blurry shapes around her gradually took form. She turned her head weakly toward the familiar face, her eyes settling on Megan
Nathan rolled over lazily on the damp sheet until his shoulder bumped against another body.For a brief moment he remained still, his mind trapped somewhere between sleep and reality as sunlight filtered through the curtains and stretched across the room in thin golden lines, brushing against his face like a quiet attempt to wake him gently.Then it hit him.His eyes snapped open.He sat upright so suddenly that his head spun, the room tilting slightly before settling again, his breath catching as awareness rushed back all at once.And there, beside him, was a body, warm, still, breathing steadily, close enough for him to feel the faint rise and fall against his arm.His heart slammed hard against his chest.“What the hell…” he muttered under his breath, his voice rough and dry, as he swung his legs off the bed and staggered to his feet.He nearly lost his balance before steadying himself with a hand on the wall.For a second, he didn’t look back.He didn’t want to.But something pull
It was already late when Nathan finally got home. His driver eased the car into the parking lot and jumped down quickly. Nathan’s head lolled to one side, his eyes half-closed, his breath heavy with alcohol. The moment the door opened, he stumbled out, barely able to keep his balance.“Sir, easy,” the driver muttered, holding his arm.Mr. Painter - the butler, was already waiting by the entrance. His face, calm but lined with worry, softened when he saw Nathan. He hurried down the steps, took Nathan’s other arm, and together they helped him inside.“Sir, you need to take it easy on yourself,” Mr. Painter said gently. “This alcohol will not heal your pain. It will only worsen your sorrows.”Nathan didn’t answer. His body sagged against the butler’s hold until they lowered him onto the couch in the wide, extravagant living room. He dragged in a deep breath, closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again. Something caught his attention.There, on the other couch, lay a handbag. A wo
Instantly, Celine’s earlier fierce expression vanished as if it had never existed. Her face softened, lips curving into a sweet, practiced smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.“Nathan, you’re home,” she said slowly, a light giggle following her words as she stepped toward him.Nathan didn’t resp
As Celine descended the stairs into the living room, the sharp clicking of her heels echoed faintly against the polished marble floor. Two housemaids standing by the corridor straightened immediately, their backs snapping to attention as they bowed low in practiced unison."Good morning, Mrs. Mill
Charlotte practically floated out of the tall glass building, her laughter light and unrestrained as the doors slid shut behind her. The Sydney sun felt warmer than usual, or maybe it was just her mood. She swung her handbag playfully at her side, her simple navy suit hugging her frame neatly, co
Her phone buzzed inside her bag while the car was still moving, the vibration faint but persistent against the leather seat beside her. Charlotte frowned slightly. For a brief moment, she wondered who could possibly be texting her now. Very few people knew she was leaving today. Fewer still cared







