Chapter 7

William’s expression stayed composed. “If you’ve calmed down, we can talk,” he said evenly.

Charlotte felt herself falling apart. She was too exhausted to speak, her eyes closed, her body limp, as if every ounce of strength had left her.

William hesitated before getting up and walking into the bathroom to clean up. They had argued before, but she had never thrown things. She didn’t usually need him to comfort her either. Once she cooled off, she always came back to him on her own. That was who she was, someone who loved him too much for her own good.

He had missed their third wedding anniversary, and now she was so angry she didn’t even want the gift he bought to make up for it.

After showering, William changed into his pajamas, went downstairs, and brought back a bowl of hot soup.

He set it on the nightstand and said quietly, “Come on, have something to eat.”

Charlotte turned away from him, her back facing the room.

William sat on the edge of the bed and firmly pulled her up so she was leaning against his chest. “Be good and drink this,” he said. “If you do, I’ll forget about your little act, pretending to faint and tattling to my mom.”

Charlotte’s voice was hoarse, her eyes empty. “William, if I died, would you think I was faking that too?”

Before the York family went bankrupt, she had indeed been spoiled and willful. But after marrying William, she was no longer that pampered heiress.

William turned her to face him. “It seems you still haven’t calmed down.”

Charlotte met his eyes. “I can’t calm down when I see you.”

William released her and stood up. “In that case, I’ll stay elsewhere. When you’ve calmed down, we can talk.”

He disappeared into the walk-in closet, and a few minutes later came out fully dressed.

He paused at the foot of the bed, watching her motionless form for a moment. When she didn’t respond, he turned and left without a word, leaving her alone with all the pain she couldn’t let out.

*

The next morning, Michelle came by. Charlotte was still in bed.

Michelle felt sorry for Charlotte but didn’t dare say too much. She helped her out of bed, sat with her through breakfast, and then took her out for a walk.

William had always been strict with her. If she said the wrong thing, he really would cut off her allowance.

As they walked, Charlotte’s mood lightened just a little.

Michelle pulled Charlotte toward their family mall. “Charlotte, did you tell William about that woman?” she asked.

Charlotte did not want to talk about it. “Michelle, I’m a mess right now. I just need some time to calm down and think.”

Michelle was an open book. If she found out Charlotte planned to divorce William, she would tell everyone in the Harris family within minutes. If the Harrises found out, the news would reach Charlotte’s parents too. Julia was still in the hospital. This was not the time for a scene.

Michelle quickly changed the subject. “It’s fine, don’t worry. Let’s go inside and shop. Pick whatever you want and William will pay.”

Charlotte nodded without much feeling. She had lost interest in everything and had no desire to buy anything.

At the mall entrance, a security guard stopped them. “I’m sorry, ladies, the mall is reserved for a private event.”

Michelle’s eyes went wide. “In all of Imperial City, who could possibly afford to reserve our family’s luxury mall?”

Charlotte tugged Michelle’s arm. “Never mind. Let’s go somewhere else. I just want some fresh air.”

Michelle refused to leave. “I want to know who rented out the place,” she said.

The security guard hesitated, clearly aware from their elegant clothes that both Michelle and Charlotte were of high status. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” he said carefully. “We’re not allowed to disclose that information.”

Michelle’s expression turned sharp. “This mall belongs to the Harris family. I am Michelle Harris. If you keep blocking us, consider yourselves fired.”

The guards fell silent, intimidated. Michelle took advantage of the moment and pulled Charlotte through the doors.

As they rode the escalator up, Michelle said cheerfully, “Let’s go to the third floor. The new shoes just came in.”

When they stepped off the elevator, Charlotte stopped cold.

William was right in front of them.

At that moment, he was crouched in front of a woman, helping her try on a pair of shoes.

The woman kept her head lowered, her long hair falling over half her face so that her features were hidden. William carefully fastened the strap around her ankle, his movements slow and gentle.

Charlotte pressed a hand to her chest. The color drained from her face until she was completely pale. There was only one woman he would ever kneel down for, and that was Annie Xander.

So when he said he would be “staying elsewhere” for a few days, this was what he meant. It was to make it easier for him to be with her.

In three years of marriage, Charlotte had always been the one trying to please him. He had never once helped her put on shoes, not even handed her a pair of slippers.

The sight hit her so hard that she forgot how to react. She just stood there, frozen in place.

“Charlotte,” Michelle said, catching her just as she nearly collapsed. Her teeth clenched in anger, her jaw tight with fury.

Charlotte gripped Michelle’s arm and turned away. She couldn’t make a scene. Her parents were still in the hospital, and she still had to protect William’s reputation.

But Michelle had reached her breaking point. They had caught him red-handed. This wasn’t gossip anymore. He couldn’t punish her for speaking the truth now.

She pulled free from Charlotte’s grasp, swung her purse, and threw it straight at Annie. “You homewrecker!” she shouted before charging forward.

Charlotte rushed to stop her.

William reacted immediately. Before Michelle could reach Annie, he pulled Annie into a fitting room and shut the door.

Then he turned toward Charlotte, his expression cold and unreadable. “Were you following me?” he asked.

Charlotte’s lips parted slightly, her voice trembling. “William, it’s the middle of your workday.”

Yet here he was, having the entire mall cleared out to shop with his first love, even kneeling to help her try on shoes.

William gave no explanation. “Take Michelle home,” he said evenly.

He stood in front of the fitting room door, blocking her way.

Michelle refused to back down. “Move, William! Let that woman come out and face us!”

William pushed her aside. “That’s enough. Be quiet,” he ordered, his tone sharp. “Take Charlotte home.”

Michelle’s voice cracked. “She loves you so much, William. How can you treat her like this?”

The muscle in William’s jaw twitched, but he stayed silent. He couldn’t reason with Michelle, so he turned to Charlotte instead.

“Charlotte, take Michelle and go home,” he said. “We’ll talk later.”

Charlotte’s vision blurred with tears, but she refused to look away. “Since we’ve already run into each other,” she said quietly, “why not let me meet her?”

“There’s no need,” he replied flatly.

Charlotte’s voice trembled, but she stood her ground. “And what if I insist on seeing her?”

William’s tone was calm but cold. “You can walk out on your own, or I’ll have security escort you out.”

Their eyes met, and Charlotte’s tears finally spilled over. “Fine. I’d like to see just how far you’ll go for the woman you love.”

William’s voice grew darker, edged with irritation. “Charlotte, don’t make me regret marrying you.”

She stared at him blankly, her lower lip trembling until she tasted blood. Regret? she thought bitterly. He probably regretted it a long time ago.

The next moment, she turned away and walked off, her steps unsteady and her face pale with humiliation.

William watched her leave, and something heavy twisted in his chest.

Michelle’s eyes filled with angry tears. “If she ever leaves you, I’ll celebrate and buy drinks for everyone in town.” she snapped before storming after Charlotte.

William stood silently by the fitting room door for a full minute before finally opening it.

Annie stepped out, startled by the dark look on his face. “William,” she said softly, “why didn’t you let me talk to your wife? The more you hide me, the worse she’ll misunderstand.”

William rubbed his temples, his expression tired. “She has a temper, and with Michelle’s impulsiveness, I didn’t want you to get hurt.”