004

CHARLOTTE

The Hamilton’s mansion had not changed one bit. It still looked the same as it did three years ago.

I felt a wave of sadness hit me when I stepped through the entrance.

This was where it all began and ended. And now I was back.

“And what?” A voice sneered, getting my attention, and I rushed into the mansion.

Shock flashed through my face when I saw my son, Charles, being manhandled by a maid.

“What are you going to do? Nothing! You cannot do anything since your useless mother is not here! And she will

never be. She’s in prison forever, and your daddy doesn’t even care about you.” She bit at the young boy.

“Stop!” I clenched my fist tight and yelled, “Stop it!” I marched towards the maid, anger coursing through me.

When I got to her, I didn't let the shock of seeing my son register as I roughly pushed her.

She gasped, stumbling. When she looked up to see who’d pushed her, the expression on her face changed from disdain to surprise.

She was surprised to see me. Well, good for her.

Immediately, I turned to my son and quickly pulled him for a hug. Gosh, I missed him so much.

“Mommy?” He asked. “Mommy, is that you.”

My heart broke at his question. Even though Liam never brought him to visit me in prison, I never knew he’d remember or recognize me. But he did… oh my poor boy.

“Yes, it is your mommy.” Tears welled up in my eyes as I pulled him up. “I missed you.” I moaned into his head, sniffing in. “I missed you so so much.”

His babyish scent wafted through my nostrils, and I inhaled deeply. I held unto him like my life depended on it. “Mommy is here now. She won’t ever let you get hurt again. No one would hurt you again. I promise.”

The maid behind me suddenly scoffed, and I looked at her with furrowed eyebrows. What kind of remark was that?

“Shouldn’t you be working?” I snickered.

I recognized the maid as one of Sophia’s favorites, so I did not blame her for being hostile. Her mistress was like that, too, so it was only certain she’d look down on me.

The maid continued with a snort. “And look who’s talking. The woman who brought a bastard home? You must be joking.”

“You will not call my son a bastard!” I yelled at her. “Do you hear me?”

“And what if I do?” Displeasure ran across her face, and she took a step forward.

“What if—“ She started again when suddenly a loud voice stopped her. “Will you keep quiet?!”

I slowly turned around.

Standing by the entrance was Nathan, Liam’s half-brother, the heir to the Hamilton family.

His eyes blazed with fury as he stared at the maid, his tall frame emanating an effortless authority that made everyone in the room freeze.

I found myself unable to look away from him— I could see why Liam had always spoken of him with such complicated emotions - even in his anger, Nathan Hamilton carried himself with the unmistakable air of someone born to power.

But ever since his father remarried Liam’s mother, he has rarely returned to the Hamilton estate, so I’ve barely seen him.

Why is he here?

“How dare you insult the little boy. Charles is still part of this family, and this should be the last time I see you bullying him. If you do it again, kiss goodbye to your job.”

The maid’s face darkened with fear at his words, and I watched her entire body shake.

“I’m s…s…sorry, sir Nathan. It won’t happen again.” She stammered shamelessly and, without waiting for any response, hurried away.

Nathan turned his gaze towards me, and I gulped down my unease.

“T…thank you,” I said slowly, looking at him, but he said nothing. Instead, he ignored me and went upstairs, leaving me standing there in awkward silence.

I swallowed heavily. What did I expect? That he would all smile with me or what?

“Pftt…” I hissed and looked down at my son.

“Where is your room, baby?” I asked.

He pointed to a corridor which I knew led to the servants room, and my heart squeezed a little. Liam meant it when he said my son was going through hell. He promised me—if I took Sophia’s place in prison, Charles would get to live a happy life. But he was the real liar.

I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing back the tears.I couldn’t cry now. Not when I was with my little boy.

“Let’s go,” I mumbled, walking to his room together.

When we arrived, I immediately closed the door and again pulled him to my chest. The tears I’d been holding back fell down my cheeks this time.

“I missed your goodnight kisses and morning embraces, Mommy.”

“I know.”

“I missed your lullabies too, the ones you always sang to me in bed.”

“Oh, baby…”

“I also missed you taking me to school. Every day at school, I see mothers bringing their children to school, and I always wish you would come one day, too. Will you take me to school now like them? Or are you going to leave again?”

“Oh baby, I’m never leaving you again,” I muttered against his chest, sniffing back the tears. “I haven’t been here when you needed me the most, but I am now. And I will make it up to you, I promise.”

“Okay, mommy. I believe you.” He chuckled against my chest, and I laughed, too. “And, mommy…”

“Yes?”

“Do you know that only Uncle Nathan has been good to me? He doesn’t beat or shout at me like the rest do. Even Daddy yells at me, but Uncle Nathan doesn’t.”

My chest squeezed painfully.

“I don't want to live here anymore, mommy.” He begged. “Please, I want to be with you. I want to live with you. Will you allow me?”

“Of course. Now that I am back, you will stay with me. For as long as you want.”

“Yayyyy…” He squealed, and my heart swelled with joy. “Maybe Uncle Nathan can help us leave this place. You should ask him.”

My brows furrowed when I heard Charles speak. “Huh? I don’t think he can. He could get punished or yelled at. It’s enough that he already stands up for you, but that’s it.”

“No, Mommy! No one can punish Uncle Nathan.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Daddy and Grandma Melina are afraid of him. That's why they always bully me whenever he is not at home.”

At the mention of ‘Daddy,’ my shoulders rose defensively. Liam. He was the reason I needed to be strong because I would not allow him to touch me or my son again. Never.

Soon after, Charles fell asleep, refusing to let my pinky finger go. I wiggled my hand out of his grip successfully, and he groaned.

Tiptoeing gently out of the room, I went to the mansion’s living room to use Hamilton’s residence landline.

I dialed Noah’s number, and he picked it up almost immediately.

“Charlotte. I’ve been worried about you.” Those were his first words.

“I’m fine.” I smiled sadly. “I’m at Liam’s home, but…”

“That jerk.”

“Don’t worry about me, Noah. I’m not staying here, rest assured. I have to sort some things, then I’ll leave. I’ll take Charles with me too. Not to worry. When I’m settled, I’ll visit. Is that fine with you?”

There was a brief silence, and then I heard him say. “Okay. Take care, Charlotte, and I mean it.”

“I will. Greet mother for me.” I said before hanging up.

Just as I turned to return to my room, a scream tore through the air, startling me. My eyes widened as maids emerged out of nowhere, each one running around the living room.

They were searching for something.

What was going on?

I managed to catch one of them. “What is going on?”

The maid looked back at me fearfully. “It’s Lady Melina. Her diamond necklace is missing.”