Chapter 4

She was completely different from Sarah's willful boldness.

Charlotte's humble background had made her somewhat timid, always choosing her words with care.

During his most frustrating times, when Sarah's persistence had worn him thin, Charlotte's gentle nature had easily touched his heart.

Unlike his previous relationships where women actively pursued him, he had met Charlotte by rescuing her from a difficult situation.

Men's hero complex being what it is, his feelings for Charlotte were entirely different from his past casual relationships.

"I heard Sarah's back..." Charlotte's eyes reddened before she could finish. "I'm worried." She bit her lip, lowering her head. "Henry, will we be able to have our engagement ceremony today?"

"Don't overthink it." Henry gripped her shoulders gently, trying to comfort her. "I'll handle it now."

But Charlotte caught his sleeve. "Henry, I'm scared." Her tears began falling rapidly. "I'm afraid you'll regret breaking off your engagement with her..." Her small, fragile figure stood there, looking as if she might shatter at any moment.

"Don't worry Charlotte, Henry never had feelings for Sarah," Emily interjected, a smug smile flickering in her eyes. "She's just a spoiled rich girl who throws tantrums. Henry's been sick of her for ages. She won't succeed."

Emily had never hidden her contempt. Ever since Sarah's engagement to Henry, Emily's once-loving parents had placed Sarah on a pedestal.

Though they always claimed she was their future sister-in-law, insisting the Crawfords were just being polite for appearance's sake, Emily couldn't stand her.

All these years, her greatest pleasure had been watching Sarah make a fool of herself. Now that Sarah had been publicly jilted and left Silverbrook Haven alone in shame, Emily couldn't be more delighted.

She'd support anyone marrying Henry except Sarah.

Henry suddenly turned to Emily. "Weren't you always close with her?"

"How could I be close to her? I've been hoping you'd break off the engagement." At this point, Emily didn't bother hiding her true feelings anymore.

Her past friendliness had been just to gain trust, to manipulate Sarah into actions that would annoy others. Now that she didn't need to pretend anymore, what a relief.

Emily, not noticing Henry's darkening expression, continued, "Henry, how about this - you stay with Charlotte, I'll go deal with her. Don't worry, I'll make sure she loses face completely."

"What do you plan to do?"

"Have security throw her out! Her parents must be rolling in their graves..."

Before she could finish, a sharp slap echoed through the hall. Everyone froze, especially Charlotte, who frowned as she watched Henry's eyes grow increasingly dark.

"Henry, why did you hit me!" Emily held her face, crying hysterically.

"She was once my fiancée in name." Henry's expression was terrifying. "You should respect her. She carried the title of my fiancée for all these years. When you humiliate her like this, where does that leave the Crawfords' dignity?"

"Why are you defending her?" Emily sobbed. "Didn't you hate her the most? If you hadn't led us in disliking her, how would we have acted this way?"

He fell silent for a long time. Did he really despise her as they said?