Chapter 003

CHARLOTTE

“Where are you coming from?” His cold voice, reserved for just me, followed me into the house. “Or should I ask who you’ve been whoring yourself to all day?”

I ignored his jab, making my way to the stairs. There was no fight left in me. Not even for him. All I wanted was a hot bath and my bed.

His fingers gripped my arm, pulling me to a stop. “Don’t fucking walk out on me when I’m talking to you. Ever again!” he hissed, his breathing fanning the back of my ears.

Rage burned through my veins, chasing my fatigue.

“What do you want from me, Christian?” I screamed, jerking my hand from his grip. “Should I stay in the house crying and wailing till you return? Is that what you want? Miserable, lonely Charlotte, begging for your attention, will that help you fix your day?”

His eyes grew wide with shock, before slowly drifting below my face and resting on Jace’s jacket. 

“I was at my parents’ house,” I sighed, feeling all the rage drain out of me just as it appeared. “Jace was there. He offered me a ride… There was nothing to it.”

He has always been insecure about Jaceon. Though he had never admitted it, but everytime I talked about Jace, his mood turned dark.

His green eyes locked on mine, glaring. I couldn’t tell what was stoking it. “He has a thing for you.”

I scoffed, turning back to the stairs. “Unlikely. Jace is family.”

His hands reached out again, spun me around, flattening me against his chest. He lowered his head, locking me with his gaze. One I never expected to see.

“He’s into you,” Christian ground out, his eyes dark with 

I swallowed loudly. “No, he’s–”

The words left my lips as he ground his mouth against mine. I froze, my heart pounding hard against my ears. What was he doing? Was I dreaming? His tongue pushed against my lips, demanding entrance. I opened up on reflex, letting his tongue consume me.

Desire burned in me, consuming me. I pressed myself against him as he deepened the kiss.

Out were my thoughts. The only thing I could string together was how hot his hands were under my blouse.

Liquid heat pulsed between my legs, lighting my body with need. My inexperienced hands roamed over him, pulling at his buttons.

He pulled away, gasping and I clung to his chest, certain my legs would give way if I tried to stand on them. 

“You taste delicious,” he whispered against my neck, before swinging me off the floor. My back hit the sofa just as his hands unbuttoned my shirt. Too wired to wait, I wiggled out of my trousers, panting with need, searching for his lips.

“Please,” I gasped, guiding him towards my wet heat. “Please… I need–”

He thrust into me, dragging a guttural moan out of my stomach. Every muscle in my body clenched and relaxed. He thrust harder, dragging my orgasm to the surface. I heard him grunt as I climaxed.

He sank to the floor, pulling me with him. We lay quiet, each of us trying to catch our breath, his fingers stroking my hair.

A ghost of a smile touched my lips. This was all I wanted– his attention, his affection, his heart. I couldn’t ask for anything else. Not in this moment. 

I snuggled deeper, basking in the aftermath of our lovemaking. It was everything I dreamt it would be. I winced, suddenly conscious of my lack of experience in the matter. What if it had been bad for him?

“Christian–”

“Shh,” his finger pressed against my lips. “Let’s just enjoy the moment.”

My head snapped at the pain in his voice, fuelling my fear. “What’s wrong? Did I do something wrong? Was it something I failed to do?”

“No. It has nothing to do with you, honey,” he sighed, planting a kiss on my forehead before pulling me back down. “I just had a rough day.”

“Want to talk about it?” I pushed, not ready to let it go.

His hands tightened around me. I sighed, taking his silence as my answer. 

“She doesn’t remember me,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “The doctor said it could be permanent... she doesn’t remember me.”

Pain sliced through my heart as the realization of what he was saying hit me. He was still thinking of her, even in this moment. I clenched my eyes shut, tears slipping down despite my effort to stop them. A tear dropped on my hair and I raised my head. He was crying. 

Christian Hale, the coldest person I’d ever met was crying. For her. All for her. He loved her, without a doubt.

Wiping my face, I pulled his head between my palms. “Don’t beat yourself up. Vivienne’s a fighter. She’s gotten through the hard part, even with the doctor’s prediction. I think she’ll beat this too, don’t you agree?”

He nodded, his tears streaming in silent torment. My heart ached at his pain. Instinctively, my hands flew around his neck, cradling him to my chest. “We’ll get through this together. You and I.”

I held him close, running my fingers along his arm until his breathing slowed into a rhythm. Leaning against the couch, I let my head fall, my eyelids drooping. My body ached with exhaustion and excitement. I could get used to this, even with Vivienne owning a portion of his heart. Christian’s soft snores lured me to sleep.

Weak sunlight filtered through the curtains, pulling me out of my dream world. A smile teased my lips as memories from the last night trickled in slowly. It quickly disappeared as my hand touched the empty space beside me.

“Christian?” I called, my heart racing with panic.

“Here,” he replied and my eyes snapped in the direction of his voice. He was seated on the couch across from me, his face buried behind his hands. “I’m going to the hospital.”

He stood up and my eyes widened. “Like this?” The question left my lips in a rush. 

He looked nothing like the arrogant, confident man I knew. His eyes were swollen, like he didn’t get any sleep last night. 

“I’ll freshen up in the hospital,” his voice sounded tired. Finally, he met my gaze, pleading and I knew what he was begging– I shouldn’t stop him. I shouldn’t hold last night over his head.

I stood up, wrapping my hair into a messy bun. “I’m coming with you,” I said, not acknowledging his pleas.

“You don’t have–”

“I want to,” I offered, averting my gaze, afraid I would fall apart. “For you. Please, let me.”

He didn't respond.

Seconds passed and I was already prepared to stalk him out of the house. “Okay,” his quiet reply reached my ears. I nodded, relief flooding through me. 

We drove in silence to the hospital. His hand reached for mine, entwining our fingers together. I smiled, feeling warmth rush up to my cheek as he squeezed gently. Hand in hand, we drifted through the hospital. 

The door opened just as we reached her room. She was seated upright, supported by pillows. Her eyes rested on us immediately we walked in.

“Chris,” her hoarse voice carried through the quiet room.

Christian dropped my hand. My heart raced. He was beside her before I could blink, his mouth all over her face, planting kisses.

I gasped, leaning on the door frame for support as my chest clenched with pain. I didn’t expect it to hurt this much. Why did it? I’d prepared myself for it.

Slowly, almost mechanically, I moved towards them. “Hello Vivienne," I pushed out, my hand resting on Christian's shoulder. “I’m glad you’re awake. I’m–”

Christian shrugged off my hand, nearly pushing me to the floor. “Get out of here,” he growled, his voice deathly calm. “Now.”

I stumbled back, shocked at his change. “Christian?”

He turned to the nurse. “Get her out of here, even if you’ve dragged her by her hair. This woman…” he pointed at me. “Is a threat to your patient. I want a security alert for whenever she steps a 100 feet anywhere close to this room.”

“Christian!” I screamed, hardly believing what I was hearing. “What are you trying to do?”

He spun toward me, his eyes filled with hate. “Keeping you away from her. Away from us.”

I stared at the man who looked nothing like the man who had made love to me and cried in my arms last night. Instead, he looked like the Christian I’d known for three years. How could I think he’d changed? Slowly, the realization sank in. Last night was an act. He’d used me to take away his pain of losing her.

Rage blinded my eyes and senses. I struck out, hitting his cheek with as much force as I could muster. 

“I can’t do this anymore,” I cried, tears rolling down my cheeks. “I can’t… I want a divorce. I want out.”

Without waiting for a response, I ran out of the room, tears blurring my vision. But I didn’t stop. 

My heart ached with every step I took, strengthening my resolve. One thing was clear, I had no more tears to shed over Christian Hale.

I was done.