Chapter 005

CHARLOTTE

“Tell me you’re done with your luggage,” Jace’s calm but firm voice came through the phone. “I’m only a few minutes out. I’ll be there shortly.”

I glanced around the bedroom, glaring at the clothes scattered across the floor, shoes kicked aside, drawers pulled open in desperation.

“The suitcases are too small for my clothes,” I huffed, dragging a dress off the bed. “I have not even gotten to my shoes. This will not work. There is just so much to pack, I—”

“Charlotte Whitmore,” he cut in sharply. “Do not you dare rethink this. You are leaving tonight. We’ll file for divorce first thing in the morning. I am not letting you change your mind.”

A sad smile tugged at my lips. This was exactly why I called him.

If I were left alone with my thoughts for too long, I would crumble. I already had. I came home from the hospital determined to leave, but all I managed to do was collapse on the couch and cry until my chest hurt.

“I am not changing my mind,” I said quietly. Then again, louder, as if convincing myself. “I cannot take it anymore. One more day here and I might actually end up in the hospital.”

I stepped out of the closet and slumped onto the bed, exhaustion burning into my bones. Unconsciously, my eyes drifted to the side of the bed where he’d slept.

Last night came crashing into me without mercy.

His arms. His warmth. A sharp gasp tore out of me as I clutched the sheets, pain ripping through my chest.

“Char?” I heard the panic in his voice. “Charlotte? Are you okay? Say something—damn it.”

“I am fine,” I said breathlessly, my heart beating fast. “I just… almost tripped. There was a shoe on the floor.”

 “You scared the pants off me… thought you’re having a panic attack,” he said, his words coming out in a rush. “Are you hurt?”

Absentmindedly, I shook my head, my eyes trailing down the bed, picturing Christian lying on it. I could almost believe he was lying there, watching me with a mischievous glint in his eyes as I sat on the bed. 

Oh God, how I wished this were the life I was living. A tear slipped down my face.

“Lottie?’

“Yes,” I snapped, immediately regretting it. I sighed, reeling my emotions in. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I think everything is beginning to get to me… can we talk when you get here? I’ll be more productive if I don’t have to hear the pity in your voice every second.”

“Char–”

“I know. I know you mean well. I’m just bad company right now and–”

The screeching of tyres filled the room, then the blaring of a horn, followed by a string of curse words from his end. 

“Jace?”

“Shit. Lottie, you know I love you. I know you know that… I’ve got to go. I might be a bit late, but I’ll be with you as soon as I can…” he broke off again, letting off another string of curse words. “I’ll call you when I get to the estate gate.”

“What’s happen–” the dial tone cut my sentence, leaving me drained.

I forced myself back to packing. I stuffed clothes into suitcases without care. Time flew by, and by the time I stood up, I’d filled up most of the suitcases and there were still so many clothes left on the floor.

I was done. For all I care, he could burn the rest. Most of them I’d bought to impress him.

He never noticed.

Dragging my tired legs to the bathroom, I took a hot shower, dressed up and headed downstairs. The thought of calling my mum to inform her of my coming home crossed my mind. I pushed it away. 

“Rosalia,” I said when I reached the kitchen. “Please get the girls to take my bags to the car. They are in my room. And tell Jake to get ready.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I paused. “You can stop dinner. It will not be necessary.”

The words felt strange, like a final nail in a coffin.  Dinner was a ritual for three years of my married life, even when it was certain he would never join me. I held out hope. Always. 

Grabbing a bottle from the fridge, I dialled Jace’s number. It rang. No response. I tried again… same outcome. Panic crept up my spine as minutes ticked by.

I wandered the hallway, my fingers brushing over expensive paintings and polished walls. This house was meant to be a home. I’d imagined having children here, running around, laughing.

I stopped abruptly, my heart picking up its pace. Christian’s door stood at the end of the hall.

He insisted on separate floors on our wedding night. I remember thinking I must disgust him enough to make him give me an entire floor to myself.

“Charlotte.”

I froze at the sound of his voice. Why has fate decided to mock me one last time?

Slowly, I turned. Christian stood behind me, eyes dark, unreadable.

“I am sorry,” I murmured, stepping past him.

“Wait.” His hand closed around my wrist, pulling me to a stop. Before I could react, he turned the doorknob, pulled me into his room and locked the door.

Anger exploded inside me like fireworks.

“Let go of me!” I yanked my arm free. “What is wrong with you?”

“Charlotte, please,” he said, taking a step back and raising his hand into the air. “Just listen to me first.”

I folded my arms, heart pounding. “What do you want, Christian?”

“I— I,” Christian dragged a hand through his hair, pacing the room like a caged animal. “What happened at the hospital… it was a mistake.”

I laughed softly. The sound surprised even me.

“A mistake?” I echoed. “Ordering security on me? Threatening to drag me out by my hair? That kind of mistake?”

He flinched.

“I was under pressure,” he said hoarsely. “I had not slept. Vivienne was confused, frightened— everything was happening at once. I reacted poorly.”

I folded my arms over my chest, nails digging into my skin. “You humiliated me, Christian.”

“I know.” He stopped pacing, finally looking at me. “And I regret it.”

The words hit hard, putting a crack in the stone wall around my heart.

“I will do better,” he continued, desperation bleeding into his voice. “I promise you. Just… do not leave. Stay. Give me time to fix this.”

My heart betrayed me. How could he switch so easily? What was he playing at right now?

For a brief, dangerous moment, I saw the man I fell in love with — the boy who I would watch every day on the sidelines at school while he looked at his numerous girlfriends like they were the people that existed in his world. 

I just wanted him to look at me that way.

“Christian…” my voice broke. “You went back on your word.”

“I mean it this time.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.

I wanted to believe him, this time. God help me — I wanted to stay.

My phone rang.

The sound sent a shiver down my body.

Jace.

I hesitated, then answered.

“Lottie,” his voice came rushed. “There’s been a situation. I’m currently at the station right now.”

My breath caught. “What happened?”

“I’ll give you all the details when we see each other tomorrow. It’s under control,” he said quickly. “Nothing you need to worry about. I just won’t be able to make it tonight. I’m sending my assistant to get you.”

I glanced at Christian, who stood watching me intently.

“It’s already late,” I said after a pause. “Do not worry about me. I’ll… I’ll stay the night.”

There was a beat of silence.

“Are you sure?” Jace asked quietly.

“Yes. Tomorrow, you can come get me.”

“Alright,” he sighed. “Call me if anything changes.”

The line went dead.

I lowered the phone slowly, my hands trembling.

Christian’s shoulders relaxed. “You will stay?”

“For the night,” I corrected softly.

Something soft flashed through his eyes.

“I am not staying because of you,” I added. “I am staying because I am too tired to leave tonight.”

He nodded, his face suddenly turning blank. “I understand.”

I turned and clicked the door open.  “Good night, Christian.”

I rushed into the hallway, eager to put distance between us. 

Tonight, I stayed.

But tomorrow?

Tomorrow, I would still leave. No matter what.