All Chapters of EX-HUSBAND REGRET! (I married his billionaire step brother): Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Astor turned to her, his eyes narrowing. “What do you mean?”“You do need people,” she said. “You’re just too afraid to let them in.”He stared at her, his expression unreadable. “Maybe,” he said finally. “But letting people in means giving them the power to hurt you.”“And pushing them away means you hurt yourself,” Charlotte countered.Astor didn’t respond, but the look in his eyes told her he was listening.Charlotte leaned back against the bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.“You’re stronger than you think,” she said quietly.Astor let out a soft laugh, the sound devoid of humor. “If that were true, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”“Strength isn’t about never breaking,” Charlotte said. “It’s about how you put yourself back together.”Astor looked at her, his gaze searching. “You’re a strange woman, Charlotte Walker,” he said.She smiled faintly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”Astor’s lips curved into a genuine smile for the first time. It was brief, but it was there.—

Don't Talk About Him That Way!“Why will Astor keep us waiting this long?” Victor lamented.“I guess, that's one the his new attitudes, to keep people waiting unnecessarily.” Ethan said and hissed.—-Charlotte’s heart pounded as she stepped into the sitting room. Her presence immediately drew the attention of Victor and Ethan, their conversation halting halfway. Their smug expressions faltered, replaced by surprise as they realized they had an uninvited audience.“I couldn’t help but wonder…” Charlotte began, her voice steady, “if all this is what Harrington family is all about…. like this.” She said, stepping a bit forward.Ethan and Victor looked up and then exchanged glances, “what's she talking about?” “You know this doesn't speak well of the Harringtons, especially with the fact that, you're slandering your own brother, is that even fair? Aren't you guys supposed to be gentle men?”Victor leaned back in his chair, his lips curling into a smirk. “And who are you to lecture us ab

The Past Unveiled “Come with me,” Astor said, opening his palms for Charlotte to grab, she hesitated for a while but took them.“Where are you we going to?” Charlotte asked, a bit skeptical.“A quiet place…” Astor answered but that didn't sit well with Charlotte.“A quiet place? What for?” She thought but saying out loud.“Don't worry, you're safe…” Astor muttered as though he had read her thoughts.They got to a fireplace in one of the big living room and Astor lead her through, afterwards, he left her hand, sat on one of the soft sofas, allowing Charlotte to sit opposite him.The crackle of the fireplace filled the quiet sitting room as Astor sat on the edge of the couch, his elbows resting on his knees. His usual guarded expression was gone, replaced by something softer, something vulnerable.Charlotte sat across from him, watching the flames dance as she waited for him to speak. It wasn’t often that he opened up, and she didn’t want to push too hard.“My family wasn’t always lik

Astor sat at his desk, his fingers tapping against the keyboard as he scrolled through page after page of information. His usually sharp, focused expression was tinged with something else, determination, yes.Charlotte’s story wouldn’t leave his mind. The way her voice had trembled when she spoke about her mother, the pain etched in her features, it had stayed with him long after she’d left the room. And now, he wants answers, he wanted to know what really went wrong.Astor leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning an old map of Charlotte’s hometown. The town was small, almost forgotten, nestled near a dense forest. He had never heard of it before tonight, but the more he dug, the more questions he had.He opened another tab and began typing, searching for any records, articles, or mentions of the area. His fingers moved swiftly over the keys, his mind racing.Just then, something familiar cut his attention, he sat up and moved closer, THE ZONE, he zoomed it as though, answers were

“This is Charlotte,” Astor said, his tone neutral.The woman smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Charming,” she said before moving on.Charlotte exhaled quietly, relieved when the woman was out of earshot. “She seemed... lovely,” she said sarcastically.Astor smirked. “That’s my mother's best friend, Gracy. Don’t take it personally, she’s like that with everyone.”As the evening went on, Charlotte found herself growing more comfortable, though she still felt the occasional sharp glance from certain guests.Astor stayed close to her, guiding her through conversations with ease.Astor pulled Charlotte aside, his expression serious.“I need you to be careful,” he said quietly.“Careful about what?” Charlotte asked, frowning.“My family,” Astor said. “And the people in this circle. They’ll smile to your face and stab you in the back the moment you let your guard down.”Charlotte nodded, his words sending a chill down her spine.“Stay close to me,” Astor said. “And don’t trus