All Chapters of A Second Chance with My Husband in the Past: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

“You’re still awake?” Charlotte asked softly, glancing over her shoulder as her mother stepped quietly into the room.Rita shook her head and came to sit beside her on the edge of the bed. “No,” she said. “I was just… thinking.”Charlotte turned fully toward her. “About what?”Rita hesitated for a moment, her gaze fixed on her hands. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she said, “Forgive me, Charlotte.”Charlotte blinked, surprised. She looked at her mother, searching her face, but said nothing.Rita went on, her tone trembling between regret and honesty. “All these years, we were so busy chasing our own idea of happiness. Your father and I… we never stopped to ask what mattered to you—or to Brian. We wanted to build a better life for all of us, but somewhere along the way, we forgot we were supposed to be a family.”The confession caught Charlotte off guard. She had never heard her mother speak like this—without pride, without pretense, stripped down to nothing but guilt.“Mom,”

“So, you’re getting married,” Ryan said, folding his arms with a smirk. “When exactly were you planning to tell me this—after the first kid was born?”Howard shot him a cold glare. “Cut the nonsense. There’s nothing worth announcing. That girl isn’t special.”Ryan chuckled softly. “Right. And yet you bought her designer gowns and jewelry.” He leaned casually against the edge of the desk. “Tell me something, though—why didn’t she accept any of it?”Howard’s tone was clipped. “Ego.”Ryan tilted his head. “Or maybe… self‑respect.”Howard turned sharply toward him. Ryan held his gaze, unflinching. “If I’m not mistaken,” he said, “this must be the same 'someone' who once dared to tell you the truth about yourself. The one who showed you a mirror.”Howard said nothing, his silence an answer in itself.Ryan’s voice softened, losing its sarcasm. “Tell me honestly—if someone publicly insulted you and then sent you a gift later through someone else’s hands, would you accept it?”Howard frowned,

Nearly two hours later, Howard’s patience gave out completely.He had stood there, silent and composed, while Charlotte moved from rack to rack, trying on dress after dress, smiling, chatting, and acting as if the boutique were her personal kingdom. But now—watching her reject yet another gown—something inside him snapped.He strode up to her, voice rising louder than it should have. “Are you actually going to buy something, or do you just plan on trying out every single piece in the store? Because, honestly, you might never get another chance like this again.”The words echoed through the boutique, sharp and humiliating. The staff froze where they stood, their nervous glances flicking between the two. A tense, uncomfortable silence filled the air.Charlotte slowly turned to face him, her expression calm but her eyes burning. “So that’s what this is about?” she said quietly. “You’re embarrassed that you brought me here? Or do you just regret that I said, in public, that you’re my fian

The laughter around them died abruptly.Anastasia’s face darkened, fury twisting her refined features into something raw and ugly. She took a step closer, her voice trembling with restrained anger.“Watch your mouth, Charlotte,” she hissed. “You’ve manipulated Howard’s grandfather into liking you, that’s all. Don’t think your little stunt will last forever. You’ll learn your place soon enough—because Howard will never give you what you’re dreaming of. You know what that is, don’t you? The title of his wife.”Charlotte didn’t flinch. Instead, she smiled.“I’m not interested in the title, Anastasia,” she said softly. Then, leaning closer, her voice dropped to a whisper meant only for her rival’s ears. “Because whether you like it or not, I’ll still have what you want. He may never be mine in name—but he will never be yours. At least I’ll share his nights, even if not his days.”Her lips curved into a mocking smile. “And you… you won’t even have that.”Anastasia froze, her breath hitchin

Howard’s voice was sharp, almost dripping with sarcasm. “Hate? You think I’m madly in love with you? You don’t even understand what hate means. Believe me, the hatred I have for you is three times more than the hatred you feel for me.”For a moment, the room was heavy with silence, stifling and thick enough to choke on.Charlotte moved toward the mirror and gently placed the bouquet down on the dressing table. “You don’t need to stay,” she said softly. “Once your mother brings the dress, I’ll change and go back downstairs to your grandfather. After that, you won’t have to tolerate my presence anymore.”Howard’s jaw tightened as he uttered a cold, “Fine.” Then he turned and left the room, the sharp click of the door closing behind him echoing in the tense space.He wanted to leave, but even he didn’t understand why he couldn't.Moments later, Karla entered the room holding a dress bag. Her expression was cold and arrogant as she roughly tossed the bag onto a nearby chair.Charlotte wat