All Chapters of Fractured Hearts: He Left Me, Now He Wants Me Back: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Charlotte’s POVI sat in silence, my hands clasped tightly together as I stared at the carpet beneath my feet. The lawyer’s words continued to echo in my mind.They’re offering you nothing. Not a single cent and not a single property. Not even the businesses we had spent years building together.The living room had become unusually quiet. My father had stopped pacing, my mother had stopped trying to comfort me, and even our lawyer seemed content to let me gather my thoughts.I couldn’t understand it. No… I wouldn’t understand it.What game was Alexander playing? Divorcing me wasn’t enough? Now he wants to strip me of everything too? Why?I replayed every conversation we’d had since I’d returned home.His cold eyes… his harsh voice…. And the way he had looked at me as though I were a complete stranger.That wasn’t the Alexander I knew or perhaps… It was, and I’d simply refused to see him for who he truly was.Still… Something didn’t add up.Even if he hated me… Even if he genuinely be

Charlotte’s POVI pulled the hood of my sweatshirt lower over my face before stepping out of the car.The parking lot outside the police station was quiet despite the late evening rush inside the building. Officers walked in and out carrying files while patrol vehicles came and went, their flashing lights briefly painting the walls blue and red.I drew in a slow breath. This wasn’t how I imagined I would ever return to society. Hiding and watching over my shoulder, afraid of being recognized.I adjusted the sunglasses on my face despite the fading daylight and walked inside.The receptionist barely glanced at me before I quietly said, “I’m here to see Terry Benson.”She looked down at her computer. “Name?”I hesitated for a split second. “…Charlotte.”The woman’s eyes widened ever so slightly before she quickly recovered. “I’ll let him know.”A few minutes later, Terry appeared from the hallway, he looked exhausted. Dark circles sat beneath his eyes, but the moment he saw me, surprise

Charlotte’s POVI shouldn’t have agreed to this. The thought had been tormenting me ever since we left Seattle.I sat in the back seat of Terry’s SUV, staring blankly through the window as the city lights slowly disappeared behind us. The farther we drove, the heavier my heart became.Beside me, my mother gently squeezed my hand. “It’s going to be alright, sweetheart.”I didn’t answer. How could it possibly be alright? I had just signed away my marriage.My home was behind me! My life was behind me! Everything I had spent years building seemed to be slipping further away with every mile the car covered.Dad sat in the front passenger seat while Terry drove with both hands firmly on the steering wheel, his eyes constantly shifting between the road ahead and the rearview mirror.I finally broke the silence. “I shouldn’t have done it.”No one replied immediately as I swallowed hard then continued. “I shouldn’t have signed those papers.”Terry sighed. “Charlotte…”I shook my head before h

Charlotte’s POVThe words echoed in my ears. “Unfortunately… your private investigator couldn’t make it.”For a split second, my heart lurched violently against my ribs But I refused to let whoever was on the other end hear even the slightest trace of fear.Instead of speaking immediately, I slowly turned my head and looked around the old phone booth.The empty road, the convenience store across the street, an elderly man pushing a shopping cart and a teenager riding a bicycle… There was nothing unusual.I looked behind me through the dusty glass… There was no suspicious vehicle, possibly no one was watching me or at least no one obvious.I slowly tightened my grip on the receiver then I spoke calmly. “So Alex has people answering other people’s phones now? You’re Alex lackey…”A soft chuckle drifted through the receiver. It definitely wasn’t loud, it wasn’t forced, rather, it was… amused.“You’ve misunderstood the situation, Charlotte Harper.” His voice was smooth, controlled and alm

Charlotte’s POVMidnight had come, I sat on the edge of the worn sofa, staring at the old clock mounted on the wall. The ticking had become unbearable. Every second that passed without any sign of my father or Terry tightened the knot in my chest.“Where were they?”Dad had promised he would be careful. Terry had promised he would return but neither of them had.My mother stood by the window for what felt like the hundredth time, pulling the curtain aside just enough to peer into the darkness outside before letting it fall again.“Nothing?” I asked quietly.She shook her head. “No.”I stood up abruptly. “I can’t do this anymore.”She immediately turned toward me. “Charlotte… what are you saying?”“I’m going to look for Dad.”Her eyes widened. “No! I’m not letting you do that on my watch.”I walked toward the chair where I’d left my jacket but she continued speaking. “You can’t go out there.”“I have to, Mom.”“You don’t know what’s out there.”“And I don’t know what’s happened to the