Regret Novel 194

Chapter 194

The housekeeper, nerves taut, recounted the incident at the lake to Charlotte. As she listened in silence, Charlotte’s thoughts turned to the web of bruises and scars she’d seen on Hans’s legs. Suspicion began to take root.

“Can you do me a favor?” she asked quietly.

The housekeeper nodded. “Of course, ma’am. Whatever you need.”

“When the boy’s asleep, could you take a few pictures for me? Focus on his upper legs, and try to get them as clear as possible.” Charlotte finished, exchanged contact details, and transferred her some money. “And please–don’t let anyone else know about this.”

The housekeeper didn’t quite understand Charlotte’s request, but the money spoke for itself. She agreed.

As dusk settled over Tranquility Manor, Charlotte sat at the bar, sipping freshly pressed juice, waiting. At last, her phone buzzed: the housekeeper had sent several photos.

Under the lamplight, Hans’s legs were a mess of angry bruises and ragged scars. His knees were pitted with old wounds, some barely healed.

Charlotte saved the images, her mind racing. She forwarded them to Jonathan, asking for his help in gathering evidence of Tricia’s abuse.

Jonathan replied almost immediately: [Alright.]

He stared at the pictures for a long time, torn.

truth about Tricia–and her downfall

back, he drained his glass,

owed him. He couldn’t

after weighing his options, Jonathan called

paced the living room, gnawing at her thumbnail. “I knew it–she must have figured something

only on

15:11

fallen down the stairs and was unconscious, she’d refused to let Evander near his legs. And now

Charlotte planning to

boy yourself,” Jonathan said flatly, staring at his empty glass. “I’ll cover for you as best I can and try to keep Evander from finding out. But if he

hung up, eyes burning with

to deal with Charlotte–at least, not

Charlotte was forcing

Jonathan

coffee mug and studied her. “Do you have

said, stirring her coffee. “Those injuries are clearly the result of ongoing harm. Accidents don’t leave repeated marks in the

can’t promise I’ll find anything,” Jonathan admitted. “Tricia’s far too

“You’re right.

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