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.

learn the truth

his

Howard family still owed him. He couldn’t

his

room, gnawing at her thumbnail. “I knew it–she must have figured something out when she saw Hans last time! But I never thought it would come

leave scars only on the boy’s legs–never his arms or

15:11

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

Charlotte planning to

cover for you as best I can and try to keep Evander from finding out. But if he starts getting suspicious on his own,

eyes burning

deal with

was forcing

next day, Charlotte met Jonathan

coffee mug and studied her. “Do you have

clearly the result of ongoing harm. Accidents don’t leave repeated

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

nodded. “You’re right.

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