Cold husband burning regret

Regret Novel 206

“An accident?” The old woman let out a dry laugh. “Charlotte’s brother, her parents–Tricia was there every time something happened. And you want me to believe it was just an accident?”

Evander pressed his lips together, silent. He’d wondered about these things himself, but deep down, he’d never wanted to believe Tricia was capable of real malice.

He’d known Tricia for a decade. They’d even been in love once.

Six years ago, he’d been powerless to defy his family and fight for her. He carried that guilt. Even knowing Tricia could be calculating–even knowing she’d set Charlotte up before–he’d always seen them as petty schemes, nothing truly dangerous.

The old woman closed her eyes and sighed, her voice heavy. “If I’d known marrying you would bring her nothing but misery, I never would’ve agreed in the first place. And now, even after consenting to your divorce, I can’t help but wish you two could work things out.”

Evander’s brow tightened. “You talk about consent, but wasn’t it your idea in the first place for her to marry me? You and she drove Tricia away. You never once cared what I thought.”

The old woman paused, startled, then gave a short, incredulous laugh. “Yes, I made Tricia leave. But that had nothing to do with Charlotte.”

“When Charlotte married you, she had no idea about you and Tricia.”

He fell silent, leaning back against the headboard, lost in thought.

“Enough,” she said finally. “If you want a divorce, then get one. Whatever debt the Howard family owed Charlotte, we’ve repaid it.”

Miranda stared at her in shock. “Mother, but Charlotte’s carrying our family’s child. Even if they divorce, shouldn’t we at least wait-”

is hers,” the old woman

cane, she left the

Jacques followed her out.

stared out the window, his expression

that evening. It was her mother–in–law, Miranda, who’d called and asked her

lingered outside the room for a moment before

a jacket draped over his

looked exhausted, a heaviness etched into his brow. His gaze settled on Charlotte, his

at the foot of the bed. “As long as you’re alive, that’s

you wish

shrugged.

laugh. “You wouldn’t be sad

heartbeat, then smiled. “Why would I? Even if you dropped dead right now, I wouldn’t

hoping to find some trace of longing, tenderness–something like what used

There was nothing.

rising and falling with each careful breath.

regarded him coolly. “No. But it’s

picked up a lighter, lit a cigarette, and took a couple of quick drags–ignoring the hospital’s no–smoking signs. The smoke caught in