Cold husband burning regret

Hiram stared at her, on the verge of breaking down. “I know everything now. Mom and Dad are gone, and you’re not really my sister. My sister would never abandon me…”

Charlotte froze for a few seconds, watching him take a shaky step back, his hands trembling. “Hiram! I never abandoned you! It doesn’t matter who I am- in my heart, you’ll always be my brother. We’ve grown up together for twenty years. Are you really going to throw all of that away over this?”

His eyes were unfocused. “But Tricia said…”

Charlotte stepped toward him, voice firm. “I don’t know exactly what Tricia told you, but do you honestly believe her? You were in a coma for months, and Mom and Dad’s accident was connected to her- I remember every detail. There’s no way I’ll just let her get away with it!”

He stood there, stunned, lost for words.

She slowly moved closer. “You’re the only brother I have left. The Sterling family only has you now. Are you going to leave me too?”

Hiram remained silent, unresponsive. Just then, a firefighter–harnessed to a safety rope–climbed up from the other side and, before Hiram could react, yanked him back to safety.

Both of them tumbled to the ground, the firefighter’s grip locked tight on

Hiram’s arm.

At last, Hiram stopped struggling.

Once he’d been rescued, Vera and the medical team escorted him back to his room. Charlotte, as next of kin, stayed behind to handle things with the police and fire department, offering her thanks.

Soon after, the police and firefighters left.

Charlotte was about to leave as well, only to realize Judd was still there..

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Chapter 388

she called, walking

waiting for

paused, then seemed to remember something. She pulled a small box from her bag. “Oh, right–this is for

lighter?” Judd raised an

hand stalled midair, puzzled. “How did you

hesitation. “Gentry told

Was he messing

from her, opened it, and smiled, lips curving.

taste.”

about to say something when, out of nowhere, Evander appeared at the elevator. He stood

back

looked away, suddenly unable to meet Evander’s dark, unreadable eyes. She’d lied to him, yes–but he’d lied

why did

she said, “Professor Carstairs, I need to check

He smiled. “Go ahead.”

toward the

until she reached him. Once she stepped inside, he

The silence was absolute.

blur. Lost in thought, she barely noticed when the man beside her loosened his collar, then suddenly pulled her close, trapping her against the

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12:47

Chapter 388

She froze in shock.

she came to her senses, he was already kissing her hard, desperate,

stung, going numb, and though she tried to push him away, he wouldn’t

finally stopped fighting did he let her go, his

pressed her lips together,