Chapter 115: His First Love Has Returned
Frederick gently stroked Charlotte's hair and said, "Sorry, I have some things to take care of." He got up and walked to the study.
Charlotte couldn't help but overthink. She wasn't trying to secure her place in the relationship; she just sensed something was off with Frederick.
The person in his heart must have returned. Earlier, she had mentioned Elijah's daughter...
Katherine.
Charlotte felt a chill. Katherine was the one Frederick cared about.
She had met Elijah many times. Frederick had even been with her while on the phone with Elijah. But he never mentioned Katherine.
No one told her. Everyone knew, except her.
The early autumn night was chilly. Charlotte sat alone on the sofa, separated from Frederick by just a wall, but it felt like a lifetime apart.
She had developed feelings for him. The roses on the pillow, the Morning Dew, and those passionate nights.
Charlotte smiled faintly, realizing these meant nothing. Katherine's name outweighed everything between her and Frederick.
Charlotte didn't overestimate herself and didn't want to talk about it. They were nothing.
Even if she was foolish, she knew from Frederick's attitude that Katherine still had a strong influence on him. Charlotte wasn't one to humiliate herself.
He wanted to be alone, so she gave him space. But she still made him a meal, packed it in a thermal container, and placed it on the dining table.
Charlotte sat quietly in the living room, went over financial statements, took a bath, and took care of her skin. Her failed relationship with Ethan taught her that feeling sorry for a man led to no good outcome.
Late at night, Frederick sat in the study. The ashtray was filled with cigarette butts, and the room was smoky. After finishing the last cigarette, he crushed the box and threw it away.
His eyes were sore, reminding him it was late. Frederick got up and walked out.
The living room was dimly lit, with only a small night light left by Charlotte. By its light, he saw the meal on the dining table.
He opened it; it was oatmeal porridge. Frederick took a few bites and then walked into the master bedroom.
Charlotte was already asleep, wearing a conservative white cotton nightgown. Frederick remembered hearing that a woman's nightgown style indicated if she wanted to be intimate, and it was clear Charlotte didn't want to tonight.
Frederick guessed she knew something. After taking a shower, he hugged her from behind.
Charlotte didn't want to wake up, but he insisted. "Frederick," she sighed, turning to face him, "I'm tired, I don't want to."
Frederick didn't have that intention. He just wanted to talk. He pressed his forehead against hers and confessed, "I dated Katherine for a few years. She's Mr. Mitchell's daughter."
Charlotte was stunned. She leaned against his chest and asked softly, "Do you want to get back with her?"
Frederick's voice was cold. "No, she's engaged."
Charlotte didn't ask any more questions.
She thought, this explanation wasn't really for her but for himself. He was convincing himself that his past with Katherine was over because she was engaged.
It had nothing to do with her, and Charlotte knew this well.
She tightened her arms around his neck and said, "That's good! I don't want to be a mistress either!"
Frederick got angry. Sometimes, Charlotte was really annoying. She knew where it hurt and poked right there.
He didn't do anything but rubbed her hair and whispered, "Tomorrow is Chloe's birthday party. Dress nicely."
Charlotte smiled faintly. She guessed Katherine had come back for Chloe's birthday, and more bluntly, for Frederick. Usually, he might avoid her, but at a birthday party, it was inevitable for old lovers to meet.
The next day was Chloe's birthday. This might be her last birthday with the Hawkins family, and they loved her, so they held the party at Hawkins Mansion.
Patrick and his wife spared no expense; everything was top-notch. Hawkins Mansion was magnificent, with a band, gourmet food, and well-dressed elite guests. Chloe was practically a princess.
Charlotte chose a white silk dress with an off-the-shoulder design and a large open back, tied with thin straps and adorned with pearl-sized beads. She looked beautiful and sexy.
Originally, Frederick didn't want her to wear it, saying the back was too revealing, but with her long hair down, it only showed a hint of skin, making it even more alluring.
Charlotte held onto Frederick's arm and followed him to meet his family. He never hid their relationship and was always open about it.
Laura was all smiles. Frederick finally had someone in his life. When others asked about the wedding, Laura smiled modestly, "Charlotte is still young. Let her and Frederick date for a couple more years."
She was generous on the surface but secretly looked at Frederick with resentment. They slept together every day; why couldn't something happen, like getting pregnant?
Charlotte followed Frederick around. Her feet got sore, so she found an excuse to sit in the small garden and take a break.
A shadow rose in front of her. Charlotte looked up and saw it was Ethan.
Ethan looked much better today than the last few times. Charlotte guessed the Cooper Group crisis had been resolved. Today was Chloe's birthday, and she really wanted to congratulate him and then never see him again.
Ethan noticed Charlotte's aloofness. He smiled. "Frederick brought you to this kind of party. Are you happy? Do you think you can marry into the Hawkins family? Did he introduce you to Patrick?"
Charlotte looked straight at him. "What exactly do you want to say?"
Ethan leaned in, very angry. There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "You know Frederick doesn't want to get married, right? Do you know why?"
Before he could finish, Charlotte's gaze fell somewhere. She said softly, "Yes."
Ethan was stunned and followed her gaze.
At the entrance of the Hawkins Mansion garden, a slender figure in a fiery red gown swayed gracefully, with golden hair cascading down her waist, beautiful and passionate. Frederick, in a black suit, gazed at her.
They looked like a pair of star-crossed lovers.
Charlotte lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. Frederick had said she was his Morning Dew. No, she wasn't. Katherine was his red rose, while she was just a bland bowl of porridge that Frederick had tasted, nothing special.
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