Chapter 145 I Can't Afford What You Want
After Charlotte asked, Frederick looked shocked.
He let go of her and stood there, smoking quietly.
Charlotte had expected this but still felt a bit sad.
After a moment, she said softly, "Frederick, you just want a physical relationship. I want feelings, maybe even marriage. We're not right for each other. When the passion fades, there might only be resentment. Why bother?"
Frederick tossed his cigarette and stomped it out.
He looked at her in the night.
Charlotte's face was fair, her eyes a bit red, like a cute little rabbit.
Frederick thought for a long time before speaking. "Charlotte, I admit, before you, I saw feelings like work. Invest some effort, get a return. I didn't see anything wrong with that."
He continued, "But I don't just want to sleep with you. Otherwise, I wouldn't be so persistent, right?"
Charlotte looked at him, knowing he hadn't gotten to the point yet.
As expected, Frederick's gaze deepened.
He spoke softly, "Charlotte, I don't know how far we can go. But I'm serious about you. I've never been this persistent with a woman before; you're the first."
Charlotte lowered her eyes.
Frederick didn't lie or say sweet words.
He gently lifted her chin. "Charlotte, I like you."
But not to the extent of love.
His love had burned too intensely in his youth, and he hadn't found that feeling again.
He did like Charlotte, and their arguments made him unhappy.
But he wasn't to the point of being unable to eat or sleep.
It was more about disrupting his life rhythm.
He shouldn't have said these things; any girl hearing this wouldn't want to reconcile. But Frederick felt a bit of pity for Charlotte, so he didn't want to lie.
Frederick took a step back.
His handsome face was calm. "Charlotte, I'm sorry. I can't give you what you want."
Whether it was marriage or children.
The wind was strong.
Charlotte felt cold and wrapped her coat around herself.
She looked at Frederick under the moonlight.
All the previous embarrassment and anger seemed to have left her.
She liked Frederick, but they hadn't met at the right time. They had both been through emotional traumas and didn't trust each other.
Charlotte stepped aside.
She smiled faintly. "Mr. Hawkins, drive safely."
Frederick's gaze was deep.
He nodded, opened the car door, and got in.
But he didn't leave immediately. Instead, he lit another cigarette, took a puff, and saw that Charlotte was still there. He lifted his chin. "You should go inside. It's cold at night."
Charlotte looked at him deeply, one last time.
She suddenly turned and left.
Frederick slowly moved the cigarette from his lips, staring blankly at her back.
Over the years, Charlotte was the only woman he had truly cared about.
If there were no differences, he thought they could have been together for a long time. He also knew that the reason they had come to this point was because of him.
Charlotte's feelings for him were clear from the start.
But when she asked him, with red eyes, if he loved her, he gave up on the relationship.
He didn't want to entrust his future to another woman, didn't want to taste betrayal again, even though he knew Charlotte wouldn't do that.
Frederick sat in the car for a long time, processing the end of their relationship.
Two months flew by.
During that time, Charlotte and Ms. Garcia had successfully taken over the music center, making it the largest in Syeattel—a big career win.
William's case had also gone to trial last month.
Charlotte had seen Frederick once.
They exchanged a few business-related words. His attitude was cold and distant, as if they had never shared those passionate nights. Charlotte matched his tone.
Later, the court ruled William not guilty.
Charlotte hesitated but eventually sent a message: [Thank you, Mr. Hawkins.]
Three days later, Frederick replied: [You're welcome. It was my duty.]
Charlotte looked at the message and thought of the Frederick she had first met.
He was good at pretending and hiding his feelings.
She smiled lightly and moved on.
In early December, Lily invited her to dinner.
When Charlotte arrived, she looked around. "Still eating kids' meals, Lily?"
Lily laughed and lowered her voice. "Charlotte, I've been really wanting a child lately."
Charlotte knew Lily's situation.
Robert was still fooling around, only showing Lily respect by not bringing anyone home.
Charlotte gently stirred her coffee.
After a while, she asked, "Are you sure?"
Lily was momentarily dazed, then said, "Charlotte, you know, I haven't really worked since I married him. I can't leave him, and I don't care about those around him."
She looked at her belly. "Maybe if I have a child, he'll settle down."
Charlotte gently held her hand. "Lily, do you want to work at my place?"
Lily shook her head and smiled. "I'd better not. I don't want to mislead others!"
Charlotte didn't insist.
Lily suddenly coughed lightly. "Tomorrow night is my anniversary with Robert. Charlotte, you should come!"
Charlotte hesitated.
After all, Robert and Frederick were in the same circle. Would she run into him?
Lily assured her, "No, Frederick hasn't attended any social events in the past two months. He's been very quiet. Besides, Robert doesn't have the clout to invite him."
With that assurance, Charlotte agreed.
Lily shared another piece of news. "Charlotte, you know, Katherine is back in Novaria. Robert once said Katherine had a big fight with her fiancé's lover, and that lover was quite tough, sending Katherine to the hospital."
Charlotte was stunned.
Lily's eyes and brows showed satisfaction.
"She really got what she deserved. I heard that lover was a maid for the Mitchell family. Probably she is good in the bed and knows how to please men."
Lily was getting more and more explicit.
Charlotte couldn't listen anymore. "I have something to do later. I'll be off."
Lily reminded her, "Don't forget tomorrow night. I'll send you the details."
Charlotte waved.
She kept it in mind and the next evening, she went back to her apartment and changed into a smoky gray long dress, topped with a thin coat.
Charlotte pinned up her golden hair, looking quite beautiful and elegant.
But as soon as she walked into the private room, everyone's gaze shifted, and the room fell silent.
Charlotte was puzzled, then she saw the person sitting in the corner.
It was Frederick.
He was wearing tailored wool trousers and a dark blue shirt.
Clearly, he had come from a formal event.
Charlotte's scalp tingled as she looked at Lily.
Hadn't she said he wouldn't come?
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