Chapter 260 Are You Still Mad
Frederick rolled in pretty late, like around nine.
Charlotte was hanging with Lola at the piano.
Lola, rocking a cute little skirt, was sitting up straight and playing pretty well.
Frederick shrugged off his coat, tossed it on the couch, strolled over, leaned in close to Charlotte, and whispered, "She just got out of the hospital. Maybe let her chill for a few more days?"
He adored the kid but couldn't bring himself to scold Charlotte.
Charlotte gave a soft smile. "She wants to play."
She caught a whiff of booze on him and lowered her voice. "Did you hit up a party?"
Frederick chuckled, gently rubbed her back, and rasped, "Can you whip me up some noodles? I didn't eat much tonight."
Charlotte's face was a mix of emotions. She got up to make him some noodles.
After a few steps, he pulled her back, nuzzled her nose with his, and said, "There were some girls there, but I kept my distance. Charlotte, I won't do anything to make you upset."
Charlotte blushed, biting her lip lightly. "I didn't say anything."
Frederick's eyes were intense. "But I wanted you to know."
Charlotte couldn't handle his gaze, which was all tender and full of that unique look of a guy seeking affection. She glanced at Lola, reminding him to chill.
Only then did Frederick let her go.
He plopped down next to Lola, gave her a pat, and said, "Why are you suddenly so into practicing?"
Lola stopped playing, climbed onto Frederick's lap, and kissed her dad. "Today, Elodie Rivera played the piano at kindergarten, and Johnny kept staring at her."
Lola was bummed out.
Elodie had been taking piano lessons for a year and was better than her.
Frederick chuckled, holding Lola on his lap. "Then Lola has to practice even harder, and you'll totally outplay her."
Lola's little face turned red. Her tiny, fair fingers ran over the keys, and after a bit, she said softly, "But I wanna be a lawyer when I grow up."
Frederick kissed her cheek. "That doesn't clash. Being a lawyer is for when you're grown up, for now, you can rock the piano."
His words gave Lola hope.
She clenched her little fist. 'Yeah, I'm not doing it for Johnny.'
Meanwhile, Charlotte finished making the noodles and set them on the dining table.
Frederick patted Lola's head, telling her to keep playing the piano. It wasn't until Lola took a bath that Charlotte had time to talk to him about serious stuff.
In the kids' room, the sound of Lola bathing came from the bathroom.
Charlotte was tidying up the room.
Frederick sat on the couch, watching her back, feeling all warm and fuzzy.
Charlotte had really come back, taking care of the family like a wife, and he loved having her around like this.
He asked, "Got something to say to me?"
Charlotte, holding Lola's little pajamas, turned around and lowered her voice. "I saw it. Frederick, Lola's still young. You don't need to plan her future so soon."
Frederick pulled out a cigarette from his pocket. He didn't light it, just fiddled with it between his fingers.
He reached out his hand to her.
Charlotte hesitated for a moment, then sat down next to him, couldn't help but call out again, "Frederick."
Frederick gently stroked her cheek, his voice raspy. "Today I played golf with Johnny's dad, talked about a project, and dropped 30 million dollars into his company."
Charlotte objected, "Frederick, money can't buy feelings."
Frederick looked at her, smiling faintly. "But it can buy Lola's safety."
Lola's special condition meant she needed Johnny big time. Family background? Whatever. The key thing was he had the same rare blood type.
Plus, Johnny was a go-getter, full of ambition.
Frederick's gut told him this was the right move.
Charlotte knew he had made up his mind. She wasn't thrilled, but she couldn't really argue with it.
Frederick wrapped his arms around her waist gently. "Charlotte, I know this bugs you, so I'm talking it over with you."
Charlotte laughed, but it was more out of frustration. "Talking it over? You've already decided."
Frederick stared at her. After a moment, he smirked. "Yeah, I've decided. Just waiting for Mrs. Hawkins to get on board."
He was shameless, and Charlotte wasn't about to lose her cool over it.
Just then, Lola came out of the bathroom.
Charlotte's anger faded. She dried Lola off with a towel and got her into her pajamas.
Frederick headed downstairs to grab some milk for Lola.
When he came back up, he saw Charlotte had changed into loungewear, looking like she was ready to crash with Lola. He smiled, handed the milk to Lola, and said gently, "Tonight, Lola's sleeping with Mommy and me."
Holding the bottle, Lola clung to her dad, eager to go over.
Frederick smiled, holding Lola's bottom, carrying her towards the master bedroom. After a few steps, he looked back at Charlotte. "Why are you lagging behind?"
Charlotte was dragging her feet.
In the master bedroom, the light was dim and cozy.
Frederick placed little Lola on the bed, checked her leg wound, a scab had formed; just looking at it made his heart ache. He couldn't help but kiss it.
Charlotte watched him.
Honestly, he was a whole different Frederick from before. Maybe when they were alone, he still liked to say shameless things and was still wild in bed, but he was a good dad.
Charlotte was lost in thought, not realizing Frederick was watching her.
His gaze was soft.
The light dimmed, he held her hand across Lola, and whispered, "Still mad?"
Charlotte's slender fingers lightly traced his palm.
"Not mad for now."
"Then can I invite Mr. Flores' family over?"
Charlotte wanted to take back what she just said.
In the dark, Frederick chuckled lowly. "Charlotte, if you're still angry, come over and let's have a fiery encounter to burn away the tension."
Charlotte ignored him, gently closed her eyes to sleep.
He was really shameless.
But in the middle of the night, Frederick quietly turned over, and in a few moves, had her under control.
Charlotte's voice was tearful. "No. Let's go to the guest room. Lola will wake up."
Frederick picked her up, kissing her as he walked.
By the time they reached the guest room, Charlotte was already a mess because of him.
Afterwards, she leaned on his shoulder, exhausted and wanting to sleep.
But she still said, "Frederick, why do you think about intimacy all the time?"
He was originally lying flat, now he turned to his side, looking at her delicate features in the dim light, and whispered, "Charlotte, I'm 33. Think about how much time we've really spent together in these five years. I've given you the best years of a man."
Charlotte touched his face. "And whose fault is that?"
Maybe it was the late night, people's hearts were too soft, so they could talk about things they usually didn't want to or dare to mention.
"It's my fault." Frederick said hoarsely. "Charlotte, don't blame me anymore, okay? I'll treat you well from now on."
He couldn't help but pull her closer, holding her tightly in his arms.
He had lost her for too long.
He always wanted her, not just for physical needs, but also because he desperately wanted to prove she still belonged to him.
The night was still long.
Frederick turned over and possessed Charlotte again.
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