Chapter 271 He Held On Until the Baby's First Kick
In the evening, a sleek black SUV rolled up to the villa, creeping in like it had all the time in the world. The car came to a stop, and the driver hopped out to open the door for Charlotte.
Dana slid over and whispered, "Frederick's in the study."
Charlotte gave a nod and made her way inside, heading upstairs. She eased the study door open.
Frederick was behind the desk, the dim light casting shadows on his chiseled face. The computer in front of him was looping Charlotte's press conference video. Who knows how many times he'd watched it that day.
And there it was, that diary, right next to him.
When Charlotte walked in, he looked up. She was still rocking that white suit, looking all professional and classy.
Frederick reached out his hand.
Charlotte stepped closer, leaning into his arms without a word.
Frederick untied her hair and slipped off her high heels.
He buried his face in her hair, his voice low and rough, "You tired?"
Charlotte felt a lump in her throat.
She shook her head gently, holding him tight for a long moment before whispering, "Frederick, let's go to the nursing home."
Frederick tensed up a bit.
Charlotte kissed his neck softly, "You'll be more at ease there. You won't have to force yourself to remember me and Lola all the time, and it won't hurt so much. Frederick, when you remember us, call me, and Lola and I will come see you."
Her voice cracked.
She knew he was remembering her less and less.
Frederick shut his eyes in pain.
Charlotte's voice broke, "Frederick, do it before I change my mind."
She suddenly stood up, pushing him back into the chair, and started unbuckling his belt.
Frederick's voice was a rough whisper, "Charlotte!"
Charlotte kissed him.
She knew what he liked best.
Things she never wanted to do before, she was willing to do now. She wanted him to remember this moment, to leave her mark on him, so even if he forgot her, he wouldn't forget this intense moment.
Frederick's fingers gripped the armrest tight. He looked down, eyes a bit wet, staring at the woman in his arms. He couldn't help himself and pulled her in for a kiss. "That's enough, Charlotte."
Her voice shook, "Frederick, you're mine, all of you!"
Frederick moved into that fancy nursing home.
He took the diary with him.
The doc had given him a wristband, a tracker.
But Charlotte took it off, like she was freeing him from chains! Frederick wouldn't get lost; the worst that could happen was he'd forget to come back home.
Sometimes, he'd remember her.
Maybe once a week, maybe every ten days, or maybe half a month, he'd call her, whisper sweet things, eager to see her.
No matter how busy Charlotte was, she'd take Lola to visit him!
Lola was a trooper. She seemed to get that her dad was away on a trip! She never cried or fussed and would cheer him up when he remembered her!
Every time, she'd bring a fairy tale book.
She'd sit in her dad's lap, sweetly asking him to read to her!
By the time Frederick read the fourth book, he could barely remember them. He held on until he felt the first kick of their baby. That strong heartbeat made him feel both amazed and reverent. This was the little life he and Charlotte had created together, and now it was really starting to move.
Frederick cherished that feeling.
He lay in Charlotte's arms, listening to the heartbeat.
Later, he fell asleep.
Charlotte covered her mouth, crying uncontrollably. She knew Frederick had held on this long because of that diary.
When he got home late at night, Charlotte thought about their next meeting, a smile playing on her lips.
Dana came over. "Hey, Charlotte, you got a package!"
Charlotte grabbed it, gave it a quick look, and then froze.
The sender? Frederick!
She tore it open. Inside were three voice recorders, each with a label.
Charlotte headed upstairs and turned on the one marked for her. After some static, Frederick's deep, raspy voice filled the room.
"Charlotte, if you're hearing this, I might not be around anymore. You're probably crying, huh? Don't cry! We're still married, and we got two kids! The one in your belly is a boy; let's call him Kingsley Hawkins! Charlotte, promise me, don't stop looking for me, no matter what! I love you, and I can't imagine life without you! No matter how awesome my past was, it can't touch what I felt with you!"
"Charlotte, I love you!"
"Charlotte, be brave for me one more time, okay?"
Charlotte sat in the living room, gently rubbing her slightly rounded belly, listening closely.
Tears streamed down her face!
She had a gut feeling that Frederick was really gone!
Just then, her phone buzzed on the sofa. It was the nursing home!
Charlotte answered softly.
The caller was a doctor from the hospital, who regretfully informed her, "Mrs. Hawkins, Mr. Hawkins has left! He took all his documents and bank cards, along with two sets of clothes."
Charlotte felt like her body was drained. She trembled. "Is there anything else?"
The person thought for a moment and then said, "Mr. Hawkins left a diary by his pillow. Do you need it?"
"Yes! I'll come get it right away!"
Charlotte hung up, mechanically wiping away her tears, but new ones kept falling.
She went downstairs and told the driver to get ready.
Downstairs, Patrick was standing there, looking a bit anxious and more than a little heartbroken.
He gazed at Charlotte and whispered, "A few days ago, he retook his bar exam! I found out he took his passport and bought a ticket to Kyro. He should be on the plane now."
Charlotte silently wept.
Even though she had known this day would come, she couldn't help but cry.
Frederick had completely forgotten.
His memory had reverted to five years ago, before they had met.
Frederick was gone, flying towards the sky he longed for, returning to his beloved career as a lawyer.
But she was still here, so was Lola.
When they met again, would he see them as strangers, without love or hate?
Charlotte gently closed her eyes and let out a heart-wrenching cry!
Patrick cried too.
He gently patted Charlotte's shoulder and said softly, "Charlotte, don't cry too long, or Frederick will be heartbroken! Don't worry; he's fine. He'll come back eventually!"
Charlotte was still trembling.
Even though she had mentally prepared for months, when this day came, she was still devastated!
Charlotte wanted to see the fortune teller.
She was devout, walking up with her four-month pregnant belly.
But the fortune teller did not see her.
A very gentle young monk came out to speak on behalf of the fortune teller, "The fortune teller said, he told you before, every cloud has a silver lining."
After saying that, he bowed and left.
Charlotte watched him leave, and only when his figure disappeared did she slowly walk down the mountain.
Later, Patrick would tell her news every day. Frederick had flown to several countries within a week. Charlotte would look at his footprints and occasionally zone out.
Half a month later, she saw Frederick on the TV news. He had won an international case.
Outside the Supreme Court in Budapest, Frederick was surrounded by countless reporters.
He was wearing a classic black and white suit, slightly raising his chin during the interview, looking spirited, charming, and noble!
Charlotte watched that segment countless times, feeling conflicted.
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