Chapter 278 Do You Love Me
After he said his piece, he dropped his head and finally did what he'd been itching to do since yesterday.
For the first time in front of Charlotte, he just let loose!
Afterwards, he collapsed on her shoulder, breathing hard.
Charlotte, head over heels for him, was kinda dazed and confused. She wrapped her arms around his strong waist and couldn't help but softly ask, "Frederick, do you even like me a little bit?"
Frederick kept kissing her.
He liked her body; it was so soft and warm.
He whispered in her ear, gently coaxing, "Don't you think our life right now is pretty sweet?"
Charlotte tilted her head to kiss his chin.
In that vibe, she was ready to spill her feelings. She whispered, "I don't know, Frederick. I think I'm not satisfied."
All she wanted was simple; just his love.
Even if he never got his memory back, as long as he loved her, that'd be enough.
Maybe 'cause they had a kid, their relationship got a bit better.
Frederick would swing by the hospital every day to see the baby.
When Charlotte was discharged, he brought Lola to pick her up and loaded her up with gifts, mostly jewelry that women dig.
At night, he'd even get up to take care of the baby.
Even Charlotte herself felt like he kinda liked her, and their marriage was getting solid.
She was a happy woman.
Happiness was all over her face.
On Kingsley's one-month birthday, they didn't throw a big bash, but Frederick came home late from working overtime, around nine.
He brought gifts for Charlotte and held Kingsley for a long time.
In the dead of winter, Charlotte sat by the villa's fireplace, grinning with happiness.
The next day was the weekend, and Charlotte got a phone call.
It was Cherie, inviting her to a coffee shop.
Charlotte held the phone, feeling a bit dazed.
She knew Cherie, who was super proper and cautious. If it wasn't something big, Cherie would never ask her out.
In the end, Charlotte went out.
In the coffee shop, Cherie was already there. Seeing Charlotte, she softly called out, "Charlotte."
Charlotte sat across from her.
She ordered a glass of lemon water, took a couple of sips, and then softly asked, "Is it about Frederick?"
Cherie pursed her lips.
Charlotte had a rough idea and smiled faintly. "Is it about a woman?"
Cherie gently placed a photo on the coffee table, her voice low. "Charlotte, if it weren't for special circumstances, I would never tell you this now."
Charlotte picked up the photo, her originally fair face losing its color. It was unbelievable!
She looked just like her, like the 22-year-old, pure and untainted Katherine. Cherie's voice was a bit raspy. "This chick's name is Brenda Bell. She's 22, a broke college student our firm’s been sponsoring for a few years. Last month, Mr. Hawkins brought her in for an internship."
Last month. That was when she was giving birth!
Charlotte's fingers clenched tight.
Cherie said firmly, "Mr. Hawkins definitely isn't messing around with her, but I get this vibe from her; Her eyes betrayed her greed."
Charlotte lowered her eyes and gave a faint smile. "She must know who she looks like."
After saying that, she stood up and smiled at Cherie. "If Frederick gives you any trouble because of this, come to me."
Without waiting for Cherie's response, she walked out alone.
She came in proud and fiery.
But now, she felt cold all over!
So the happiness of these days was just what she thought was happiness.
Charlotte got back to the villa.
Dana said eagerly, "Frederick called and said he'd be home late tonight. He told you to have dinner first."
Charlotte nodded. "Okay."
She slowly went upstairs but suddenly stopped halfway up the stairs. "Please come up and help me pack those gifts Frederick gave me recently. Pack them up and put them by the door!"
Dana was terrified.
At nine o'clock, Frederick came back on time and saw a pile of stuff at the door.
"Where did these come from?" he asked.
Dana, with a stiff face, said, "These are the gifts you gave Charlotte recently. Charlotte said to get rid of them."
Frederick frowned and walked upstairs slowly.
Charlotte was in the master bedroom, sitting at the vanity, putting on makeup.
She used to like light makeup, but now she had on quite a glamorous look, wearing a tight black dress and dripping in expensive jewelry.
Frederick came in and glanced around. "Where are Lola and Kingsley?"
Charlotte met his gaze in the mirror.
After a long pause, she slowly parted her red lips and said leisurely, "I talked it over with your parents, and they’re taking care of them for now."
Frederick walked up to her.
She stood up, seductively reached out to cling to his shoulders, and whispered, "From now on, I'll have more time to take care of you, honey."
A photo was gently slipped into his breast pocket.
Charlotte's slender fingers thoughtfully adjusted it and gave it a light pat.
Frederick looked into her eyes and pulled out the photo.
It was the new intern at the firm, Brenda.
He walked to the end of the bed, sat down, loosened his tie slightly, and smiled faintly. "Is it just for this? It's just an intern. Is it worth all this drama?"
"Just an intern?" Charlotte slowly walked over, bent down, and whispered, "Frederick, you've crossed my line. Do you really think I have no temper?"
Frederick chuckled and touched her delicate face.
Charlotte wasn't having any of his cocky behavior and tried to dodge him, but he was quick, grabbing her slender waist and caressing her provocatively.
"Really? And what about you? Do you love me? When we're getting it on, you call out 'Frederick.' Are you calling me, or the guy in your memories? Charlotte, I'm just a stand-in. Which one of us is more noble?"
Charlotte's heart ached.
She lowered her eyes and sneered. "Frederick, you've said all this just 'cause you don't wanna fire her. Let me ask you, are you keeping an intern, or holding onto some regret from your youth? Frederick, you sleep with me, enjoy all the perks of marriage, and yet you keep her around. Are you trying to disgust me?"
Charlotte picked up the photo.
She tore it to pieces right in front of Frederick.
Frederick leaned back, his eyes somewhat clear, like he'd never seen Charlotte like this before.
After a long pause, he smiled lightly, "So I married a fierce woman."
With that, he reached out and pulled her, causing Charlotte to fall onto him.
The physical contact created a subtle atmosphere.
Charlotte lowered her eyes slightly and coldly said, "I haven't even reached 42 days postpartum. Are you really this despicable?"
Frederick had the intention to make love to her.
Hearing this, he felt somewhat disinterested.
Of course, once they truly tore off their masks, there was nothing left to hide. He didn't need to pretend anymore.
He gently pinched her cheek. "What can I do? I think about doing it every day since I met you."
Charlotte pushed him away, stood up, smoothed her clothes, and left the room.
That night, she didn't return to the master bedroom.
Frederick knew she slept in the guest room, maybe reminiscing about that "Frederick" in the study.
Yeah, their marriage had problems.
She loved her husband.
As for him, he had no memory of her. They had been together for more than half a year, and he had tried, but he could never find a feeling similar to love.
Frederick thought that if he loved her, he would fulfill her request tonight.
But he didn't love her; they were just a couple with different dreams, and now they didn't even need to pretend.
Frederick felt relieved.
He thought marriage should be simpler, like raising kids together, or turning off the lights and having sex a few times on weekends.
Talking about feelings was exhausting.
But he soon realized that Charlotte wasn't just throwing a tantrum; she was serious.
When he came home from social events, she was mostly not there.
Dana said she was staying at Hawkins Mansion and taking care of the two kids.
Even when she was home, she wouldn't easily sleep in the same bed with him.
A week later, Frederick was sitting quietly at the office, his long middle finger supporting his chin.
After wrapping up the business talk, Cherie smiled. "Tomorrow's Saturday, Mr. Hawkins. Have a great weekend."
Frederick snapped back to reality and forced a smile.
Cherie was about to suggest some ways to improve their marital relationship when the office door was gently pushed open. A slender figure walked in from outside, very young and clean-looking—it was the intern, Brenda.
Frederick frowned.
Cherie asked, "Do you need something?"
Brenda raised the small cake box in her hand, looking a bit shy. "Mr. Hawkins, today is my birthday. I made this cake myself and wanted to share it with you."
Frederick glanced at Cherie.
Cherie took it and placed it on the desk. "That's very thoughtful of you."
But Brenda didn't leave. She bit her lip, looking pitiful. "Actually, some colleagues are throwing me a birthday party. Mr. Hawkins, Cherie, I'd like to invite you both."
Cherie cursed inwardly, 'Bitch.'
Frederick directly refused, "Sorry. And don't enter my office without permission next time."
She did have a face like Katherine's, and she was clearly trying to mess around with him.
But Frederick had never had any desire for Katherine, let alone this young girl. He just felt a bit sentimental seeing someone who looked so much like her. He only hoped that a girl who resembled her so much would walk the right path.
Even though Charlotte was so furious with him, he still didn't fire her.
Frederick's refusal left Brenda humiliated. She was on the verge of tears. "Mr. Hawkins, I didn't mean anything by it."
"Get out."
Brenda covered her face and left, closing the door behind her.
Frederick closed the file and said softly, "Didn't you mention the weekend? Order a bouquet for me."
He was going to pick up Charlotte.
Cherie smiled and agreed.
Charlotte had been busy with fitness and yoga lately.
Lily heard it was very effective and came over to join. After less than half an hour, she was exhausted, watching Charlotte still calm and composed, feeling both envious and jealous. "Charlotte, you're so persistent."
Charlotte completed another set of exercises.
The fitness coach tactfully left.
Charlotte took some skincare lotion and gently applied it to her waist, self-mockingly saying, "A woman who's given birth to two children has to work hard to stay in shape. How else can she compete with young girls?"
Lily disagreed.
Charlotte's figure was perfect, with curves in all the right places.
Ordinary young girls couldn't compare.
She playfully touched Charlotte's waist, just as Jenna came in and softly said, "Ms. Russell, there's a young girl who wants to see you."
Charlotte asked calmly, "Did she say anything?"
"She said she is Miss Bell."
Charlotte slowly wiped her sweat with a towel and then softly said, "Let her in."
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