Chapter 29: Weren't You the One Who Liked Me the Most?
Charlotte headed upstairs. As she reached the second floor, she glanced back down. Frederick's car was still parked there, looking completely out of place in front of the old apartment building. This wasn't the kind of place someone like Frederick should be visiting.
She thought Mr. Hawkins should be at some high-society gala. Everything that had happened tonight felt like a fleeting moment, destined to be forgotten after a good night's sleep. With a quick pivot, she hurried up the stairs, eager to leave the night behind.
Frederick watched the light come on in the top-floor apartment before finally driving away. He had no idea that a black sports car had been parked in the shadows, its owner waiting for over two hours.
Ethan had been waiting downstairs for as long as Frederick and Charlotte had cuddled together in the car. Dressed in all black, Ethan emerged from his car, his dark attire accentuating his striking features. Leaning against the vehicle, he lit a cigarette, the wisps of smoke vanishing swiftly into the night.
He had seen everything. Ethan let out a mocking laugh. So, in just this short time, Charlotte had fallen for Frederick? Wasn't she supposed to like him best?
Ethan stared at the light in the upstairs apartment and made a call. "You can start now."
He hung up with a cold smile. "Charlotte, you brought this on yourself."
Charlotte had just turned on the lights at home when Maria came out of the bedroom in her pajamas. "Why so late?" Maria asked reproachfully.
Charlotte poured herself a glass of water, bit her lip, and decided not to explain. "I missed the last bus, so I got home late."
Maria looked at her for a long moment. "I'll heat some food for you."
Charlotte had a feeling Maria knew something but didn't want to explain. After all, there was nothing between her and Frederick, and there never would be.
A little while later, Maria brought out a bowl of pasta and set it on the table, calling Charlotte over to eat. Charlotte was indeed hungry and whispered, "Thanks, Maria."
Maria sat across from her, resting her chin on her hand and watching her. Charlotte felt uncomfortable under her gaze. "What's up, Maria?"
Maria seemed to have been holding something in for a long time. "Frederick brought you home, didn't he? Are you still in touch with him?"
Charlotte nodded. "We just happened to meet. We probably won't see each other again."
Maria looked a bit disappointed. Partly for William, but also for Charlotte. Charlotte's four-year relationship with Ethan had ended in betrayal, and Maria had hoped Charlotte would find someone better than Ethan.
Charlotte understood Maria's thoughts. She gently squeezed her hand and said, "Mr. Hawkins and Ethan will be family in the future. There's no way we can be together."
Maria sighed softly, "But he shouldn't have taken you out and not fed you. You still smell like smoke."
Charlotte, who was drinking water, choked and felt incredibly awkward.
Back in her room, Charlotte took a shower and lay in bed, unable to sleep. She thought about Maria's attitude and realized that Maria had come to terms with her father's two-year prison sentence.
Charlotte felt a pang of sadness. She had contemplated seeking revenge on Ethan but realized she couldn't. Besides, she had to take care of Maria, who had never suffered in her life.
Tossing and turning, Charlotte couldn't fall asleep. At four in the morning, her phone suddenly rang. She thought it was spam and was about to delete it when she saw it was a message from Frederick.
[Still awake?] He also had sent a photo taken from the terrace of his upscale apartment, overlooking the most bustling street in Syeattel. A wine glass sat on the railing, its transparent surface reflecting the city lights.
Charlotte felt a slight flutter in her heart.
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