Chapter 334 Do You Still Love Me (Part 2)
When he woke up, the first thing he saw was Charlotte's face.
She was squatting by the couch, tucking a blanket around Lola's tiny feet.
She probably figured out his secret last night, and her eyes had a different look, but Charlotte was still sweet and caring. "Why'd you crash in the study with Lola?"
Frederick took a while to answer, his voice all raspy. "Didn't wanna wake you."
They both knew the real deal.
Charlotte didn't push it, just patted Lola's head and said, "I'll whip up some breakfast."
She got up to leave, but he grabbed her arm. Frederick's voice was barely a whisper. "Charlotte, I wanna eat your cooking too."
Charlotte looked a bit surprised, then smiled and said okay.
She walked away, her back slim and graceful. She seemed to know what he was up to.
But if he didn't say it, she wouldn't offer any sexual advances.
But if he did, would she?
While Charlotte was making breakfast, Frederick walked in. He was all dressed up and smelled nice as he got closer.
He leaned in for a good morning kiss.
He kissed her softly behind her ear, his voice low and rough. "Did you hear it last night?"
Charlotte was momentarily thrown off.
She wanted to push him away, but Frederick held her waist with one hand.
Their bodies were so close, she could almost feel his excitement. She couldn't help but think, 'Didn't he take care of himself last night? Wasn't that enough?'
"In a bit, we gotta take Lola to school, and you should head to the office," Charlotte said.
He still wouldn't let her go, saying in a low voice, "You're making excuses again! Charlotte, you love using these excuses to brush me off, don't you? You don't care about anything of mine anymore, do you? Including Brenda's letter, including my body, and you never call when I'm out socializing."
He finally asked, "Charlotte, do you still love me?"
Charlotte was momentarily stunned.
Because after they patched things up, he treated her really well and never asked for anything.
Now, he was asking for love.
A lot of things in this world could be achieved by effort, but love at their age was a luxury. She still remembered how she once longed for his love.
Now it was his turn to be unsatisfied.
Charlotte gently stroked his handsome face, well-defined and warm to the touch.
She was content with their current life.
She thought he was too, but she didn't expect him to be so persistent.
Charlotte smiled faintly. "Yes, of course. I love you."
Frederick stared at her for a long time, then softly said, "I asked Cherie to clear a month for me. Let's take a family trip across the country."
Charlotte frowned. "But Lola has classes. She can't miss her piano lessons. And Kingsley is too young."
She said a lot, but didn't give a straight answer.
Frederick's gaze darkened.
She hadn't thought about traveling with him, had she? Besides their normal life, she had no expectations of being with him, did she?
She didn't love him!
Frederick just looked at her quietly.
After a long time, he said, "Charlotte, let's see a therapist!"
He thought either he was sick, or she had psychological issues.
Charlotte refused. She turned around to continue making breakfast, her voice soft. "Frederick, aren't we doing well now? Lots of couples live like this."
Frederick didn't hug her again.
He stood behind her, his voice hoarse. "It's different."
He had seen Charlotte's passion for "Frederick," but to him, she was just like those couples who respected each other like guests.
After so many months, Frederick finally admitted that he hadn't truly won her over.
Because of his persistence, Charlotte remained as gentle and considerate as ever, playing the role of a good wife and mother. Of course, she also tried to satisfy him in bed.
But Frederick found that Charlotte had lost her feelings.
Often, he was passionate, but she was not aroused. She just went along with it.
This was particularly frustrating for a man.
He could no longer bring her joy.
He didn't dare to force her, nor did he dare to ask her to fulfill her marital duties. What used to be twice a week gradually became an occasional once a month.
Life was bland and dull, but fortunately, the kids were healthy.
Frederick knew that Charlotte had psychological issues, but she was unwilling to seek treatment.
He treated her even better.
He was very afraid that one day she would leave him because of this dullness.
So, the class reunion got pushed back a month for some reason, and by the time it happened, it was almost October.
Charlotte was out shopping with Chloe.
Chloe had become a pretty famous ad model, making good money. She'd moved out of Hawkins Mansion with Gavin, which totally surprised Charlotte.
She had no clue about Chloe's obsession.
Because some guy had said he admired independent women, Chloe took it to heart.
After shopping, they were beat and grabbed some coffee.
Lily showed up too, which was a nice surprise.
Lily looked Charlotte up and down, pinching her cheek. "What have you been eating? You don't seem to age at all, and your skin's looking amazing. Is it 'cause Frederick's taking good care of you?"
Charlotte didn't talk much about her marriage these days. She just smiled.
Lily brought up the class reunion and sighed. "Feels like it's been forever since the last one, Charlotte. Wonder what everyone's like now!"
Lily mentioned some folks she knew about.
"Remember Tina? She hooked up with some boss and finally married him. She's pretty proud of it now. Ethan's still single!"
Charlotte just listened quietly.
Chloe stayed quiet too.
Ethan felt like a stranger now, like he was never part of their lives.
After coffee, Chloe had to bounce for something, and Lily had to pick up her kid.
Lola's kindergarten had an event, so Charlotte decided to wander around a bit more. This class reunion hit her hard because it was the night of a previous reunion that she and Frederick first got close.
Women never forgot their first time.
Thinking about the past, she suddenly wanted to run away.
She called Frederick and asked him to pick up Lola, saying she had something to handle.
On the phone, Frederick was silent for a moment.
Finally, he said okay!
Charlotte didn't take the driver; she walked slowly down the street. She remembered that two blocks away was the apartment where they used to live together.
The sky was getting dark.
Under the city lights, she saw the Ferris wheel; it was still there.
She stood quietly, her eyes getting misty.
At night, she opened the door to the apartment.
Everything was the same, except for the piano that had been moved out. It was just like before. Charlotte sat quietly inside, only daring to ask herself in the dead of night.
Was it true? Did she not love Frederick?
No matter how good he was to her, she stubbornly wore her old wedding ring and refused to take it off.
She was also unwilling to start anew with him!
Her heart was stuck in the past, rejecting the present Frederick. Did she only see him as a tool to piece together her life, not as a husband?
Was she really like this?
Late at night, she still sat motionless in the apartment.
Maybe she was too tired and needed rest. Here, she didn't need to play the role of a good wife and mother. She just needed to let out her emotions and think about the past.
In the darkness, Charlotte cried silently.
The door opened gently, and a beam of light came in.
She looked up slightly and saw Frederick standing at the door, holding a plastic bag. She didn't know what was inside, but she smelled the aroma of food.
Frederick's voice was gentle and calm. "The kids are all asleep. Lola will watch over Kingsley, and there are servants at home, so we'll stay here tonight."
Charlotte looked at him quietly.
Frederick wanted to turn on the light, but Charlotte said softly, "Don't turn on the light!"
She didn't want to look too disheveled in front of him.
Frederick closed the door and walked towards her in the dim light. He put the things down and then gently hugged her, whispering, "Charlotte, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry!"
He had neglected her.
When she gave birth to Lola, she had postpartum depression.
Later, when she gave birth to Kingsley, he made her angry again.
Everyone thought she was strong, and she also thought they were mending their relationship after reconciling. But no one knew that Charlotte was actually ill. The more they hurried to repair their relationship, the worse her condition became. Finally, she realized it herself one day.
Frederick held her as she cried, feeling sad but gentle. "Don't be afraid, I'm here with you. Let's see a doctor tomorrow, okay?"
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