Chapter 409 Ethan's Greatest Regret
Charlotte was feeling kinda down.
She couldn't tell if it was 'cause of Lily or the long-gone Ethan.
Finally, she blurted out, "Alright! I'll go!"
Outta nowhere, Frederick was totally against it.
Charlotte hopped in the car and got his call. Frederick sounded kinda freaked out and went straight to the point, "I heard you're heading to the police station."
Charlotte glanced at Jared sitting up front. "Did Jared spill the beans?"
Jared looked super uneasy.
On the other end, Frederick's tone softened. "It's not that I don't want you to go! But you're pregnant. What if she freaks out the baby? It's a girl, you know!"
Charlotte chuckled. She knew Frederick was just worried about her.
She asked softly, "Wanna come with me? I got a prenatal checkup this afternoon. We could grab lunch after, Frederick. It's been ages since we had a date."
In the president's office of Vertex Innovations Group, Frederick loosened his tie with his index finger.
Such a simple move, yet he looked ridiculously handsome.
He smiled slightly. "I'd be honored!"
The company was closer, so they got there almost at the same time.
Another car door opened, and out came Bradley and Lily. Lily's nose was red from crying.
Charlotte said gently, "Why the tears? Haven't you been waiting for this day forever?"
Lily nodded, her voice all nasally.
Just as they were about to head in together, another car pulled up. Turning around, they saw it was Robert.
Robert jumped out of the car.
He looked at Lily with a super complicated expression.
Tina was dying, but he was still alone. His family kept bugging him, and there were women around, but he never took the plunge into marriage.
He still kept the villa where he and Lily had lived.
Sometimes, he'd go there.
Lying on the bed with his eyes closed, pretending he and Lily were still together.
But he couldn't fool himself.
Lily had divorced him and found happiness with Bradley.
Seeing him, Lily got a bit emotional.
After all, all the pain in her life was brought by Tina and Robert. Even after all these years, she couldn't help but hate them.
Robert smiled bitterly.
Tina had pulled some strings, and three people could go visit her!
It was Tina's specific request to see Robert, Lily, and Charlotte.
"Don't worry!" Robert said. "I'll take good care of Charlotte."
The meeting room was small and plain.
But at the end of her life, Tina didn't care about that stuff. She sat quietly, her hands and feet shackled.
Tina seemed like a different person.
All her spirit was gone, and her eyes had lost their sparkle! When Charlotte and the others came in, Tina's eyes showed a bit of emotion. "You're here."
Lily couldn't hold back. "Are you here to repent or beg for mercy? Let me tell you, it's too late!"
Tina lowered her eyes, hiding her expression. "Repent? Why would I repent to you? Would it make any difference?"
Lily was so mad she wanted to hit her. Even on her deathbed, Tina was still so stubborn.
Tina suddenly laughed. She was in a wretched state, and her laugh was quite eerie.
Robert felt a chill.
He and Tina had a very unpleasant history, but now that she was leaving, he wanted to ask her something. With Lily present, it was a good time to get a clear answer.
Robert asked, trying to keep his voice steady, "Tina, did you ever actually care about me, or was it all about the money?"
Tina laughed. "Robert, you think you have money? Sure, I wanted to lock you down, but only 'cause Ethan didn't give me a shot! And honestly, the best part was watching Lily's heart break! If I couldn't have it, no one could!"
Robert was floored.
So, Tina's reason for messing with him was that simple.
He asked, his voice cracking, "You never liked me?"
Tina stared him down. "Never!"
Robert felt a sharp pain in his chest.
He had thrown away his love and marriage with Lily for someone like her.
Robert looked at Lily.
He hoped to see something in her eyes.
But Lily was just stunned. Finally, she murmured, "So that's how it is!"
She smiled, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.
She spoke softly, "Tina, I don't blame you anymore! I'm really happy now!"
Bradley treated her well, and their kid was pure and lovely.
She was genuinely happy!
Robert felt a deep ache in his heart. He looked at Lily, wanting to say something, but the words wouldn't come.
Tina felt a bit of satisfaction.
"That's good!"
She looked at Charlotte. "You haven't said a word. What? Scared I'll mess with you again?"
Charlotte smiled calmly. "There's nothing to say!"
Like Lily, when Tina started spewing nonsense, she felt there was nothing worth arguing about.
She was about to die!
Suddenly, Charlotte didn't want to stay there another second, so she held her belly and slowly walked out.
At the door, Tina called out to her from behind. "Charlotte!"
Charlotte stopped but didn't turn around.
Tina's voice suddenly became shrill. "Don't you have any regrets? Ethan truly loved you! He just didn't know it. You were in love for four years; isn't that a pity? Don't you think of him in the middle of the night?"
Charlotte felt a metallic taste in her throat.
She suppressed her voice and said, "Ethan's real regret wasn't me!"
It was Chloe.
Clearly, he could have had happiness, but he didn't realize it.
Charlotte knew how wonderful Chloe was.
Tina didn't get it, but Charlotte wasn't about to explain. She didn't want to tell Chloe either.
Chloe living simply was enough!
As she walked out, the sunlight was blinding, and the trees beside her were sprouting new buds.
Frederick was standing by the car, chatting with Bradley, a cigarette between his long fingers, taking occasional puffs.
Seeing her come out, he immediately put out the cigarette. "You're out so soon?"
He wrapped a scarf around her, and Charlotte held his hand, saying softly, "Once inside, I realized there was nothing to say!"
At that moment, Lily and Robert also came out.
Bradley went up to hug Lily because her eyes were red.
Robert looked at the loving couples, feeling a deep pain.
He tried hard to hold back, softly said sorry to Lily, and walked towards his car.
As he left, his eyes felt hot.
Lily leaned against Bradley's chest, watching Robert's back.
They had loved and hurt each other. She thought with Tina's death, the past should also be let go.
"Robert!" she called out. "I don't blame you either!"
Robert held the car door handle for a long time without moving. After a while, he responded with a hum.
The car started and slowly drove away.
They finally let go of their grudges and didn't need to have any more interactions.
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