That man’s got kind eyes
Charlotte’s Pov
I sat on the edge of the old bench under the tree, staring at the dried leaves scattered around my feet. The silence clung to me like a second skin, heavier than I ever imagined it could be. Luther had walked away without looking back, and that image stayed with me, his shoulders stiff, his pace steady, like I had never meant anything at all.
A sharp breeze brushed my face, and only then did I realise how long I had been sitting there. I haven't cried this much in years. But now, I was not only crying for myself. For the first time, I thought about what my mother must have felt when she lost Dad, how lonely she must have been to even consider letting someone else into her life.
"Sweetheart?" My mother’s voice carried gently from the back door. I quickly wiped at my cheeks. "I will be inside soon. Just a few minutes."
She gave a small nod before returning indoors, leaving me alone again with the weight of my thoughts. Luther's words still rang in my mind. He had made it clear, whatever I had hoped for between us was never going to happen and it hurts. It cut deeper than I thought it would. I felt humiliated and foolish, but more than anything, I felt like a little girl still learning how to let go.
Taking a shaky breath, I stood and walked back inside, trying to pull myself together.
“I am sorry,” I said the moment I stepped into the living room. My mother and Stanley turned from the couch, both looking surprised. They must have been deep in conversation, but I could not keep my feelings in any longer.
“You were right, Mum,” I said softly, but firmly, before she could interrupt. “Please, just let me speak.”
I took another step forward, hands trembling at my sides. “I acted badly. I made everything about me without stopping to think about what you’ve been through. I know I have been difficult, selfish even… like a child. And that is not fair to you, or to Stanley.”
My voice cracked, and I had to stop and steady myself before I continued. “When you told me about getting married, I panicked. I thought maybe you were moving on without me. That you would not need me anymore. I was scared, Mum. Scared that I was going to lose you.”
Tears spilled over again, but this time, I let them fall. My mother stood up and wrapped her arms around me. Her touch was warm, grounding me like it always did.
“I love you, baby,” she whispered, her hands gently rubbing my back. “I will always love you. No one could ever take your place.”
She pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes with so much tenderness. “I will never forget your father. Stanley knows that. And you are my whole world, Charlotte.”
Stanley nodded with a kind smile. “She talks about you all the time, you know,” he said. “I hope one day we can really get to know each other, the right way.”
“I would like that,” I replied quietly. “And I am sorry for how I treated you, Stanley. You did not deserve that. You make my mum happy, and I should have seen that sooner.”
He stood and gave me a hug, surprising me with how natural it felt.
“It means a lot to hear you say that,” he said kindly. “We are all learning, Charlotte. No one expects perfection.”
Mum wiped her cheeks with a soft laugh. “Look at us. A family full of tears.”
I smiled for the first time that day. “I just want you to be happy, Mum. That is all.”
She nodded. “Why do you not lie down for a bit? You look like you need some rest. Later, you can call Kate and maybe even Loveth.”
“I will ring Kate now. Loveth should still be at work,” I said, heading up the stairs, feeling lighter, even if my heart still ached for someone I could not have.
*******************************
The second Kate kicked open my door without knocking, I knew she had something to say, and she never needed an invitation to say it.
“Damn. That man’s got kind eyes,” she blurted, throwing herself on the bed beside me. “Stanley, I mean.”
I shut my laptop slowly, pausing the episode of The Originals. “Yeah. He does.”
Her eyes narrowed like she was trying to read my soul. “You hated him a few days ago.”
“I was being selfish.” I picked at the blanket, trying to ignore the knot in my chest. “I didn’t want to admit he’s a good guy. He makes my mum smile like I haven’t seen in years.”
“So... you are okay with the wedding now?” she asked, her tone softer but laced with curiosity.
“I said yes, didn’t I?”
Kate rolled onto her side, resting her head on her palm. “You do not just change your mind like that. You are the queen of holding grudges.”
“People change.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Not without a reason.”
I could feel her staring at me, waiting for a crack. When I refused to say anything, she grabbed the remote and paused my show.
“I know you, Charlotte. And you are blinking too much. Your toes are fidgeting. You are lying. Spill.”
My chest tightened.
“I changed my mind because... because of someone,” I admitted, swallowing hard. “Someone who made me see things differently.”
“Who?”
I looked at her and said it before I could stop myself. “Luther.”
Kate blinked. “As in your almost step-uncle?”
“Yes. Him.”
“You... talked to him?” Her voice was louder now, her face filled with disbelief.
“I did not just talk to him, Kate.” I leaned back against the headboard. “I wanted him. Still do.”
She gaped. “Wait. You mean wanted wanted?”
I nodded slowly. Her jaw dropped. “Charlotte!”
“I know. It is crazy. But he is tall, calm, and the way he talks...” I trailed off, biting my lower lip. “He has this quiet strength. And his eyes... they do something to me.”
Kate buried her face in her hands. “How old is he?”
I sighed. “Thirty-five, maybe? I am not sure. He is about fifteen years older than me.”
She groaned. “Charlotte, this is not just a crush. This is a full-on situation.”
“It doesn't matter anymore,” I muttered. “He told me there is no chance. He walked away and made it clear he wanted nothing more.”
I looked down, blinking fast again as my throat tightened.
“Babe, he is right,” Kate said gently, taking my hand. “You are beautiful, smart, and there are literally guys on campus who drool when you walk past. You do not need this kind of heartache.”
I smiled weakly. “Thanks.”
Kate gave my hand a small squeeze. “Let us go out tonight. Loveth knows someone who can get us into that new place everyone is talking about.”
I hesitated. “We are under twenty-one.”
“Since when has that stopped us?” she smirked. “We will tell your mum we are crashing at mine. She’ll be busy playing house with her fiancé anyway.”
I rolled my eyes. “Gross.”
She laughed. “Come on, you need a break. You need to dress hot, dance a little, and remind yourself that one man’s rejection is not the end of the world.”
I sighed. “Fine. Anything to stop thinking about him for a while.”
“Now you are talking.” Kate clapped her hands. “You are wearing something from my closet. And no arguments.”
Of course, that meant a dress way too short and heels way too high. But maybe that was what I needed, a night to pretend none of it mattered.
Not Luther. Not the rejection. Not the aching in my chest. Just freedom. Even if it lasted only one night.
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