I know you can’t forgive..
Luther' POV
I looked at my brother and his new wife on the dance floor. Their arms were around each other as they moved in sync with the slow music. A mix of emotions stirred inside me, making my thoughts feel all over the place. The other guests were busy enjoying the food and drinks, but I had no appetite. Instead, I glanced around the large hotel rooftop, my eyes searching for Charlotte.
Since she had gone into my cabin with Mateo, I had not seen her or Gavin. But I knew they had driven together, shortly after we arrived.
“She is somewhere around with Gavin,” Mateo said beside me, handing me a small plate with a piece of chocolate cake. He knew the news would only make things worse for me, but he said it anyway, casually.
“I do not want to talk about them,” I replied quietly, closing my eyes in an effort to block the thoughts.
“She is giving him a piece of her mind,” he added, which immediately caught my attention.
“Why? I thought they were enjoying themselves.”
“That ended a few minutes ago. She overheard him on the phone, talking about her to someone else,” Mateo said. I did not even have to look at him to know he found the whole thing entertaining.
“What did he say?” I asked, even though I had just claimed I did not want to talk about them.
“He was telling someone that he was stuck at a cheap wedding with a cheap, naive girl. He also said she was your step-niece and that he could not wait to sleep with her just to get back at you, then leave her, like she was nothing but a toy.”
My grip on the edge of the table tightened. My shoulders went stiff with anger.
“I am sure he was talking to his disgrace of a father,” I said through clenched teeth. “I will kill him.”
I started to rise from my seat, but Mateo placed a hand on my shoulder, keeping me still.
“No. Do not go there. At least now Charlotte knows you were not lying. Let her handle it, and she will come to you.”
I shook my head. I could only imagine how hurt she must be feeling.
“What if…”
“No what-ifs, Luther. You warned her, but she did not believe you. Sit and wait. She will come looking for you.”
Just as he finished speaking, Charlotte walked in. Her head was down, and she avoided looking at the guests. But when she glanced at her mother, who was resting her head on Stanley’s shoulder with her eyes shut, Charlotte managed a small smile.
“What did you say to her inside the cabin? You seem very sure about how this will go,” I asked Mateo, my eyes fixed on Charlotte. Seeing her alone, with no man by her side, brought a strange comfort to me.
“I told her the truth,” Mateo said, lifting his wine glass for a sip.
“What do you mean, Mateo? What truth?” I asked, placing my folded fingers on the table.
“The part you never told her about what really happened between you and Brittany.”
“You what?” I raised my voice, blinking quickly.
“You were not going to tell her, and I could not stand by and watch you go through the same pain you went through seven years ago. So I told the only person who could stop it from happening,” Mateo said.
My vision blurred with anger, and I clenched my fists. The only thing that kept me from hitting him was the years of friendship between us.
“You had no right, Mateo!” I shouted. My voice caught in my throat the moment I saw Charlotte on the other side of the round table. Her eyes were swollen and red, the soft makeup she had worn earlier now completely gone. Her red nose told me everything, I knew she had been crying.
“You will thank me after you both sort things out,” Mateo said, trying to be clever.
“Shut the fu…”
“Can I please have a word with you?” Charlotte cut in. Her voice was thick and nasal from crying.
Mateo nudged me with his elbow, lifting his glass again like he had done nothing wrong.
“Fine,” I muttered, standing up stiffly. It felt like something pulled me to my feet before I even made the decision. Saying no to her had never been easy, especially not after what I had just learned and how broken she looked.
We walked away together, and just before we left, I noticed my brother giving me a thumbs-up. The rest of the guests would soon join the dance, but part of me hoped I would be able to dance with Charlotte instead.
“Do you have somewhere in mind?” I asked, pretending to stay calm, even though my heart was racing.
“Um… the lift?” she said, looking unsure as she gave a small wave to Kate, who was standing by the staircase with Loveth. They, too, seemed to have their own problems.
“How about we just go to my room?” I suggested, holding my breath as she paused. I had booked a room the moment I found out the reception would be here. It was supposed to be my escape plan, in case things got too much. I knew it sounded weak, but I wanted to protect my heart—even if it meant hiding.
“You booked a room already?” she asked as we walked towards the lift.
“I did not want to drive home after the reception. I thought I might be too tired,” I lied, hoping she would not see through me. I was the head of my own company, yet around her, I felt powerless. She had this way of making me feel small, like I was the one still learning.
“Oh,” was all she said as we stepped into the lift. I pressed the button for the sixth floor, then started tapping my foot nervously. The silence between us was heavy. I kept wondering what she was going to say once we were alone.
Soon, we reached the room. I used the key card and let us in.
“I am sorry.” The words came out of her mouth the second the door shut behind us.
I stopped where I stood, unsure if I should hold her or stay back. The last time I tried to touch her, she had slapped my hands away. So I stayed where I was.
“I was stupid. I was careless. I did not even let you finish your story. I just jumped to conclusions without thinking.” Her voice cracked as she buried her face in her trembling hands. Her shoulders moved as she cried.
“You told me I would come back to you crying once I found out the truth.” Her voice was broken, but I could still understand every word.
“What are you talking about?” I wasn’t entirely sure what truth Mateo had told her.
“I’m so sorry, Luther. I know it’s hard to forgive me for accusing you when you were just looking out for me. I’m sorry for calling you a liar when you were only trying to open up about your cruel past. I’m sorry for leaving you when you needed me the most.” She paused, sniffling. “I swear I am fucking sor-sorry.”
“I shouldn’t have told you about my past, so it’s okay.” I didn’t know what else to say. I was just frozen in place.
“No, I should have listened. Now I know why you were treating me the way you did. I can’t believe I didn’t guard your heart from the same pain it went through. God, I am such a fool.” She chastised herself with those last words.
“When I saw the photo of you on that hospital bed, I just…” she trailed off, hiccuping while I closed my eyes.
“Mateo,” I muttered, dragging my hands down my face. Now I knew exactly what truth he had told her. I didn’t want to believe he had revealed everything.
“He..he made me see where you are coming from, babe.” I stepped forward, closing the space between us the moment her last word reached my ears. I couldn’t control my thoughts or my body. I couldn’t watch her cry another second.
“I know you can’t forgive..”
The rest of her words vanished when I placed my hand behind her head and leaned in, capturing her trembling lips with mine.
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