honort
Charlotte felt a flutter of excitement, but suddenly her head began to spin
The dizziness intensified, and the room seemed to tilt around her.
“Charlotte?” Zarek leaned forward with concern, lightly touching her face.
Thud-
Her head began to fall toward the table.
Zarek quickly skipped his hand beneath, catching her before impact.
He paused for a moment, then lifted her face, realizing she had lost consciousness.
She’d been running on fumes since her arrival, t
ad, then exhausted her remaining energy confronting Victor. Now that the crisis had passed, her body
simply gave out.
With her eyes closed, she felt herself falling into someone’s arms. The comforting sandalwood scent made her want to surrender completely, to shed her armor and allow herself to be vulnerable for once.
But then a familiar voice that made her heart rate reached her ears: “Charlotte, baby. ”
No, no, no–it had to be a hallucination
Aterrible hallucination.
3:00 AM.
Lisbon’s premier percate hospital.
The room was equipped like a bury suite.
Charlotte Jay sleeping in the bed, an IV drip attached to her arm.
Across the room on a set of cream colored sofas, Zarek and Issa sat at opposite ends, tension crackling between them. Olivia was curled up in an armchair behind. Zarek, alternating between vacant stares and forlorn glances in his direction
Hex, unable to stomach the atmosphere, had escaped the roses on some pretest
India Forbidden Pa
What a night it had been…………
According to hospital staff, when Ma Whamore had fainted, the CEO had carried her out with Ms. Waldorf in pursuit. In the corridor, they’d
encountered Mr. Wood, who had immediately tried to take his wide from the Coriarmu
The scene mild have been straight out of a soap opera,
“Charlotte only applied to work for you to get back at
withdrawing her from the position,” Fear stated coldly, his tone imperio
“Her personal life doesn’t concern me. If she wants to reden, she can tell me herself,” Zarek repled with clinical pole
The subtext was clear. You have no autheray over her decisions
He crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and leaned back, effectively dismissing the conversations.
Issac seethed with barely contained fary.
He stared at Zarek, radiating hostility
The image of Charlotte chatching Zarek’s clothes when he’d tried to take her haunted him, triggering a primal sense of danger. He wanted nothing more than to drag her back to New York immediately.
Ordinary rivals wouldn’t concern him, but this was Zarek Weasley!
He needed to separate them. Now
7:00 AM.
Charlotte anvoke
Morning light streamed through the floor–to–ceiling windows, bright and pure, washing away the night’s darkness.
She turned her head.
“Charlotte, you’re awake!”
Charlotte stared in shock as Issac rose from the sofa and rushed toward her.. This had to be a nightmare
Issac, oblivious to her thoughts, reached the bedside and touched her forehead.
Having 1
just woken up, Charlotte’s reactions were sluggish. She tried to dodge but was too slow
The band on her forehead made her skin crawl.
Those same
same hands had touched Evelyn disgusting like being touched by something contaminated….
“What are you doing here? You should have the divorce papers by now,” she said coldly, pushing his hand away.
Chapter 61
“Tin getting
Charlotte’s words cut through t
- like a knife–nu warmth, no hesitati
The coldness in her tone wounded Issac visibly, but instead of anger, he dropped in one knee beside her hospital bed, his expression desperate “Baby, I screwed up – I know that, just give me one more chance to make this right. I swear is God, Ell never do anything like this again.”
His voice cracked with emotion, eyes glistening
Charlotte remained moved, her expression glacial. “Don’t bother changing. You were just following your heart, weren’t you? You’ve spent six- months living your best life with her–so keep at it. I’m stepping aside “
Issac’s face comforted wall pain the grabbed her hand, pressing it to his im so sorry. I deserve whatever you throw at me. It wasn’t what you think with Evelyn. 1 never waisted a future with her. You’re the only one I’ve ever truly loved….”
“Just stop.” Charlotte yanked her hand away. A
anymore. We’re done. The divorce is happening “
tent of male in her throat, but she swallowed them back. “Tis, none of this matters
“You don’t get to decide that alone! I already tore up those papers!” Issac’s eyes flashed dangerously, his exerred slipping
Charlotte studied him silently for several seconds. “Tine. If we can’t settle this like adults. I’ll see you in court.”
“Are you really throwing away everything we built? Forgive me past this once–I’m begging you I leaned forward desperately, trying to embrace her. “I can’t inse you.”
“What the bell
hell? Get off me? Don’t touch mo! Charlotte smacked him with her pillow,
Trom across the room. Zarek sat up on the sofa, the blanket sliding from his shoulders.
He rubbed his temples. “Rea, water”
Rex, who had been pretending to sleep, jumped up and grabbed a bottle from the mini–fridge.
Both men had been unwilling audiences to this relationship drama since dawn.
By the hospital bed, Charlote and Issac freze mid–action
Charlotte’s eyes widened in shock“.
Oh God, please tell me that wasn’t Zarek’s voice!! Anyone but him!!
A flash of irritation crossed Issacre
But with an audience present, he couldn’t continue his emotional display. He stood, his tone shifting to casual tenderness. “Honey, you must be starving. I had someone pick up that Pancake Combo from that place you love. I’ll grab it.”
From desperate confession to acting like nothing had happened.. the man could pivot on a dime,
Charlotte ignored him completely.
As Issac walked away, she caught sight of Zarek sitting on the sofa
Heat rushed to her face.
Hot boss was truly her most dedicated divorce spectator.. not missing a single episode of her marital drama.
Zarek took the water from Rex, drank il methodically, then stood and walked out without a single glance in her direction
Rex followed immediately.
Charlotte’s eyes unconsciously tracked Zarek’s tall figure, wondering what he might be thinking….
“Your breakfast”
Chapter 61
A cold voice supped her attention back as her view wows blocked
Issae stood by the bed bobling a white ceramic loved, his expression fronty
Charlotte stared blankly f
for a moment. “Þost leave it. I eat later.”
That’s really not necessary.
“What, would you rather have Wendey feed you
Charlotte lanked at him like he’d lost his mael. ““People with diery minds see dirt everywhere.”
Seeing her denial, Issac expression softened slightly. “Quil working for him, and hell there’s nothing going on
Charlotte just shook her head. “Then don’t believe me
Like she needed his approval.
Issac’s face darkened. “Are you that desperate to work for him? To be his little secretary?”
“Yes, absolutely.” Charlotte confirmed without hesitation.
“You’re only getting close to Weasley to piss me off, to get revenge!” Issac looked like he’d cracked some complex code
He was convinced she still loved him deep down Zarek was just a prop in her revenge scheme. But even as a prop, Zarek was dangerous–pro enough time, who could guarantee she wouldn’t develop real feelings!
Charlotte gave a cold laugh, unwilling to waste energy arguing She sat up and took the bowl from his hands. Thank you for the hospital visit, Mr. Wood. You can leave now
Mr. Wood?
Isar didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. In all their years together, she had never addressed him so formally,
He sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m not going anywhere. We’re still married. I have an obligation to take care of my wife.”
Charlotte thought: I wish I could have him disappeared
She couldn’t force him out, and physical confrontation wasn’t an option. Her only choice was to ignore him completely–treat him like he was invisible.
She set the bowl on the nightstand, then worried he might try to force–feed her knowing him, he was absolutely capable of such behavior.
She reluctantly took the bowl back. Better to just ear it
An hour later
Zarek returned from outside,
With him were Rex and Olivia
Charlotte hadn’t realized Olivia had stayed overnight too, having just stepped out for breakfast.
Of course, Olivia hadn’t stayed out of concern for Charlotte, nor from any sense of guilt. She had simply followed Zarek, keeping tabs on him.
“Miss Whitmore, I’m truly sorry about last night,” Olivia said, her voice carefully modulated. “I misjudged the situation completely and be Mr. Ferreira Domanipulate me. I was wrong to doubt you. I hope you can forgive me.”
Two people asking for forgiveness in one morning.
Charlotte felt both awkward and slightly amused.
She understood perfectly that Olivia’s words were meant for Zarek’s ears, hoping to earn his forgiveness and put the matter behind them.
nina the Forbidden Past.
She smiled diplomatically. “There’s no need to talk about burgiveness. Given the circumstance anyone could have been maded. The Mame falls on Mr. Ferreira for his convincing act, fun on you for trusting him?
Her graceful response gave Olivia a perfect way to save face.
A masterful exchange that covered all huser
Zarek smiled inwardly. She knows how to handle people.
Issac’s heart soured. She’ll smooth things over with a woman she barely knows but won’t give me the time of day
“Thank you for being sa understanding, olivia said with relief, her eyes carefully seeking Zark’s “The been thinking–perhaps I shouldn’t continue in my position here.”
Zarek didn’t acknowledge her, deliberately ignoring the hint beneath her words.
His gaze remained measured as he focused in Charlotte. “You did good work, but don’t take risk that again. I don’t pay you enough to put your life on the line. I’ll handle the fallout–you focus on recovering.
Charlotte nodded. “Got it.”
Meeting his eyes, she suddenly felt self–conscious and shifted her attention to Rex. “Sorry about the next three days of scheduled activaties. You’ll have to pick up my slack.”
“Don’t even worry about it, Charlotte! This was totally my fault. I never should have let you go to that factory alone. If something had happened- Rex’s gut–ridden rambling cut short as he felt Issac’s murderous glare boring into him.
Issac’s expression telegraphed a clear warning: “Charlotte“? Getting a hit too familiar, aren’t we?
Rex promptly shat his mouth
He had zero interest in becoming a casualty.
“My wife’s injuries are too severe,” Issac stated coldly. “Recovery will take significant time. She won’t be able to handle secretarial duties. Mr. Weasley, you should find someone else.”
What “severe injuries“? How dare he make decisions for her?
Charlotte was about to object when Olivia quickly jumped in: “Since her husband has spoken, let’s not push the matter. Zarek, I can return to headquarters and serve as your secretary lintead.”
