Chapter 485

Anthony just stood there, frozen, the color draining from his face. He didn’t move or say a word for the longest time.
She said the old Charlotte wasn’t good enough.
The words cut into him, sharp and deep, spreading pain through his chest.
She was good. She had always been good.
“Lottie, I’m sorry.” Anthony reached out and held her face, his hands gentle and careful. He couldn’t stop seeing all those moments she’d been hurt. Guilt made his voice rough. “I should have taken you away back then… but I didn’t
If he had, none of the terrible things that happened after would have ever touched her. She wouldn’t have been left in the countryside for five years.
“So you drank all that just because you didn’t take me with you?” Charlotte pressed closer, curling into his arms. Their bodies fit together perfectly, the space between them warm and safe. She looked at him with soft eyes. “What happened back then wasn’t your fault.”
“If I were you, seeing me like that, I probably would have thought I was sick, too. I wouldn’t have just taken me away.” Her voice was quiet, almost whispering. She dipped her head and kissed his forehead, gentle and comforting. “You said you’d come see me, and once they heard that, they never laid a finger on me again. It’s just
“What is it?”
Anthony’s hand tightened around her waist, holding her like he might lose her. “It’s just that I waited for you, but you never came. That’s the part I regret.” Her words trailed off, the memory clear in her eyes.
She really had waited, day after day, hoping he’d show up.
In the end, it was Steven who came. He took her straight from the hospital to the countryside.
With every word, Anthony felt his guilt grow heavier, crushing down on him until he could barely breathe.
“I never blamed you. I never held it against you.”
But he still looked so down, his face dark with regret. Charlotte reached up and pinched his chin, her voice gentle. “If you really feel that bad, then just treat me better from now on.”
He could do that. He would give her everything if she asked.
“Lottie Anthony brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, his fingers lingering. “I’ll make sure those
people pay he said on
“No one will ever hurt you again.” His words were a vow. He leaned in, pouring all his warmth and love into her. “Life has cracks. That’s how the light gets in. Lottie, you’ve always been good.”
Light.
He really was her light.
Charlotte felt her heart squeeze tight. She looked up at him, her arms slipping around his neck, and kissed him back.
They’d been together for a while now. They’d been close before, but he’d always held back.
This time…
Her lip caught between his teeth, a sharp little pain that made her flinch and frown. “Sorry.”
Her soft gasp snapped Anthony out of it. He pulled away, breathless, his eyes burning. “Give me a minute.”
He couldn’t trust himself right now.
He let her go and hurried into the bathroom, almost stumbling as he went.
Once he
slow breath and looked around. Her
gone, Charlotte took a
eyes landed on
S passport sitting
on the desk
She picked it up and flipped it open, stopping at his birthday.
June 18.
A little over a month away.
Thinking about him just now, Charlotte’s lips curled slightly. Deep down, she made a quiet promise to herself.