Chapter 514

That night, Charlotte slept better than she had in ages. When she woke up, sunlight spilling into the room, she felt completely at ease, her mind clear and rested. She stretched, then glanced at the empty side of the bed. The space was cold. A frown creased her brow, and a wave of disappointment washed over her. Her phone sat on the nightstand, but Anthony was nowhere in sight.
Just as she started to feel a little down, the door swung open. Anthony stepped in, dressed sharply in a suit, carrying a tray of breakfast that smelled absolutely amazing. His eyes were warm and gentle as he looked at her.
“You’re up?”
The second she saw him, her mood shifted. The gloom faded, replaced by a soft, shy smile.
“What are you thinking about?” Anthony teased as he set the tray down and
perched on the edge of the bed. He leaned in close, his face just inches from hers, and gave her nose a quick, playful squeeze. He laughed, and it was that low, easy sound she was starting to crave.
Charlotte realized she was getting used to having him around. Maybe too used to it. It hadn’t even been that long, but already, she missed him the moment he left the room.
“Nothing,” she muttered, her gaze lingering on him before sliding over to the steaming bowl of porridge.
“Hungry?” Anthony asked, giving her cheek a gentle pinch. He picked up the bowl and spoon. “Let me.”
“My right hand is fine She started to protest, out of habit, but then caught the look
in his eyes. He was enjoying this, and maybe she was, too. So she gave in, pretending to be helpless. “Alright, fine.”
She settled back against the pillows, letting herself be spoiled.
Anthony grinned and fed her, spoon by spoon, with patient care until her stomach was full and happy.
“Are you going to campus today?” he asked, dabbing her mouth with a napkin, his gaze drifting to her bandaged hand.
“Not today.” Charlotte blinked, her fingers absently playing with his tie. “First, I need to deal with Melissa.”
Anthony nodded, understanding in his eyes. “Want me to help?”
She paused, still holding his tie, and her expression turned serious. “No,” she said, her voice firm and just a little cold. “I’ll handle it myself.”
There was no way she’d let Melissa get another chance to be near Anthony. Not in real life, not even in her daydreams.
“Okay.” Anthony brushed his fingers through her hair, his voice soft. “If you need anything, tell me. Once you’re done, I’ll take you to The Blair Estate for dinner.”
Charlotte could only imagine what kind of family ambush that meant. Anthony’s grandmother and mother
had been calling non stop. He no
ookedexasperated just thinking about it. They’d told him, “You don’t have to come back, but you’d better bring Lottie.”
…
At the police station, Melissa was a wreck. After a day and night behind bars, she was exhausted, both inside and out. The moment she saw her parents, she broke down, tears streaming uncontrollably.
“Dad, Mom, please, you have to help me.”
Selena took one look at her daughter’s pale, drawn face and started crying, too. “What have you done to my girl? We want bail. Right now.”
“You’ve been through a lot, Melissa her father tried to comfort her.
“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible,” a nearby officer said, his tone flat. “Ma’am, your daughter is being held for attempted murder. She doesn’t qualify for bail.”
He didn’t even bother to hide his
tel
annoyance Selena was freaking out after one night, but did she forget what happened? That crash almost killed someone. It could have hurt
even more people if Charlotte had acted fast and stopped the car. The outcome could have been so much worse.
“We have witnesses and solid
evidence. The victim has already filed a formal complaint against Melissa the officer went
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can hire a lawyer or try to get the victim’s forgiveness. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll shave off a couple years.”
But the odds of Charlotte forgiving Melissa were basically zero. Charlotte’s only
request when she pressed charges was a twenty-year sentence.