Chapter 466

The party was finally over. Charlotte was bundled up in Anthony’s big coat, tucked into his side, looking so tiny next to him. Her lips were almost unnaturally red, her eyes lowered as she let him hold her close.
“Grandma, we’re heading home,” Anthony said.
“Take care on the road.” Patricia squeezed Charlotte’s hand, clearly not ready to let her go. But she knew Charlotte had school tomorrow, so she reluctantly let go. “Lottie, come visit me whenever you can. And if Anthony ever gives you a hard time, tell me. I’ll put him in his place.”
Charlotte nodded sweetly.
While Patricia chatted with Lottie, Lavinia pulled Anthony aside.
“So… you and her Lavinia was wearing Matthew’s jacket, arms crossed, looking awkward as she fumbled for the right words.
“Mom, just ask whatever you want,” Anthony said. He leaned back against the wall, his eyes drifting over to Charlotte, a soft smile on his lips.
“Alright, I’ll just say it.” Lavinia’s tone turned serious. “How far have you and Lottie gone?”
Anthony looked over, his gaze cool and steady. “What do you mean, how far?”
“Don’t act clueless.” Lavinia lowered her voice, clearly frustrated. “Anthony, Lottie’s still so young. And you’ve never told us about her family. I don’t want Charlotte following you around with nothing official between you.”
“It’s not the right time to talk about her family. But trust me, Lottie is more than a match for me,” Anthony said quietly, a hint of pride in his voice. “And as for the rest, I know my limits.”
Lavinia rolled her eyes.
“You’d better.” She softened a little. “Your grandmother loves Charlotte, and your dad and are happy with hertoo since that’s the case, maybe we should start thinking about your wedding gifts.”
The next morning, everything went on as usual. Charlotte got up, had breakfast, and Anthony drove her to school.
There were only thirty days left until finals, and the classroom felt tense. Everyone was hunched over their desks, deep in their practice papers. The pressure was thick in the air.
Except for Charlotte, who was happily munching on snacks.
“Charlotte, did you finish your homework?” Andrew asked, looking up from his desk in disbelief. He was frantically writing with three pensat once, trying to copy vocabulary words He’d stayed out too late the night before and ended up waking at three-thirty just to get his work done. He looked exhausted.
“Yeah,” Charlotte answered, sounding relaxed, not even trying to hide it. “My boyfriend did it for me.”
Andrew just stared.
Shirley stared.
Parrish stared.
Charlotte spaced out in class, got her boyfriend to do her homework, and still managed to score perfect marks on every exam. All three of them stopped writing and just
stared the
six eyes full of envy and,
resignation.

Charlotte caught their looks and smiled, the corner of her mouth lifting in a quiet,
amused way.