Rosemary ignored Tricia's feeble attempt to defend herself, letting out a cold snort. "Who else should I blame, if not you? Six years apart, and your shamelessness hasn't changed a bit."
Humiliated, Tricia's face drained of color.
Evander's brow furrowed. "Grandmother, please stay out of this—it's between me and her. And stop taking it out on her."
He scooped Tricia up in his arms, not sparing Charlotte a single glance, and carried her away.
Rosemary watched the scene unfold, heaving a long, weary sigh. She turned to Charlotte, who stood there dripping wet. "Seems the Howard family owes you an apology now."
"It's all right," Charlotte replied with a bitter smile.
The divorce was inevitable anyway.
Whatever Evander thought of her, it wouldn't change her decision.
She started to get up, but Miranda, for once, stepped forward to help her. "Mom, I'll take her downstairs to get changed."
Rosemary nodded.
…
Upstairs in the bedroom.
Charlotte changed into dry clothes and stepped out of the closet, expecting Miranda to be gone. To her surprise, she was still there.
Charlotte approached her. "Mom, I'm finished changing. I'll head home now."
Miranda straightened her collar for her. Charlotte, startled by the gesture, stood still as Miranda spoke in a calm, almost gentle voice. "Now you know what it feels like to be married to a man who doesn't love you. But you're still young. You still have choices."
Charlotte froze, half-convinced she'd misheard.
Miranda hardly ever spoke to her beyond what was strictly necessary between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law—let alone say anything heartfelt.
"Mom, did you just—?"
"I'm just saying what's obvious. You saw how Evander treats you," Miranda replied, her tone uncharacteristically candid. "I don't like you, but I'll never accept Tricia either. I just think you're too young to tie yourself down to one man for life. If I were your age again, I wouldn't…"
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