Chapter <b>145 </b>
<b>“</b>Bend down,” Charlotte pouted, her lips pursed. “I can’t reach.”
Obediently, Sean leaned down, bringing his lips close to hers, practically offering them to her.
The usuallyposed, almost untouchable Sean who was always so confident and proud, had never bowed his head to anyone.
But for Charlotte, he did so willingly.
Charlotte wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in, giving him a light kiss.
With people walking by, she felt too shy to make it more than a quick<b>, </b>gentle peck. She <b>was </b>about to pull away when Sean’s hand gently cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss<b>. </b>
Her eyes widened in surprise, and she struggled slightly before he finally let her go.
Her cheeks burned bright red. Charlotte cleared her throat with an awkward little cough.
“Ahem… There are people around. Save it forter.”
Sean smiled, his eyes warm, his mood clearly lifted.
<b>“</b>Sure.<b>” </b>
Charlotte tumed her head, still blushing, but her smile suddenly froze and disappeared.
A cold wind swept through, and soft snowkes began to fall once more.
Standing by the inn’s entrance, partially veiled by the swirling snow, was Zac.
Sean noticed too. The warmth in his eyes disappeared, reced by a sharp, chilling coldness.
Taking Charlotte’s hand, he led her straight toward Zac<b>. </b>
Zac stood motionless <b>by </b>the inn’s doorway, watching them approach, hand in hand. Snowkes drifted <b>down</b><b>, </bnding on his tan overcoat<b>, </b>melting instantly. For a moment, the scene felt frozen in time, like a winter afternoon captured in a single<b>, </b>still photograph.
Memories flooded Zac’s mind. He remembered Charlotte’s bright smile<b>, </b>her cheerful <b>voice</b><b>, </b>the <b>way </b>she used to cling to his arm<b>, </b>begging him to take her <b>to </b>this very town. She had always dreamed of seeing the snow–capped mountains and staying at the charming<b>, </b>old–fashioned inn.
But what had he said back <b>then</b><b>? </b>
He couldn’t quite remember<b>. </b>
Ai! he knew was that he had brushed her off, making up some excuse. Her smile had faded, <b>reced </b>by quiet disappointment.
He had known she was upset, but he hadn’t bothered tofort her or change his mind. <b>To </b>him<b>, </b><b>it </b>had seemed like nothing more than <b>a </b>passing whim<b>–</b>something that didn’t really matter.
Back then, she <b>was </b>just someone he was casually seeing. Nothing more.
But <b>now</b>, here he <b>was</b><b>, </b>and she <b>wasn’t </b>by his side.
Zac’s jaw clenched, a dull ache spreading in his chest, a suffocating weight pressing down on him.
Sean and Charlotte stopped right in front of him.
A faint<b>, </b>mocking smile tugged at the corner of Sean’s lips.
“Well, <b>isn’t </b>this <b>a </b>coincidence<b>? </b>No <b>matter </b>where we go, we seem to run into you.”
Zac’s lips tightened<b>, </b><b>his </b>jaw tense. He didn’t even spare Sean <b>a </b><b>nce</b>, his gaze locked on Charlotte. His <b>eyes </b>were filled with a desperate, pleading light.
“Lottie. I’m here. I came like you wanted.”
Charlotte’s expression remained cold.
“I don’t know <b>what </b><b>you’re </b>talking about. We never made any ns.”
A flicker <b>of </b>pain crossed Zac’s face.
“Two years ago, you told me you wanted toe here. I didn’t have time then, but I’m here now.”
“<b>Late </b>affection is cheaper than dirt,” Charlotte replied, her tone calm but cutting
<b>“</b>And those who fake it are even cheaper.”
“Lottie…” Regret <b>and </b>anguish twisted in Zac’s <b>eyes</b>.
“Please, just give me another chance. I can make it right.”
Sean chuckled, the sound cold andced with
“Another chance? Do you even deserve one?”
Charlotte’s expression grew even colder.
“Zac, the more you cling to me, the more I find you pathetic.”
Zac’s voice wavered, his pride shattered, his tone pleading.
“Then tell me… what would it take for you to look back at me?”
Charlotte’s gaze met his<b>, </b>her voice steady and clear.
<b>“</b>Never. Not in this lifetime.”
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