Even though Charlotte had learned the truth from <b>Joseph’s </b>men that Sean had broken up with her to protect her, that the actress in the tabloid manors was actually his cousin, and that she still meant everything to him—she never once brought up getting back together, even knowing he had risked his
Life to save her.
Because she knew they could not go back
Too much had happened.
i loved Sem, shrcould not
Jodie’s kidnapping. The scars left on both of them. Her father’s hatred for the Jasper family. Even if some small part of her still indo what had already been done.
Charlotte had assumed Sean understood this.
But now, looking at him, it was clear he still clung <b>to </b>some foolish hope.
Her chest tightened painfully.
The truth was, she could barely ept this ending herself. It was tearing her apart. But this was a dead end, and she was trapped inside it. No matter how much it broke her, there was no way out,
?fodle would never have been kidnapped. If it weren’t for him, Charlotte herself
Yes, Sean bad rescued Jodie. But the fact remained. If it weren’t for him, fr wouldn’t have been dragged into Joseph’s revenge.
She lowered her paze <b>and </b>said nothing
Sean’s throat burned. Watching her in silence was unbearable. His heart felt like it might shatter.
Atst, Charlotte’s voice,
e, rough and hoarse, broke the stillness.
“We can’t go back, Sean. There’s no way.”
Sean’s grip on her wrist tightened for a moment, then sl
slowly released.
His dark eyes were like a deep, bottomless sex, turmoil rising beneath the surface,
Charlotte refused to meet his ?. The moment be let go, she turned and fled,
Cold wind swept past. Sean stood frozen in ce, as if carved from stone. His head bowed, a single tear slipped silently down his cheek.
No one saw.
Outside, the early spring world was bursting to life, New buds sprouted on the branches, flowers bloomed, soft rain nourished the earth. Everything
thrived.
But in Sean’s world, everything had gone cold and gray, drained of color. There was nothing left but emptiness.
The moment Se heard that Jodie was suffering from trauma, he contacted the world’s top child psychologist and personally flew out to bring her to Jersey City.
When Desmond found out, he merely gave <b>a </b><b>cold</b>, mocking smile.
The doctor arrived in Jersey City and, barely adjusted to the time differerice, immediately began treatment.
When Sean brought the doctor to the Riley <b>home</b>, Xena greeted him politely, though still guarded. Desmond barely looked at him.
The doctor, a blonde woman with kind blue eyes, spoke gently
*For children, a familiar environment and tamiliar faces help with recovery. I wouldn’t rmend moving her to a hospital or facility. It’s best to tra her here at hoche. If you’re open to it, I ran stay and provide care
pave a small nod. “Of course. Please stay. And thank you.”
The doctor smiled. “You’re very wee. I want her to get better
Seen, seeing that everything was arranged, said quietly, “I’ll take my leave.”
Desmond didn’t respond. He didn’t even look at him.
Xena, however<b>, </b>said, “Thank you. Drive safe”
Sean nced at Charlotte
His eyes were full of longing, of things left unsaid.
Charlotte kept her gaze lowered
Paintwisted in Sean’s chest. He looked away and turned to leave.
Only after he had turned did Charlotte lift her eyes.
His retreating figure looked <b>so </b>atóne<b>, </b>so <b>deste</b>.
Her breath caught painfully in her throat.
And her eyes burned with unshed tears.