Charlotte glanced at Vivian, then turned to Sean, her voice calm and flat.
“If I told you she’s lying, would you believe me?”
Sean froze for a second, caught off guard. He didn’t answer right away.
Charlotte let out a soft, self–deprecating laugh.
Why had she even asked something so stupid?
Of course he would choose Vivian–the girl who had grown up with him, not the fiancée he hadn’t seen in three years and barely had a relationship with.
Anyone would know the answer to that.
But then Sean looked her in the eye and, without hesitation, said, “I believe you.”
Charlotte’s breath caught in her throat.
She stared at him, unsure if she had heard right.
He believed her?
Then what about Vivian?
Charlotte saw her face go ghost white in an instant.
“Sean! She’s making things up! How could you believe her over me?”
“Enough.” Sean’s eyes turned sharp, his voice cold as ice. “From the moment you met Lottie, you’ve had this strange hostility toward her. The second you claimed she kicked the horse behind your back, I knew you were lying.”
His expression darkened, frosted over with disapproval.
“Lottie’s not that kind of person. I know her. And you said it yourself she’s never done anything to you. So tell me, why would she want to hurt you?”
Charlotte stood quietly, eyes fixed on Sean.
Her heart felt like a tangled mess of emotions.
Why was he standing up for her like this? Why was he choosing to believe her, no questions asked?
She had been so sure–sq sure that when it came down to it, Sean would always pick Vivian.
But now, her nose stung, and her eyes welled up with something she couldn’t name.
Sean’s gaze returned to Vivian, as cold as ice.
“Vivian, don’t forget–you’re a Xander, not a Jasper. Don’t take the title of ‘adopted daughter‘ and think it gives you free rein.”
Vivian’s face turned even paler.
Her lips parted, trembling, but she couldn’t get a word out.
Tears streamed silently down her face.
Sean didn’t stay. “Get some rest. I’m leaving.”
He turned and walked out without another word.
Charlotte stood at the foot of the bed and looked at Vivian, who was sobbing uncontrollably.
With a sigh, she said quietly, “Was all this really worth it?”
Outside the hospital, in the open–air parking lot, Sean walked beside Charlotte, his voice full of remorse.
“Lottie… I’m sorry.”
Chapter 48
+25 Bonus
She glanced at him. “Why are you apologizing to me?”
“It’s my family’s fault we didn’t raise her right,” he said, letting out a long sigh. “I still don’t understand why she’d do something like that. But don’t worry–I’ll get to the bottom of it.”
Charlotte gave a soft laugh.
“No need. I already know why.”
Sean frowned. “You do?”
She looked at him, lips curling slightly.
“Sean, don’t tell me you really haven’t noticed how Vivian feels about you?”
He blinked. “What are you talking about?”
“She did this… because of you,” Charlotte said slowly. “She sees me as a threat. That’s why she tried to turn you against me.”
Sean fell silent, brows furrowed in thought.
Charlotte turned and walked ahead.
He caught up. “Lottie, wait.”
She pulled open the car door and slid into the driver’s seat. Sean got into the passenger side.
As he fastened his seatbelt, he said, “I understand now. I’ll keep my distance from her from now on.”
Charlotte froze mid–motion. “Why?”
“Because you said she likes me,” Sean replied plainly. “I never realized it before. To me, she was always just a sister. But now that I know, it’s only right to draw a clear line.”
He looked over at her, his voice gentle but firm.
“Lottie, I want to make sure you feel safe with me.”
Charlotte stared straight ahead.
“That’s not what I meant. I meant–why did you believe me? Vivian grew up with you. Shouldn’t you have trusted her more than me? Why did you choose me?”
Sean held her gaze, warmth in his eyes.
“Because I already said… you’re not someone who’d do that.”
“That’s it?” she asked quietly. “Just because of that?”
The streetlight outside cast a soft, golden glow into the car.
Sean’s eyes were full of tenderness.
“And because I love you,” he said, each word steady and certain. “And love means trusting without conditions.”
Charlotte’s heart gave a sharp, uncontrollable flutter.
She turned away in a panic, cheeks flushed, completely at a loss for words.
