Chapter 27
If it weren’t for Mrs. Coleman, Charlotte wasn’t sure she would have made it through.
To her, Mrs. Coleman wasn’t just a caretaker, she was family.
Even though Charlotte had cut off contact with Desmond over the past three years, she still called Mrs. Coleman on holidays to check in…
Remembering something, Charlotte pulled out a beautifully wrapped box and handed it over. “This is raw honey from Harbor City. It’s famous for its quality. You should try it.”
Mrs. Coleman took it with a warm smile. “I’ll drizzle some over your breakfast tomorrow.”
“No.” Charlotte shook her head. “This is for you. I’ve had plenty already. I just wanted you to have some.
this—”
Mrs. Coleman’s eyes widened, waving her hands. “Oh, Miss Charlotte, I can’t possibly accept this
Charlotte pushed the box into her arms. “Please, just take it. You’ve done so much for me all these years. This is just a small token of my appreciation.
Mrs. Coleman’s eyes turned misty. “Miss Charlotte…”
Before she could say more, an excited, high–pitched voice cut in. “Charlotte! Charlotte, you’re home!”
A little girl came running up, throwing her arms around Charlotte’s legs.
“I missed you so much!” She beamed up at her, eyes sparkling with joy.
It was Jodie Riley, her eight–year–old half–sister.
Jodie had always adored her, but Charlotte had never warmed up to the child.
It wasn’t Jodie’s fault. Charlotte just couldn’t stand her mother.
Still, Jodie was just a kid. She was sweet, innocent, and eager to be close to her big sister. So while Charlotte didn’t particularly like her, she didn’t hate her either.
Looking down at her, she asked, “Why are you home so early?”
“Mrs. Coleman said you were back, and I couldn’t wait to see you, so we left school early!”
A woman’s voice followed. “That’s right.”
Charlotte stiffened.
Xena York, her stepmother, approached with a bright smile.
Before Charlotte left home, she had made her dislike for Xena painfully obvious. She barely spoke to her then, and that hadn’t changed now.
Her resentment wasn’t just because Xena had married her father. It was because Xena had been her mother’s best friend.
To Charlotte, she wasn’t just a homewrecker, she was a backstabbing opportunist.
And Desmond? He was just pathetic. A man who couldn’t even keep his hands off his late wife’s best friend:
Her teenage years had been filled with dellance and rebellion, all because of these two.
But Kena acted as if nothing had happened, her voice warm and pleasant. “You must be tired, Charlotte. Get some rest. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”
Jodie clung to Charlotte’s ann. “Come play in my room! I drew you a picture. You have to see it!”
Oarlotte pulled away, her voice cool. “No. I need to rest.”
Jodie’s excitement dimmed. She pouted, disappointment all over her little face. “Oh… okay.”
Xena took her hand. “Don’t bother your sister.”
Mrs. Coleman looked a little awkward on the side. “Mrs. Juley, Miss Charlotte, I’ll go buy groceries now.”
After Mrs. Coleman lett, Kena and Jodie followed suit.
Charlotte closed her bedroom door.
Finally, prace.
That evening, Desmond returned.
The whole family sat down for dinner.
Desmond glanced at Charlotte and spoke first. “You should’ve told me you were coming home today.”
Charlotte shrugged. “Would it have made a difference?”
The tension in her voice was obvious.
Desmond frowned. “It’s been three years. Why do you still have such a sharp tongue?”
Charlotte smiled faintly, her voice laced with sarcasm. “It’s been three years. Why haven’t you i
divorced Xena?
