Chapter 4
Charlotte rushed into Andrew's study and pulled out a diary from his desk drawer. She flipped to the first page.
[Charlotte's dad cheated and abandoned her. What a bastard. If I ever get the chance to be with Charlotte, I swear I'll never betray her, never have eyes for anyone else, and treat her like she's my whole world.]
Reading those words, Charlotte couldn't hold back anymore. Her tears spilled out.
Andrew had been keeping this diary since he was eighteen. The pages, yellowed and curling at the edges, held every moment of their story.
From the day they first met to falling in love, and all the way to walking down the aisle together. Even the tiniest quirks and habits of Charlotte's daily life were carefully recorded.
As she turned the pages, the words, filled with so much love, stabbed at Charlotte's heart like arrows.
[Charlotte said yes to me. From now on, she's my whole world.]
[Charlotte loves sweet things and can't stand sour or bitter flavors. I need to learn how to cook so I can make her the best desserts in the world.]
[Charlotte gets cold easily. I have to remember to run her a warm foot bath every night.]
[Charlotte loves counting stars at night. When we get married, our bedroom has to have a skylight, so I can lie beside her and watch the stars together.]
[I'm so in love with Charlotte. I swear I'll never let her be sad, never let her down. Charlotte, I love you with all my heart.]
Charlotte used to believe that when a person truly loved someone, they couldn't hide it. But now, reading these words overflowing with devotion, she realized they'd all become the cruelest lies.
Tears fell uncontrollably, soaking the paper. Her hands trembled as she ripped the diary apart, then watched those words of "love" turn to ashes in the flames.
Just as she was about to leave the study, her eyes were drawn to a delicate box on the desk.
Before she knew it, Charlotte picked up the box and opened it. Inside was a perfectly preserved photo.
The girl in the photo, smiling brightly and flashing a peace sign at the camera, was a young Nina full of youth and vitality.
On the back of the photo, in elegant handwriting, were the words: [Andrew, I love you. I'll always be waiting for you.]
The date written there was exactly one month after she and Andrew got married.
Charlotte felt the world spin out of control. Her knees nearly buckled beneath her.
So the betrayal started way back then.
All those years of love and memories were just a well-orchestrated scam.
While she was choking down those bitter medicines day after day, Andrew was dreaming about having a child with Nina.
She hated herself for being so blind, for falling for the lie all these years.
Numbly stumbling back to her bedroom, Charlotte spotted her phone. Nina had just posted something on social media.
In the photo, there was a whole feast laid out on the table. Nina sat smiling at the camera, while a man's hand was feeding her tenderly.
The caption said: [Just because I'm pregnant, my husband won't let me do anything tiring. He's so protective. Guess that's just how much he loves me.]
Right after, Charlotte was bombarded with a string of messages from Nina, all filled with lovey-dovey pics of her and Andrew together.
The last one was a project pitch for an amusement park called "Nina's Castle," complete with a note and a photo of Nina snuggled up on Andrew's chest.
[Men, huh? Wherever the sex is, that's where their so-called love goes. Honestly, I just feel sorry for you, Charlotte. Just wanted to rub it in a little.]
[Don't overthink it, Charlotte. By the way, can you tell me what those herbal contraceptive soups taste like? Are they as bitter as everyone says?]
Charlotte saved every message, blocked Nina's number, and drifted off to sleep, numb and exhausted.
Early the next morning, Charlotte opened her eyes to find Andrew kneeling by her bedside, looking utterly remorseful.
"Charlotte, I'm really sorry. I never meant to break my word. I took the earliest flight just to get back to you. Please, forgive me," Andrew said, his voice desperate.
Charlotte just stared at him, completely stunned, unable to get a single word out.
No one would've thought that Andrew, the proud and confident CEO of Grant Group, would drop to his knees, begging for her forgiveness without a second thought.
Back then, women everywhere envied her. Having a man like Andrew, the CEO of Grant Group, willing to kneel and beg just to win her back.
It was supposed to be the stuff of fairytales. But now, Charlotte only wished she'd never met him at all.
Charlotte looked him straight in the eye. "Andrew, I just want you to promise me three things."
She finally spoke, her tone chillingly steady.
Andrew nodded instantly. "If you'll forgive me, Charlotte, I'll do anything. Three things, thirty things, just say the word."
Charlotte sat up, her voice steady and deliberate. "Tomorrow's my birthday. I want a grand party at the biggest hotel in Maple City. I'll invite whoever I want."
"Of course," Andrew replied without hesitation.
"And I want a ton of money. I want 30 million," Charlotte said, her voice steady and unwavering.
"No problem," Andrew agreed instantly, not even hesitating.
When it came to the third thing, Charlotte lowered her gaze, meeting his eyes directly.
"And I want a huge projector and a massive screen. On my birthday, I want to see them there," she said, her voice calm but unyielding.
Andrew nodded, curiosity getting the better of him. "So, Charlotte, what are you going to show on them?"
Charlotte gave an enigmatic smile, her lips barely curving.
"It's a secret surprise. You'll find out tomorrow," she replied.