Chapter 5
Twenty minutes later, someone knocked on the hospital room door. "Edward, I got the pastries from Magnolia."
Charlotte and Edward both turned to look.
It was Diana. She held a bakery bag in her hand, and her pale face showed fresh scrapes, making her look even more fragile than usual.
Edward's expression changed instantly, and he asked almost reflexively, "What happened to your face? And I told Charles to bring this over—why are you here?"
Diana glanced at Charlotte and bit her lower lip. "Your assistant had a family emergency and couldn't make it. I was worried Charlotte would be waiting, so I ran over, but I tripped and fell."
She held out the pastry bag as she spoke. "Don't worry though, Charlotte. The pastries inside are fine."
Edward's face stayed hard.
Charlotte lay in the hospital bed, watching them perform their little show.
Diana walked over with a concerned look on her face. "Charlotte, how are you feeling? Are you okay?"
"I'll live."
Both Diana's and Edward's expressions shifted.
Diana pulled a slice of cheesecake from the bag and brought it toward Charlotte's lips. "Charlotte, you're hurt, so don't move. Let me feed you. The cheesecake's still warm."
Magnolia Bakery's cheesecake was Charlotte's favorite.
But right now, it just made her sick. When Diana brought it closer, she turned her head away.
"Charlotte." Tears instantly welled up in Diana's eyes. "You don't like what I bought?"
Seeing her look so wounded, Edward frowned, and his tone carried apparent displeasure. "Charlotte, Diana came all this way to see you and went out of her way to buy you pastries. What's with the attitude?"
In all the time she'd known him, Edward had never spoken harshly to her. It was the first time—and it was for another woman.
A flash of triumph crossed Diana's eyes, but she quickly grabbed Edward's arm, her voice breaking. "Edward, don't be hard on Charlotte. She's hurt, so of course she's upset. I shouldn't be here bothering her. Why don't you take me home and let Charlotte rest?"
Seeing Diana's tearful face, Edward's tone softened. "Alright, I'll take you back."
He didn't even look at Charlotte in the bed before walking out with Diana.
Charlotte's heart had gone numb a long time ago, and honestly, she felt relieved that both of them were gone. At least now she could have some peace.
She pushed back the covers and forced herself out of bed, ignoring the sharp pain shooting through her legs as she made her way to the bathroom.
As she passed the lounge, she heard soft sounds coming from inside.
She walked closer and peered in. Edward was cleaning the cuts on Diana's face, his movements careful and precise.
"Ouch. Edward, be gentle. That hurts," Diana whimpered, her voice dripping with practiced sweetness.
Edward's touch softened immediately, and his tone turned indulgent. "Just hold on a little longer. If I don't clean it properly, it could get infected."
But Diana suddenly grabbed his hand and pressed it against her chest. "It really hurts though," she pouted.
Edward's whole body went rigid, and his fingers clenched around the cotton swab, but he didn't pull his hand away.
"Edward," Diana leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm sorry I was so clumsy. I know you should be taking care of Charlotte right now. You're not mad at me, are you?"
Something dark flickered in Edward's eyes, and he tried to pull back, but Diana held his hand firmly in place.
He stopped resisting. His gaze locked on Diana, and his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. "Your injuries are more serious anyway."
Charlotte's knuckles went white as she gripped the doorframe, and her fingers trembled from how hard she was holding on.
Inside the lounge, Edward's hand was still pressed against Diana's chest, right where Diana had put it.
His words felt like poisoned ice picks stabbing into her heart, one after another.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to stay calm.
She didn't burst in to confront them. Instead, she quietly pulled out her phone, switched it to recording mode, and held it up to the crack in the door.
"Edward." Diana's voice dripped with sweetness, laced with triumphant amusement.
"Look, Charlotte's been getting worse and worse with me lately. Do you think she's figured something out?"
"She hasn't." Edward's voice came out low and certain. "She trusts me too much."
"But I don't want to keep doing this." Diana's wheedling tone made Charlotte's stomach turn. "I want to take her place. I want to stand beside you without hiding anymore."
A few seconds of silence passed. Then Edward's voice softened, like he was coaxing a child. "Just wait a little longer. She's still useful to us."
"How much longer?"
"Soon. Once we secure the Monroe family's project, I'll tell her everything."
Charlotte's eyes widened. So it wasn't just about the affair.
He'd been using her for business, too.
She bit down hard on her lower lip and forced herself to stay silent. Her phone stayed pressed firmly against the crack in the door, recording every single word.
"Then promise me something." Diana's voice took on a threatening edge. "The second you get that project, you'll divorce her. Otherwise, I'm telling Mom and Dad about us."
"Diana." Edward's voice came out sharp, but then it softened. "You know you're the only one in my heart."
"Then prove it to me."
Rustling sounds followed, mixed with breathy sighs that left little to the imagination.
Charlotte finished recording and backed away quietly.