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Chapter 23
After parting ways with Tamia, Charlotte made one final stop at a high–end tea boutique in SoHo, selecting a beautifully packaged tin of premium Darjeeling.
Her gift collection was complete–each item carefully chosen and personally wrapped to show genuine thought and effort.[]
Butterflies swarmed her stomach. The Rhodes family was Manhattan’s version of American royalty, and Cassian’s mother maintained such a low public profile that Charlotte couldn’t dig up much intel online.[]
What if Lancey Carter turned out to be another Megan Miller–one of those women who measured people’s worth by their bank statements and family trees?
Since Cassian kept insisting on meeting Elisabeth, Charlotte figured she should probably give her grandmother fair warning.
Showing up with a surprise husband might literally give the woman a stroke.]
Elisabeth was just plating dinner when Charlotte walked through the front door. “Perfect timing, honey! Come eat while it’s hot.“[]
“Be right there, Grandma.” Charlotte quickly washed her hands and slid into her usual chair at their small kitchen table.[]
Halfway through their meal, Elisabeth gently broached the subject they’d both been avoiding. “Sweetie, everything okay with you and Jasper? You haven’t mentioned him all week.“[]
Charlotte’s fork froze halfway to her mouth. Her chest tightened, but she forced herself to say the words. “Actually, Grandma… we broke up.“[]
Elisabeth set down her water glass carefully, then exhaled slowly. “I see. Well, if it wasn’t right, then it wasn’t right. No point trying to force something that isn’t meant to be.”
Despite being in her eighties, Elisabeth’s mind was still razor–sharp.[]
She’d watched her granddaughter bend over backward for that boy for three solid years.[]
If Jasper had truly loved Charlotte, he wouldn’t have treated her like an afterthought.[]
In all that time, he’d visited maybe half a dozen times–and always seemed like he couldn’t wait to escape.
Elisabeth had bitten her tongue because Charlotte seemed happy, but she’d never been particularly impressed with the young man.[]
Maybe this breakup was actually a good thing.
“Grandma…” Charlotte’s voice wobbled slightly, tears threatening to spill. “I’m really sorry for putting you through all this drama.“[]
The understanding in her grandmother’s eyes made her heart squeeze painfully.[]
Elisabeth reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “Don’t you dare apologize, sweetheart. All I’ve ever wanted is to see you happy. That Hale boy never appreciated what he had right in front of him. You deserve someone who realizes how lucky they are.‘
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Charlotte looked down as the first tears finally escaped.[]
“You’re absolutely right. I’m done wasting my time on people who don’t value me.”
Elisabeth gently dabbed at her tears with a napkin. “No more crying over boys who don’t deserve it. You’re too gorgeous to mess up that face. Now eat+I made your favorite pot roast.”
Charlotte smiled through her tears. “Thanks, Grandma. But actually… there’s something else I need to tell you.“[]
Her voice turned cautious.
“What’s that, honey?”
Chapter 23
“I… well, I kind of got married. To someone new.“[]
Elisabeth’s spoon clattered against her bowl. For a second, she wondered if her hearing aids were malfunctioning.
“I’m sorry, what? Married? To whom?”
Charlotte nodded quickly. “I met someone incredible, Grandma. It happened really fast–like, movie–fast–but I think I’m falling for him. I want to try something completely different.“[]
It was mostly true. There was definitely something about Cassian that she couldn’t shake.[]
Elisabeth’s expression shifted to concern. “Ana, please tell me you didn’t run off and marry some stranger just to get back at Jasper. That would be…“]
“No! God, no. I genuinely like this guy. He’s been amazing to me, and he actually wants to meet you tomorrow. Would you be okay with that?“]
Charlotte had complete confidence in Cassian’s ability to win over her grandmother.
Elisabeth looked genuinely surprised. “He wants to meet me already? Well, that’s promising. Shows he has good intentions.”
So you’ll give him a chance?”
“Of course I will.“]
Relief flooded through Charlotte like warm honey.]
After they finished eating, she immediately fired off a text to Cassian with the green light.
Saturday afternoon family meeting was officially a go.
“D
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