Darren’s eyes went wide, pupils shrinking in shock. “No… Charlotte, there’s no way you’d ever say something like that—”
“Mr. Harrington,” a cold voice cut in, “you act as if you know my wife so well, but in truth, you know nothing about her.”
Before anyone could react, Bradley strode through the throng, undeterred by the barrage of flashing cameras and microphones. Tall and imposing, he moved like a human shield, positioning himself firmly in front of Charlotte and blocking every malicious lens from her view.
His voice was steel. “To every member of the press who’s harassed my wife today: expect to hear from my lawyer. Each and every one of you.”
The effect was immediate. The commotion died. The camera shutters fell silent. Microphones hovered, suspended in midair, as the crowd froze in place.
Ryan rushed to Charlotte’s side, his voice trembling. “Mom, are you okay?”
Charlotte’s expression, which had been ice-cold, instantly softened at the sight of her son. She reached out, brushing his cheek with a gentle hand before lifting her gaze to Bradley. Her voice was warm, tender. “Brad.”
Just that—one word, one look—and it was enough to stab Darren’s heart like a pair of red-hot knives.
He stood rooted to the spot, watching the scene unfold: Bradley standing protectively at Charlotte’s side, Ryan clinging to her, and Charlotte looking at them both with such open trust and affection.
Darren’s breath caught in his throat.
At last, the truth hit him.
Charlotte wasn’t cold because she was waiting for him to beg for forgiveness. She wasn’t pretending, or playing games. Her love had simply vanished from his and Noah’s lives, drawn away completely.
He’d always thought her distance was a performance, a test for him to come groveling back. But now, seeing her with her family, he finally understood—it wasn’t a test. It was a final goodbye.
Lena started to object, but Bradley’s sharp glance stopped her cold. “Ms. Harrington, the family’s private matters don’t need to be paraded for everyone’s entertainment. But since you were so quick to accuse my wife of abandoning her child, maybe you should take a closer look…”
He gestured to Ryan, nestled safely in Charlotte’s arms. “This is her only son. She could never stop loving him.”


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