From a Wrong Turn to Mr. Right novel Chapter 353

“I gotta say, Mom, you’re looking really good lately.”

Charlotte Carter glanced at Margaret George, her tone light and casual, just as any daughter might chat with her mother over Sunday brunch.

Margaret didn’t even blink at the compliment. She stared at Charlotte, her eyes full of disappointment, her voice suddenly steely. “Do you even see me as your mother anymore?”

Charlotte paused, caught off guard, but recovered quickly. “What are you talking about, Mom? Of course you’re my mother. Ever since you brought me home all those years ago, you’ve been the only mom I’ve ever had.”

Her voice was steady, not a hint of guilt.

Margaret, if anything, looked even more disappointed, her gaze turning icy cold. “If I’m really your mother, why would you hurt Ethan?”

“Mom, what are you saying?” Charlotte’s face was all confusion. “How exactly did I hurt Ethan? Did you come all the way here just to accuse me?”

“So you admit it’s an accusation,” Margaret snapped, anger sharpening her words. “Don’t bother playing innocent. You know I wouldn’t show up without proof.”

At that, Charlotte’s confused look faded. The careful expression she wore crumbled away, replaced by a cold sort of resignation, like she’d known this was coming.

Silence. The kind of silence that turns the air heavy.

Margaret’s eyes glistened. “I thought you’d grown up. I really did. But now? You hurt Ethan, and because of you, Olivia went into early labor and Ethan ended up in a car crash. Do you have any idea how close we came to losing both of them?”

A flicker of something dark passed through Charlotte’s eyes. Of course she knew. She’d made sure to keep tabs after slipping the drugs. Things hadn’t gone exactly as she planned, but Ethan’s accident, Olivia’s premature delivery—she’d watched the whole family scramble at the hospital. Seeing Adelina Lane falling apart had given her a twisted sense of satisfaction.

She just hadn’t expected them to confront her so soon—and in person, with Margaret and Lance Carter both here.

Her face showed no sign of regret. Margaret shut her eyes, exhaustion etched deep in every line of her face.

“I raised you since you were a little girl,” Margaret said, voice trembling with fatigue. “I thought I did a decent job. But you turned out so selfish, so cold. I can’t even recognize you anymore.”

“Mom, I—”

Margaret cut her off. “When you were little and acted out, I thought you’d grow out of it. I forgave you, every time. I thought you’d learn. But instead, you’ve only gotten worse. You’re ruthless—even to your own family. You’ve broken my heart, Charlotte.”

Margaret’s breathing turned ragged, her shoulders slumping as if she’d aged a decade in a minute.

Lance Carter stepped forward, worry etched on his face, gently rubbing her back.

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