Side Chick Era Over (Sharon and Carter) novel Chapter 401

Chapter 401

“Even me, Carter?” Kelly entered gracefully, holding a thermal flask in her hand.

Carter’s gaze darkened slightly. “Kelly, what are you doing here?”

“I heard your stomach’s been acting up again,” she said gently. “I came to bring you some medicinal food.”

Some of the chill faded from Carter’s handsome, aloof features.

“You didn’t have to go through the trouble.”

Kelly smiled faintly and opened the thermal container. “Theo mentioned that your stomach problems were always managed with Sharon’s medicinal cooking. I’ve also spent some time learning from Mr. Malcolm. He taught me the recipes and techniques.”

Her eyes shimmered with softness as she looked at him, brimming with tender affection. “Carter, from now on, I can prepare medicinal meals for both you and Theo.”

If Sharon could do it, so could she.

Kelly didn’t believe she was any less capable than Sharon.

But Carter’s gaze remained calm and deep, like a still lake. “Kelly, what matters most is that you focus on your recovery. You don’t need to concern yourself with these things.”

Kelly was taken aback and bit her lip without thinking.

Ever since Carter divorced Sharon, his attitude toward her had grown noticeably colder.

He still came when she needed him, yes-but the warmth, the favoritism he once showed, had faded.

She took a deep breath and forced a smile. “Carter, do you still remember that time in the back garden? I was practicing a piece by Star called ‘First Love’. You said you’d never heard anything so beautiful…

“I didn’t know it was your birthday that day. If I had, I would’ve played another piece just for you.”

The memory stirred something in him. His eyes flickered with emotion.

“That was before I knew you were the one who saved Nate,” he said. 1

Kelly chuckled. “Nate said he wanted me to meet his best friend. I still remember the shock when I saw you.”

Those days had been their purest and most carefree.

Even someone as guarded as Carter couldn’t hide the trace of wistfulness in his eyes.

Catching that fleeting expression, Kelly lowered her voice. “Carter, about the incident at my studio-the one with the vandalism -have you found out who was behind it?”

Carter responded calmly, “Yes. It was orchestrated by a few of your haters who paid others to do it.”

She studied his expression. “And… weren’t some of them also Sharon’s fans?”

He remained silent for a beat. “Yes.”

A faint, wordless smile curved Kelly’s lips. “Carter, do you still believe this has nothing to do with Sharon?”

His expression was unreadable, neither anger nor affection visible.

“There’s no evidence that links her to it.” 1

“But it was her fans who did it, wasn’t it?”

His dark eyes were deep and inscrutable. “Kelly, you know as well as I do-speculation isn’t proof,”

She met his gaze squarely. “So what, then? We just let the real culprit walk free?”

His throat moved in a silent swallow, but he said nothing.

Her long lashes trembled, and a hint of tears welled up in her eyes.

“Carter, I understand. She’s your ex-wife and Theo’s mother. It’s only natural you’d defend her.

If it were just the usual insults, I wouldn’t have said a word.”

But then she suddenly looked up at him. The gentleness in her eyes, once devoid of any edge, now burned with fierce intensity.

“Carter, you know what I’ve endured. Even in the years I was ill, I never gave up on performing, on competing, For the violin, I’ve been willing to give up everything, even my life.

“But I will never allow anyone to insult the thing I love most.” 1

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