Evelyn shot Charles a frosty look, then turned away. She tossed back the covers, got up, and strolled toward the bathroom.


    Inside, she noticed the floor was covered with brand-new non-slip mats-in her favorite color.


    When she finished and went to wash up at the sink, there was a toothbrush waiting, toothpaste already squeezed out. Charles stood quietly by the door, watching her.


    The scene was painfully familiar.


    For five years, whenever Charles spent the night, no matter how rough he''d been


    or how exhausted she was, she''d drag herself up in the morning to get everything ready for him—his toiletries set out, his clothes pressed.


    Now, the roles had reversed. Charles was fussing over every detail, tiptoeing around her, desperate to please.


    A cold, mocking smile curled at Evelyn''s lips.


    Love that shows upte isn''t worth a dime.


    Without a word, she rinsed off the toothbrush, squeezed a fresh line of toothpaste, changed the ss, and went about brushing her teeth and washing her face.


    Charles just stood there, silent, watching.


    He waited by her side until she was done, until she brushed past him and headed downstairs. Instantly, he fell in step behind her.


    Just as Evelyn reached the stairs, Charles scooped her up from behind.


    "Charles, put me down!" she protested, squirming in his arms, wanting nothing to do with his touch.


    "Eve, you''re pregnant. It''s not safe for you to use the stairs. I''ll let you go once we''re down."


    His arms were steady and strong, his voice soft, almost pleading.


    On the stairs, Evelyn didn''t dare struggle too hard-she was afraid of falling, of tumbling down the steps.


    She stiffened, arms crossed over her chest, her whole body rigid, doing her best to avoid any more contact with him than necessary.


    Charles took each step slowly.


    One at a time.


    The moment his footnded on thest step, Evelyn snapped. "Put me down!" she barked, fighting harder to get free.


    Reluctantly, Charles set her down.


    The


    stepped away,


    Another feet touched the them as she could. Chet


    as much distance


    as she could. Convec


    Charles felt the sting of her rejection.


    belongs


    Those two minutes had been sweet as honey to him, but for Evelyn, it had been torture-pure misery.


    Her disgust for him now was even deeper than back in those years when he''d misunderstood her.


    For the first time, Charles truly felt the pain she must have endured alt those years-the silent coldness, the way he''d shut her out.


    Every time he''d ignored her, every careless wound he''d left.


    You only know how sharp the knife is when it cuts into your own flesh.


    "Eve, I''m sorry." He had a thousand things to say, but only those words made it out.


    But to Evelyn, whose heart had long since turned cold, apologies meant nothing.


    She didn''t even look his way, just marched toward the door.


    Charles reached out and caught her wrist. "Eve, eat something first. I made all your favorites."


    That stopped her. Evelyn nced back, unable to hide her surprise.


    Charles had never cared about what she liked-how could he possibly know her tastes?


    On the table were eight dishes, every single one her favorite.


    She''d always had simple tastes. The foods she loved hadn''t changed since she was a child.


    She''d lived with the Jenkins family for ten years.


    Charles was a devoted grandson, often having meals with his grandmother in her little cottage.


    Grandma had never treated Evelyn like a servant-she always invited her to join them.


    Evelyn would sit right next to Charles.


    He was always the quiet type,


    speaking except to answer his


    grandmother. To him, Evelynel


    as well have been invisibles