Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Charles POV

My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white.

Willow's expression as I left kept flashing through my mind.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

As soon as I dealt with Rachel's mother, I'd go straight back. I'd tell Willow everything—about Rachel.

Even if she hated me.

I had to beg for her forgiveness.

I arrived at Rachel's place. She rushed over and grabbed my arms.

"Charlie, you're finally here!"

"My mom just collapsed, and I had no idea what to do…"

I patted her shoulder and gently pushed her aside. "Take me to her."

Rachel's mother, Samara, was in bad shape. I arranged for an ambulance immediately.

At the hospital, Samara was wheeled straight into the ER.

Rachel stood outside the door, shoulders shaking as she sobbed.

I handled all the paperwork and contacted the best cardiac specialist before turning to her. "The doctors will take care of your mother."

She whipped around. "You're leaving?"

I was already irritated. "Willow's waiting for me. And there's nothing more I can do here."

"But I need you!" Rachel's voice shot up.

She grabbed my arm. "Charlie, I'm scared… My mom watched you grow up. Are you really just going to walk away?"

Samara had watched me grow up. When my mother, Penelope, was busy with her social life, Samara often looked after me.

By all rights, I should stay.

But I wanted to go back.

Back to Willow. To confess everything.

"I'll come first thing tomorrow morning," I said, pulling my arm free. "The doctors will take care of her tonight."

"You just want to get back to Willow, don't you?" Her tone shifted.

I said coldly, "She's my wife. Of course I should be with her."

Rachel laughed—a sharp, ugly sound. She pulled out her phone. "You leave, and I'll send her the video."

My heart felt like it was being crushed in an icy fist. I said flatly, "Go ahead. Send Willow the video. But you'd better be ready to deal with the fallout."

Rachel froze.

She clearly hadn't expected me to say that.

"You…"

"I'm done with this," I cut her off. "I'm going to tell Willow everything. Then I'm cutting you off for good. As for the video, release it if you want."

I turned to leave.

Rachel's laughter rang out behind me—wild, almost hysterical.

"You think Willow will forgive you?"

"I didn't just record one video, Charlie. Remember our wedding day? In the dressing room? I recorded that too."

My back went rigid.

Confessing didn't mean I wanted Willow to see those videos.

"While Willow was getting her hair and makeup done in her wedding dress, you were inside me." Rachel stepped in front of me, tilting her face up. "And on your wedding night, you left her and spent the whole night with me. You really think she'll forgive you after seeing all that?"

"Your career, your reputation—it'll all be destroyed. Everyone in Majestic City will know you're a piece of shit who cheated on his wedding day."

I closed my eyes. The world spun.

I'd been so close.

One step away from coming clean to Willow, begging her forgiveness, starting over.

But now…

I opened my eyes and stared at the videos on Rachel's phone.

Some in hotel rooms. Some in cars. Some at her place.

In every one, my expression, my rough movements—I looked completely absorbed. Consumed.

How could I claim I wasn't willing?

Would Willow really forgive me?

Rachel smiled with satisfaction, her fingers trailing up my chest. "Charles, just keep things the way they are. As long as you don't leave me, these videos will never see the light of day."

A crushing wave of despair crashed over me.

In the end, I pulled out my phone and texted Willow:

Babe, the situation's worse than I thought. I might not make it home tonight. Get some rest.

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Willow POV

The next morning, I woke up alone.

Charles hadn't come home.

I saw the message he'd sent in the early hours.

I let out a cold laugh.

I'd expected this, hadn't I?

I arrived at the office on time, opened my computer, and started working through project files.

Suddenly, the office went quiet.

Everyone turned toward the entrance.

And then I saw Blake.

"Oh my God, is that Blake?" Molly whispered, her voice filled with shock. "Sterling's chief assistant!"

"What's he doing at a small company like ours?"

Murmurs spread through the office.

Everyone was speculating about why Blake was here.

Blake's gaze swept the room and landed on me.

My heart skipped a beat.

The whispers grew louder.

"Who's he looking for?"

"Oh my God, he's heading toward Willow!"

Blake stopped in front of my desk and gave a slight nod.

"Miss Spencer, do you have a moment?"

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