Chapter 4 If I Had a Choice She looked up at him , expecting agreement , waiting for him to say they should end this .
After all , his true love was back , and Charlotte was ready to step aside .
An image of Julius so much like his father flashed through her mind , making her heart clench .
But she kept her face neutral , waiting for the yes she was sure would come .
Instead , his voice cut through the air , cold and sharp : Our marriage may have been arranged , but its been peaceful for five years .
Theres no need for divorce .
Chapter 4 If I Had a Choice No ? She wanted to laugh .
How do you 2/9 plan to marry Sarah without divorcing me first ? The words burned in her throat , but she swallowed them down .
But I dont like you , she said , her voice shaking .
I dont even know you .
We cant live like this .
Neither of us will be happy .
Arthurs face darkened as his jaw clenched .
In one fluid motion , he crossed the room and pinned her to the bed , looming over her with his face just inches from hers .
Charlottes heart pounded as she quickly covered her mouth with her hand , staring up at him in shock .
What do you think youre doing ? she mumbled behind her palm .
Proving that our marriage is fine , he said coldly , his eyes hard .
Charlotte felt sick to her stomach .
This was wrong on so many levels .
First , he claims theyre just friends with no feelings involved, and now hes trying to kiss her ? Was that all she was to him something to use when convenient ? The irony made her heart twist painfully .
Fighting back the hurt in her chest , Charlotte met his gaze .
Stop , she said firmly .
I only do this with someone I have feelings for .
And I dont have any for you .
You cant force this .
There she goes again , claiming she has no 4/9 feelings for him .
It drove him crazy .
Something inside Arthur finally snapped .
His face turned stone cold as he pulled back , barely containing his anger .
Charlotte flinched away from him , fear flickering across her face .
Without a word , he stormed out of the room .
The door slammed behind him , and Charlotte let out a shaky breath of relief .
For a moment there , shed thought he might actually force himself on her .
She sat up slowly , her mind racing with confusion .
If he loved Sarah so much , why wouldnt 5/9 he just divorce her ? It made no sense .
Before she could think it through , someone knocked on the door .
Come in .
She quickly put on her confused face as she turned to the door .
Madam , would you like something to eat ? the maid asked .
Charlotte nodded sheepishly .
Actually , yes .
Dinners ready downstairs if youd like to join .
Thanks , Ill come down .
She felt a bit smug about how well she 6/9 was playing this .
She just had to keep it up until she got those divorce papers signed .
Walking into the dining room , she spotted a small figure sitting perfectly still at the table , hands folded in his lap , face blank .
He barely turned his head when he heard her , saying Mom in that same cold way his father had .
Charlotte felt her chest tighten .
Julius had been shipped off to Arthurs parents at three , where theyd raised him like a tiny soldier , robbing him of any real childhood .

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In the beginning , hed still run to her for hugs when he visited .
But that didnt last .
Soon hed flinch when she tried to hold touch .
He started shutting her out completely .
She remembered how he gave her the silent treatment for a whole week just because shed tried to tidy up his books .
These days , he was turning into a mini version of Arthur just as cold , just as distant .
Fighting back tears , Charlotte looked at him and asked , Are you really my kid ? Julius , aware of her supposed memory loss , kept his face blank .
Yes .
Charlotte nodded , unable to keep the bitterness from her voice .
Then why didnt you even look at me in the hospital ? Its like Im not even your mother .
8/9 Julius , still too young to mask his emotions as well as his father , hesitated .
His forehead creased before he answered , I am your son .
Thats just fact .
Dont say things like that .
He seemed annoyed with her attitude and , surprisingly , started to lecture her .
Dont talk like that .
People will think youve gone crazy from being stuck at home too long .
Charlottes fingers clenched , fighting back her rising anger .
The contempt in his eyes was unmistakable .
She took a deep breath and fixed him with a hard stare .
You little brat , where are your manners ? Is this how you speak to your mother ? 9/9 She used to let them both walk all over her , but not anymore .
Shed decided to leave , and she wouldnt tolerate their disrespect any longer .
Julius froze .
You … Charlotte calmly picked up her fork and started eating .
Just stop talking .
If I had a choice , I wouldnt want a son like you .
Julius stared at her , stunned .
This woman who had always bent over backwards to please him and his father was suddenly different .
She had never acted like this before !