Chapter 261
“What do you know?” Andrew shot Shirley a glare.
“You like Charlotte, but she’s into Anthony, so now you’re all heartbroken,” Shirley said, blinking at him like she had just cracked the code to his soul. “But don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”
Andrew frowned and reached over, squishing both of Shirley’s cheeks in his hands. He sounded totally exasperated. “You don’t know anything.”
Sure, at first, Charlotte’s vibe had really gotten to him. He’d had a bit of a crush, couldn’t help it. But he had quickly figured out she was way out of his league, so he’d given up before he could even try.
What actually got to him was the fact that he couldn’t catch a break. At home, Anthony was always on his case. At school, it was Charlotte. He just knew he was never going to have an easy day again.
…
Inside the car, Charlotte lounged in the seat, looking completely relaxed. She cradled a bottle of milk in her left hand. Her right hand was all swollen and resting on Anthony’s lap while he carefully dabbed ointment onto it.
Anthony had draped his jacket over her shoulders. That left him in deep blue pajamas, the collar loose and showing off a stretch of pale, perfect collarbone. Under the soft glow of the car’s lights, with his sharp features, he looked almost dangerously attractive.
“It’s pretty swollen. I’m not sure if you hurt the bone. We’ll have a doctor check it out when we get home,” Anthony said.
“My bones are fine,” Charlotte replied, taking a sip of milk. Her lashes lifted as she glanced at him. “Your hands smell like blood.”
Anthony paused, a little surprised. He’d washed his hands over and over and even used disinfectant, but the smell still lingered.
“I had to clean up some mess. I’ll wash them again later,” he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. His brows drew together, like he was actually upset. “Does it hurt?”
Charlotte hesitated. She wanted to say it didn’t, but the words came out differently. “It hurts a lot.”
“And you still went and got into a fight.”
Anthony’s tone was low, almost scolding. He brushed a stray piece of hair from her forehead and tucked it behind her ear, his voice rough. “Did you learn your lesson?”
“Yeah.”
Charlotte looked so well-behaved, but deep down they both knew she’d do the same thing all over again.
“Andrew saw us holding hands,” she added, sipping her milk.
“That’s fine.” Anthony patted the back of her head, his gaze deep and unreadable.
“He’ll have to figure out sooner or later that I belong to you.”
Charlotte almost choked on her milk. Since when did he belong to her?
At Imperial Heights, Charlotte sat on
Qu
the bed, head lowered, brows knitted together. Her hand wasn’t broken, but the tissue was bruised and
Swollen, and since it was her right hand, she couldn’t even lift it She couldn’t change her clothes or wash her face, and her mood was in the gutter.
Anthony walked in and found her sulking, looking so pitiful that he couldn’t help but smile. His ðarka
softened with warmth and a kind of gentle affection.
“You want me to help you change, or should I call Helen?” he asked.
Charlotte slowly looked up at him, her clear eyes meeting his, silent and serious.
She didn’t say a word, but her expression screamed, Are you kidding me?
Anthony gave a helpless laugh and called Helen to help her change into fresh clothes.
“Miss Charlotte, let me help you wash your face.”
“You can go. I’ve got it from here,” Anthony said, rolling up his sleeves. He stepped in front of the bed and leaned down his voice gentle Lottie, put your left arm around my neck.”
Charlotte didn’t argue. She reached up and hooked her arm around him.
In the next moment, Anthony lifted her up, holding her close, their hearts thudding together in the quiet room.