"Charles, you''re such a jerk!"


    Evelyn''s eyes zed with fury, her teeth clenched in frustration, feeling utterly helpless.


    She tried to shove Charles away, but he wouldn''t budge. With no other option, Evelyn turned her gaze to Brooks, standing nearby.


    In an apologetic tone, she said, "Brooks, you don''t need to search for the ne anymore. It''ste; you should head home and get some rest." Her words were a polite way of asking him to leave. Brooks got the hint. He''d also seen the ne in Charles'' hand. It was an ordinary-looking piece, but the one Evelyn had asked him to find.


    "Alright, take care. Call me if you need anything," Brooks replied. He''s gentle and understanding enough not toplicate things for Evelyn. He could see the ne held great significance for her.


    Once Brooks left and the door clicked shut, Evelyn''s face turned cold again. She red at Charles, her voice icy, "The ne."


    "Lie down," Charles said curtly.


    Evelyn was taken aback. The sharp retort she had readily dissolved as she met his intense gaze. The ne was still in his grip. With no choice, she reluctantlyy back on the hospital bed. Before she could say more, Charles locked the door and returned to her side. He leaned over, reaching to unbutton her shirt.


    Before he could touch her, Evelyn grabbed his hand with a wary look. "What are you doing?"


    "What do you think I''m doing?" Charles'' expression darkened, eyeing Evelyn like she was overreacting. "What, can''t I even touch you now?"


    "Let go," Charlesmanded, his voice firm. He was used to being in control around Evelyn.


    Evelyn remained defiant and held his hand tight. "I sent Brooks away. Now, give me the ne and leave."


    Charles was worried about her injuries, and softened slightly, "I just wanted to check your injuries."


    He didn''t understand what had changed in Evelyn. Ever since he broke his promise to take Charlie to the amusement park, she had hidden Charlie from him and changed her attitude.


    Could she have fallen for Brooks? Charles dismissed the idea immediately. It was ridiculous. Evelyn loved him too much to move on overnight. Agreeing to a blind date with Brooks must have been to spite him.


    "I don''t need your care," Evelyn shot back.


    Before she finished, Charles lost patience and forcefully unbuttoned her hospital gown.


    "Charles!" Evelyn yelled as her injuries came into view.


    Charles'' eyes widened. What the man said was true. He knew she was hurt, but not this badly.


    His face turned icy as he took in her wounds. "Evelyn, are you out of your mind? All this for a worthless trinket?"


    His words cut deep. To Evelyn, that ne symbolized Charlie. Charles'' disdain for it felt like disdain for Charlie.


    Evelyn''s heart ached. Tears of anger welled up. She pped Charles hard. "Shut tup! You have no right to judge this ne. It''s priceless tome. Give it back."


    Charles didn''t love Charlie, so he couldn''t grasp how important Charlie''s ashes were to Evelyn.


    "Evelyn!" Charles was livid.


    Ignoring his dark re, Evelyn sat up, trying desperately to snatch the ne from his hand. "Give it back!"


    The words "worthless trinket" stung. For Evelyn, having Charlie''s ne in Charles'' hand felt like an insult to Charlie.


    Charlie had always been insignificant to Charles. He wouldn''t care about the ne, not when he didn''t even care about Charlie.


    Evelyn''s eyes reddened further, her emotions spiraling.


    "Give it back!"


    Charles watched as she ignored the pain her struggles caused her injuries. The sting of her p


    reminded him of her ingratitudo et


    He''d cared for her injuries, and n return, she pped him and acted irrationally.


    Evelyn had always indulged Charles. Now, her cold words and p


    Beste


    his limits. He was furious. He


    believe she would hit him over a


    broken ne.


    As she frantically tried to pry the ne from him, he abruptly let go of her hand. Under Evelyn''s furious gaze, he strode to the window and flung it open. The cold wind rushed in. Evelyn shivered, realizing what was happening. Her eyes widened in horror. "No!"


    But Charles ignored her protests without a second thought and tossed the ne out the window like trash. The window overlooked a man-madeke.


    Evelyn felt her heart shatter once more. What she had regained was again lost, and Charles had thrown it away.