Chapter 1

Three months before the divorce,Charlotte Sutton applied for a job transfer.

One month before the divorce,she mailed the divorce papers to Jaxson Hamilton.

Three days before the divorce,she packed all her belongings and moved out of their marital home.

She decided to end the six-year marriage when Jaxson appeared before her with his unforgettable love and her child,a child who called him "Daddy".That was the moment she woke up.

Since he kept choosing them over her,making her feel like the other woman in her marriage,she would set him free.She would walk away.

Yet when she truly vanished from his world, Jaxson went crazy.

She thought Jaxson would finally marry his unforgettable love. Yet, surprisingly,this untouchable, powerful man appeared before the media with red-rimmed eyes, pleading in utter vulnerability,"I never cheated. I don't have any illegitimate children.I just have a wife who left me.Her name is Charlotte Sutton. And I miss her."

Three months ago,the hospital director,David Jefferson,held Charlotte's transfer application and looked at her in astonishment."Lottie,are you certain about transferring to Portland Hospital?"

Charlotte's lashes fluttered as she smiled faintly,her expression tinged with sorrow."I've made up my mind."

Seeing her determination,David sighed and signed the paperwork.

As Charlotte left the director's office, she ran into Jaxson and Caroline Warren in a white coat with a little boy.

She paused in her tracks.

The scene before her could have been a perfect family portrait.

Caroline walked beside Jaxson,the boy beaming as he held both their hands.

The sight pierced Charlotte's heart.

Jaxson's patience and tenderness toward them were things she'd never experienced.

She knew he hated her.

Caroline had been Jaxson's first love.Charlotte only learned they'd broken up after she married Jaxson through a deal with his grandmother.

To Jaxson, she was the scheming woman who'd stolen him away.He never knew the truth that she'd met him long before Caroline, though he didn't remember.

She'd believed marriage would make him recall their past and win his heart.

But she was completely wrong.

He despised her.

How could love grow from hatred?

For six years, he'd claimed to be single in public, pretending not to know her. The proof was undeniable.

"Dr.Sutton?"Caroline greeted her.

Jaxson frowned, his gaze sharp as if warning Charlotte against revealing their relationship.

The distance in his eyes sent a pang through her heart, but she maintained her composure. "Ms.Warren.Mr. Hamilton."

Jaxson had recently become an investor in Boston Medical Center. Charlotte knew he hadn't done it for her, but for Caroline.

Caroline's return from abroad,her immediate joining of the hospital, and her appointment as head of surgery made his motives clear.

Everyone in the hospital knew she had Jaxson's backing, and there cent rumors that he was Caroline's boyfriend had never been addressed by him.

Caroline looped her arm through Jaxson's."No need for formalities, Dr.Sutton. At the hospital, you're a veteran, and I still have a lot to learn from you."

Before Charlotte could respond, the boy tugged at Jaxson."Daddy,I 'm tired.Carry me?Can you hold me?"

Charlotte's expression dramatically changed at the term "Dad".

Chapter 2

Caroline feigned scolding."Collin, you can't call him that!"She turned to Jaxson apologetically. "I'm sorry. He doesn't know better."

Jaxson glanced at Charlotte briefly before effortlessly lifting the boy with a neutral expression."It's fine."

"I like you. I wish you were my real daddy!"Collin Warren clung to his neck.

Caroline tapped the boy's nose playfully."Silly boy."

Charlotte clenched her fists.

This gentle,patient side of Jaxson was one she'd never known.

Charlotte decided not to dwell on it.

She wouldn't warm up to his heart anyway.

Perhaps this was for the best.

Swallowing her pain,she stepped past them into the elevator.

***

Charlotte hadn't made her job transfer application public,nor had she told Jaxson, because she thought it was unnecessary.

He likely wouldn't care anyway.

Her car pulled up to Hamilton's Manor,where she rang the bell.

In no time, the housekeeper,Linda Haney,came out to open the door. "Mrs.Hamilton,you're back."

"Is Madam Hamilton home?"

"Yes,she's inside.Please come in."Linda treated Charlotte with utmost respect.

Jaxson's grandmother,Nancy Hamilton,was a highly respected elder in the Hamilton family.Since her husband's passing, Nancyhad been in charge of all the family's affairs.

Nancy was a Southerner,born into a powerful business magnate in the South.In her youth,she had been a formidable and decisive business woman. Even if Jaxson's mother disliked Charlotte, she wouldn't dare cross Charlotte in Nancy's presence.

Linda led Charlotte to a meditation room where Nancy knelt on a cushion, praying.

"Madam Hamilton, Mrs.Hamilton is here."

Nancy opened her eyes slowly."Come sit."

After Linda left, Charlotte knelt beside Nancy,bowing devoutly before the statue.

Nancy was deeply religious,frequently attending church services."Madam Hamilton,"Charlotte began,"I want to divorce Jaxson."

Chapter 3

Nancy froze momentarily before meeting her gaze."This wasn't our agreement when we made our deal. Are you having second thoughts?"

Yes,she was.

Charlotte lowered her eyes,suppressing the bitterness in them."I've disappointed you."

Nancy closed her eyes briefly and sighed."Very well.If that's what you want,go ahead and divorce him.I gave you the opportunity.But you can't win Jaxson over.Now our family owes you nothing more."

A heavy weight settled in Charlotte's chest."Thank you,"she replied hoarsely.

***

Returning to Havenwood Apartments, she coincidentally encountered Caroline, her son, and Jaxson downstairs.

They had arrived in Jaxson's car.

Charlotte stood frozen.

Caroline looked at her in surprise."Dr.Sutton?Do you live at Havenwood Apartments too?"

Instinctively, Charlotte glanced at Jaxson, but he showed no reaction.

His indifference cut deeper than any words could.

Havenwood Apartments was a luxury complex in Boston, one of the Hamilton family's properties. Jaxson had offered it to her as compensation.

It was close to the hospital,so she accepted it.

She never imagined he would move Caroline and her son here as well.

How eager he was.

"What a coincidence,"Charlotte murmured,suppressing her emotions.

As she turned to leave, Caroline spoke again,"Dr.Sutton,I heard you're married.Why haven't we seen your husband around?"

Charlotte's steps faltered.

Her gaze flickered to Jaxson, whose eyes darkened with displeasure.

Charlotte sneered inwardly. Was he really that afraid of Caroline finding out about their relationship?

"I don't have a husband,"she stated flatly.

A shadow passed through Jaxson's normally calm eyes.

"But Dr.Sutton,you're listed as married,"Caroline said,her smile still in place.

Her hospital records did indeed list her as married. Yet no one had ever seen her supposed husband.

Charlotte forced a mocking smile."I just wrote that for fun.I don't have a husband."

Jaxson's eyes narrowed dangerously at her denial.

Since she'd already resigned and decided to leave, she didn't care anymore about keeping her marital status a secret.