Elijah turned aside dejectedly, letting Charlotte walk away.
The pain in his wound was intense, but it didn't compare to the ache in his heart.
He knew well that he had it coming.
*****
After leaving the hospital that day, Charlotte didn't hear any news about Elijah for a whole week.
Instead, Mason frequently visited, always coming up with some excuse to drop by.
Charlotte was busy crafting her showpieces, and Mason's culinary skills were a welcome change from instant noodles and takeout, winning over her reluctant stomach.
Wednesday was the day for Melanie's official photo shoot.
That afternoon, Charlotte finished her work early and decided to head to the studio to see the results for herself.
However, as soon as she opened the door, she froze.
Melanie had Mandy's head pressed a
