Chapter 48: What I cherish could never be considered cheap

Charlotte's memory was a haze concerning the recent events. "So what?" she pondered without a hint of spite. "Am I supposed to harbor a grudge over this?" "You have the nerve!" Malcolm was on the verge of hurling more insults when something caught his eye, sending him into a panicked flight. Late to the drama, Charlotte turned to see Liam standing there, an unexpected calm in his demeanor. "He asked for my intercession; I refused," Charlotte offered a brief explanation. Liam's lips quivered slightly as he fixed a deep, complex gaze on her as if he had a whirlwind of thoughts to share but no words would come out. Charlotte found his silence peculiar and, concerned for his well-being, she gently suggested, "You should head back inside; it's too chilly for such light clothing." Liam clenched his fingers involuntarily, fixated on her. "What he just said..." "I don't remember any of it," she admitted, her memory genuinely failing her. He searched her face for a trace of resentment,