Chapter 12
Sophie’s calls had come through countless times, but Nolan never picked up.
The lakeside villa was just as cold and empty as the old house.
It didn’t seem to make any difference where they were.
By midnight, as the temperature dropped further, Jaziel and Nolan could no longer sit idly and finally returned to the villa.
The moment they opened the door, they were met with the sight of Sophie dozing off on the
sofa.
The villa’s warm, yellow lights gave the room a dim yet cozy atmosphere.
However, neither Jaziel nor Nolan was in the mood to notice.
“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Nolan’s voice carried a tinge of exhaustion, mixed with
irritation.
He had no energy left to care for someone else.
Jaziel, without sparing a glance, headed straight to his room, leaving behind a cold remark:
“When it’s late, you should go to bed. Don’t wait for us anymore.”
Sophie, curled up on the soft sofa, stared in shock.
How could this happen?
Jaziel and Nolan had always been so gentle with her. Could Charlotte’s departure really be the reason for their sudden coldness?
Pacing back and forth between Jaziel and Nolan’s rooms, Sophie’s expression hardened as
her thoughts solidified.
Returning to her own room, she quickly deleted the taunting messages she had sent
Charlotte.
13:07
Forsaking the Years of Longing
7.3%
Charlotte could leave willingly, but it mustn’t appear as though Sophie had driven her
away
Meanwhile, Jaziel lay in bed, sleep evading him as his mind spiraled into a blank void
Charlotte had left, but she had never told them exactly where her home in New Orleans
was.
The Murphy family was well–known in New Orleans‘ elite circles, so finding her wouldn’t be
difficult.
But… she had concealed her departure from them. Didn’t that mean she didn’t want to be
found?
The thought struck Jaziel like a dagger, a sharp pain searing through his chest.
Nolan couldn’t sit still either. Desperate for answers, he called Grace, hoping to learn why Charlotte had left so abruptly and without a word.
The phone rang a few times before it was answered. Grace, working the night shift, had just stepped off the operating table.
Still wearing her gloves, she had a nurse hold the phone for her.
“Hello? Nolan? What’s the matter calling so late?”
Having grown up together, Nolan and Jaziel also called Grace “Aunt,” just like Charlotte did.
“Aunt, do you know where Charlotte’s house in New Orleans is? Why did she leave so suddenly? I need to find her!” Nolan asked, his urgency barely contained.
Grace paused briefly before replying uncertainly:
“You… you don’t know why Charlotte left? She told me that you and Jaziel were already
aware…”
In that moment, the realization hit them both: Charlotte had lied.
But as Charlotte’s family, Grace quickly realized her slip and scrambled to cover it up.
13:07
Forsaking the Years of Longing
7.6%
“Oh, that Nolan. Immerce derermembered Charlotte just canted to visit her parents in New Orleans. It’s been park eince the last saw them. You re have been so busy, she probably didn’t want to bother you.”
Her explanation sounded calm, be it didn’t sit well with Nolan
“Te that so he asked, unconvinced.
an
Even though Nolan doubted her words, he understood he wasn’t going to get the truth from
Grace
Still, he couldn’t believe Charlotte had chosen to hide everything only from the two of them.
Visiting her parents? What a flimsy excuse.
If that were all it was, why would she hide it?
Something far more significant had to be going on.
Unable to wait any longer, Nolan grabbed his jacket and stormed out the door.
But as he stepped outside, he stopped abruptly.
Leaning against the car, surrounded by
