Chapter 12 Breaking Point

The two of them stood by a nearby store, talking in hushed tones. Charles looked completely at ease, his posture relaxed as Sarah leaned in, her hand lightly brushing his arm. “Suzanne?” Anna’s voice broke through her daze. “What’s wrong?” Suzanne quickly averted her gaze, shaking her head. “Nothing,” she murmured, though the tightness in her voice betrayed her. Anna followed her line of sight and froze. Her face darkened as she spotted the pair. “That bastard,” she hissed under her breath. “I knew something was off.” “Anna, don’t,” Suzanne whispered, her voice trembling. But Anna was already stepping forward. “Oh, I’m absolutely going to,” she said, her tone sharp with determination. Anna strode toward Charles and Sarah, her heels clicking against the polished floor with purpose. Suzanne reached out to stop her, but it was too late. She could only watch, her stomach knotting with dread, as her sister-in-law closed the distance. “Charles!” Anna called out, her voice slicing through the bustling noise of the mall. Charles turned, his eyes widening slightly as he saw Anna approaching. He instinctively stepped back from Sarah, his expression shifting from surprise to irritation. “Anna, what are you doing here?” “What am I doing here?” she shot back, her tone scathing. “The better question is, what are you doing here—and with her?” Sarah’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, stepping closer to Charles as if to assert her place. “I think you’re misunderstanding something,” she said smoothly, her voice dripping with false innocence. Anna ignored her, her focus solely on her brother. “Suzanne is standing right over there,” she said, pointing toward where Suzanne stood frozen, trying to make herself invisible. “She’s pregnant with your child, Charles. And here you are, parading around with your mistress in public. Have you lost your mind?” Charles’s jaw tightened, and a flicker of guilt crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by cold indifference. “Anna, lower your voice,” he hissed. “This is not the time or place.” “Oh, I think it’s the perfect time and place,” Anna snapped. “You’ve been getting away with this for too long, and it’s disgusting. Suzanne deserves better than this.” Charles's eyes narrowed as he spotted Suzanne approaching. He stepped forward, his expression a mixture of anger and frustration. “What are you doing here, Suzanne?” he demanded coldly. “You should be at home, resting.” Before Suzanne could respond, Anna stepped in front of her, her stance protective. “She has every right to be here, Charles,” Anna spat. “You don’t get to dictate her life, not when you’re out here with her.” She shot a venomous glare at Sarah, who shifted uncomfortably but kept her head high. Charles’s face darkened. “Anna, stay out of this. You’re crossing a line.” Anna’s laugh was sharp and defiant. “Crossing a line? The audacity of you to say that when you’re the one betraying your pregnant wife in broad daylight!” Charles’s hand twitched at his side, and for a moment, it seemed like he might lash out. He raised his hand, his expression thunderous. “You—” Charles's hand froze mid-air as a voice called out firmly from behind them, “Suzanne!” All heads turned toward the source of the voice. Standing a short distance away was Dr. Liam Carter, his expression a mix of concern and quiet authority. His presence was enough to shatter the mounting tension in the air. Charles’s face hardened instantly, and he grabbed her to him, his grip on Suzanne’s arm tightened slightly. “What are you doing here?” Charles demanded, his voice laced with irritation. Liam ignored Charles entirely, his gaze focused solely on Suzanne. “Are you alright?” he asked, his tone calm yet filled with concern. Suzanne’s lips parted, but no words came out. She could feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on her, the moment feeling far too charged. Anna, however, found her voice. “She’s fine now, but who knows how long that would’ve lasted with him around.” She shot Charles a pointed glare. “Anna, shut up,” Charles snapped, his temper flaring again. Liam took a measured step closer, his focus never leaving Suzanne. “You don’t look fine,” he said gently, his eyes scanning her face for any signs of distress. “Maybe you should sit down and rest.” Charles scoffed, stepping in front of Suzanne as if to block her from Liam’s view. “She doesn’t need your concern, doctor. She’s coming home. Right now.” “Charles,” Liam said sharply, his voice cutting through like steel. “I’m a doctor. I can see she’s stressed. That’s not good for her, or for your child.” Charles’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, it looked like he might lash out. Instead, he turned his anger toward Suzanne. “We’re leaving. Now,” he growled. Before Suzanne could react, Anna stepped between them. “She’s not going anywhere with you, not when you’re acting like this.” Charles’s patience snapped. “Stay out of this, Anna. This is between me and my wife.” Liam’s eyes narrowed as they scanned Suzanne’s face. The faint discoloration on her cheek told him everything he needed to know. His jaw tightened, and his voice turned icy. “And that gives you the right to hit her however you like, doesn’t it?” Charles froze, his hand dropping from Suzanne’s arm. His expression twisted with defensiveness. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Don’t play dumb with me,” Liam said, stepping forward, his tone calm but charged with restrained fury. “That mark on her face didn’t appear on its own.” Suzanne instinctively turned her face away, but Liam’s words had already shifted the atmosphere. Anna’s eyes widened in horror, and her fists clenched at her sides. Charles glared at Liam, his hands balling into fists. “This isn’t your business. She’s my wife!” “Being her husband doesn’t give you the right to abuse her,” Liam shot back, his voice rising slightly. “And it definitely doesn’t mean she has to tolerate it.” “Stay out of this, Carter,” Charles barked, stepping closer to Liam. Liam didn’t flinch. Instead, he glanced at Suzanne, his voice softening. “You don’t have to stay with him, Suzanne. Not for the baby, not for anything.” Charles’s anger flared again. “She’s mine! She’s staying with me, whether you like it or not.” Anna stepped forward, placing herself between Charles and Liam. “She’s not property, Charles. And if you think for one second I’m going to let you treat her like this, you’re delusional.” Suzanne’s voice, soft but trembling, cut through the chaos. “Please... stop.” Everyone fell silent. Suzanne looked at Liam, her eyes filled with gratitude and guilt, then at Anna, who looked ready to fight on her behalf. Finally, her gaze landed on Charles, whose face was a mixture of rage and frustration. “I just want to go home,” she whispered. Liam frowned, clearly unhappy with her decision, but he nodded. Liam offered Suzanne a warm smile. “Let me give you a ride home,” he said gently. Suzanne hesitated, her eyes darting toward Charles, whose face darkened with frustration. Before she could speak, Liam added, “It’s okay. You’ll be safe with me.” Reluctantly, she nodded. “Alright, thank you.” Charles clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he watched Liam guide Suzanne toward the exit. Sarah, sensing his brewing anger, grabbed his arm. “Charles, leave them alone,” she said softly, her voice laced with reassurance. “She’ll come around. Just give her time.” But Charles wasn’t having it. He yanked his arm free, glaring at Sarah. “No. She’s my wife,” he hissed, his voice low but menacing. Before Sarah could stop him, Charles stalked after them, his steps quick and purposeful. He watched as Liam opened the passenger door of his car, helping Suzanne inside with a care Charles hadn’t shown in years. His blood boiled. Without thinking, he hurried after them, his mind clouded with jealousy and rage. “Suzanne!” he called out, his voice echoing through the parking lot. Liam turned, his expression hardening as he saw Charles approaching. “Is there a problem?” he asked, his voice calm but firm. Charles ignored him, his focus solely on Suzanne. “Get out of his car. Now.” Suzanne flinched at his tone, but she didn’t move. “Charles, please,” she said softly. “I just want to go home.” “And I’ll take you,” Charles snapped, stepping closer. Liam stepped between them, his calm demeanor unwavering. “She’s already accepted my offer. You’ll see her at home.” Charles’s eyes narrowed. “Stay out of this, Carter. She’s my wife, not yours.” “She’s a person,” Liam replied coolly. “And she can make her own decisions.” Charles’s hand twitched at his side, his anger barely contained. Sarah appeared at his side, tugging on his arm again. “Charles, stop this,” she pleaded. “You’re making it worse.” Liam turned to Suzanne, his voice softening. “Are you ready to go?” Suzanne nodded, her hands trembling slightly as she avoided Charles’s fiery gaze. Liam gave her a reassuring smile before walking around to the driver’s side. As the car pulled away, Charles stood frozen in the parking lot, his chest heaving. Sarah placed a tentative hand on his shoulder. “Let it go,” she whispered. But as the car disappeared from view, Charles’s mind raced with plans to regain control. “She’s mine,” he muttered under his breath, his resolve hardening.