Charlotte glanced at Xavier, and slowly, her lips curled up into a content smile. She turned to Clara, and gently patted the back of her hand.
"See?" she said softly. "I told you."
Then she looked back at Xavier.
"Xavier's feelings for you were never a lie. He still loves you just the same. Adelyn's sudden appearance cannot change that so easily."
Xavier's expression remained simply stoic. He neither denied nor affirmed her words.
Seeing his silence as agreement, Charlotte's smile only further deepened.
"Since you've finally made your decision and made your feelings clear to me," she continued, "I'll entrust my daughter to you, Xavier." Her tone gradually turned more earnest. "I hope you wouldn't disappoint me anymore. Protect my daughter, love her, and give her the best that you can ..."
"My Clara has already suffered enough." She looked at her daughter with unmistakable tenderness. "I don't want to see her suffer even a little anymore."
