𝐈 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐀 𝐁𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒, 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧

forgiveness.

The storm had subsided by the time Charlotte began to stir. The room was quiet, save for the crackling of a fire in the hearth. She felt the warmth of the blankets wrapped around her and the familiar scent of the Bridgerton home, yet her heart was heavy with the memory of her confrontation with Anthony. Slowly, she opened her eyes to see a worried Anthony sitting beside her bed, his face lined with concern.

"Charlotte," he said softly, relief flooding his voice. "You're awake."

She turned her head away from him, the anger and hurt from their argument still fresh. "Leave me, Anthony."

"I can't," he replied, his voice strained with emotion. "Not after what happened."

"You should have thought about that before you lied to me," she said, her voice trembling with both fatigue and fury. "You betrayed my trust."

"I know," Anthony admitted, his eyes filled with remorse. "And I'm so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen."

"Sorry isn't enough," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "How can I ever trust you again?"

Anthony was about to speak when the door creaked open, and Violet Bridgerton entered the room. She gave her son a pointed look, silently urging him to leave them alone. With a reluctant nod, Anthony rose from his chair and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Violet approached Charlotte's bedside, her expression tender. "How are you feeling, my dear?"

Charlotte sighed, the tension in her body slowly easing at Violet's gentle presence. "I'm... alive, I suppose. But my heart feels like it's been shattered."

Violet sat down beside her, taking her hand in a comforting gesture. "I understand, Charlotte. And I'm here to help you through this."

"I don't know if I can forgive him," Charlotte admitted, her voice breaking. "I don't know if I even want to try."

Violet nodded sympathetically. "Anthony has made mistakes, there's no denying that. But I can tell you, as his mother, that he loves you deeply. He's just too stubborn and afraid to fully admit it."

Charlotte looked at Violet, her eyes filled with doubt. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because I've seen it in his eyes," Violet replied softly. "The way he looks at you, the way he speaks about you. He cares for you more than he's ever cared for anyone. But Anthony has always been burdened by his responsibilities, by the need to protect those he loves, even if it means making foolish decisions."

Charlotte swallowed hard, tears welling up in her eyes. "I thought I meant more to him than this... this arrangement."

"You do, Charlotte," Violet assured her. "He just needs to realize that the best way to protect you is to be honest with you, to let you in. He needs to let go of his fear and trust that love is stronger than any mistake."

Charlotte wiped away a tear, her heart aching with conflicting emotions. "I don't know if I can face him right now."

"Take your time," Violet said gently. "But know that Anthony is out there, waiting for you, ready to do whatever it takes to make things right. He loves you, Charlotte. He just needs to find the courage to show it."

They sat in silence for a few moments, the fire crackling softly in the background. Charlotte felt a small glimmer of hope in her heart, but the pain was still too fresh, the wounds too deep.

Violet squeezed her hand gently. "Whatever you decide, Charlotte, know that you have a family here who cares for you. And that includes Anthony, as flawed as he may be."