Forsaking the Years of Longing novel Chapter 9

As the words fell, Jaziel and Nolan sat with Sophie at the table next to Charlotte.

The two young men vied to serve Sophie food, their eyes filled with indulgence.

Lily, watching this, stabbed her steak furiously, but Charlotte remained composed, her expression calm and indifferent. Lily could only suppress her anger and say nothing.

Before long, the two finished their dinner and left together. After saying goodbye to Lily again, Charlotte returned home.

That night, Jaziel and Nolan still didn’t come back. Charlotte didn’t care; she was busy packing up her remaining belongings.

In the morning, hearing footsteps outside, she knew they had returned. It made sense—they were supposed to move into their new house today.

What they didn’t know was that their new home, their future, would no longer include her.

The noise outside grew louder, likely from moving luggage, but Charlotte ignored it. After double-checking her suitcases, her mother’s call came through.

When the call connected, a gentle voice greeted her.

“Charlotte, what time does your flight land? We’ll pick you up.”

Charlotte opened the app to check her ticket. “I should arrive around 7 PM,” she replied softly.

At that moment, the door swung open. Charlotte turned her head and saw Jaziel and Nolan standing there.

Nolan casually asked, “Who were you talking to?”

“No one,” Charlotte replied coldly as she ended the call.

Her chilly tone caught both men off guard. Ever since Sophie’s arrival, Charlotte had been distant toward them...

Jaziel hadn’t felt the need to explain before, but her unusual behavior recently lingered in his mind, stirring an inexplicable sense of unease.

He spoke instinctively, “Charlotte, Sophie isn’t like you. She’s from a poor family and had a hard life growing up. I just couldn’t help but look after her a bit more—nothing else.”

Nolan chimed in, “Yeah, we just pity Sophie. Besides, weren’t you the one who introduced her to us in the first place? How can you be jealous of her?”

Charlotte’s expression remained neutral. “Why are you telling me this?”

In unison, they answered, “Because you care!”

The three of them had grown up together, their childhood bond giving them an unspoken understanding. Just a glance, a word, and they could guess her thoughts. How could they not notice her feelings?

But now, she seemed increasingly inscrutable to them.

Her gaze carried a hint of detachment, as if looking at two strangers. “I don’t care. Didn’t you say you only see her as a friend? I’m your friend too, aren’t I? So what’s there to care about?”

For a moment, the two were speechless.

After a long pause, Jaziel couldn’t hold back. “Charlotte, you know what I want has never been just friendship.”

Nolan’s emotions slipped onto his face. “Charlotte, after all these years, do you really think I’ve only ever seen you as a friend?”

Charlotte knew exactly what they meant. They both liked her and wanted to be with her.