Claimed by the Powerful Billionaire (Charlotte and Matthew) novel Chapter 3

When Matthew walked in, Isabella was drowning in quiet misery.

Matthew looked like it hurt him to see her like that. He sat on the edge of the bed and gently pried her hand open. “What’s wrong? Why are your eyes so red?”

Isabella’s voice was sweet and soft, threaded with sadness. “Matt, I’m sorry.”

Matthew asked, “Did she say something to you?”

Isabella rsponded, “Matt, what do I do? Charlie looks like she’s really mad at me.”

Matthew rubbed the top of her head. “You’re so sweet. How could she be mad at you? She’s just throwing a fit at herself. Give it some time and she’ll be fine.”

“Charlie…” Isabella started sobbing. “Will she divorce you over this? If that happens, I’ll be the sinner.”

Matthew didn’t take it seriously. “No. How could she divorce me?”

The Smith family wasn’t what it had been three years ago. Being able to cling to the Russell family like a towering tree was already a blessing for them.

And Charlotte wasn’t even a real rich daughter to begin with. Life in the Smith family hadn’t been good.

After marrying Matthew, her days finally became easier.

So Matthew was certain—Charlotte would never divorce him.

“Come on. Don’t be sad,” he said. “Mom already told you to take care of your health, or you’ll end up with complications.”

“Matt, if I want to have another one in the future… would you be willing?”

Isabella looked at him like water—gentle, tender, full of anticipation.

She liked everything about this man.

He carried a shadow of John, yet he was more mature, steadier, more… like a real man.

She’d thought he was cold.

Until the night John died—Matthew held her and comforted her in a soft voice for the entire night.

And then, day after day, he cared for her with meticulous attention.

Only then did she realize that deep down, this man was capable of so much tenderness.

If she’d discovered it earlier, maybe she wouldn’t have chosen John back then.

Matthew didn’t answer her question.

Not because he didn’t want to.

Because he didn’t know how.

If it happened again, would he still choose to do that?

After Isabella successfully got pregnant, why did he feel relieved—like he wouldn’t have to sleep with her anymore?

Why did he even feel guilty?

But clearly, he didn’t love Charlotte.

Isabella caught his wandering expression. Her brows tightened for a beat, then she smoothed it away.

She had Everly bring the baby out.

Sure enough, the moment Matthew saw the child, the tenderness on his face couldn’t be hidden.

Isabella secretly rejoiced.

A family of three, warm and blissful.

On the other side, Charlotte’s results came out.

The doctor was genuinely happy for her. “It really wasn’t easy. The assisted pregnancy was successful. When you go home, you must take good care of yourself and rest.”

A tiny life she’d waited for, for three years—her wish actually came true.

Charlotte suddenly wanted to cry.

From happiness.

And from helplessness and despair.

When Ruby Morris rushed over, Charlotte had been sitting on the bench in a daze for a long time.

Ruby was slightly out of breath, furious. “My damn boss—taking one day off was like pulling teeth. He rambled on forever before he finally let me go!”

Ruby and Charlotte were college classmates, close as sisters.

Charlotte whispered, “You didn’t really have to come…”

“This is huge. How could I not come?” Ruby stared at the report for a few seconds, then her brain flashed. “Wait, no! Haven’t you been sleeping in separate rooms from that trash man for ages? Then this baby—”

“Charlie! Did you go out with other men just to punish that asshole?”

Charlotte didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “It’s Matthew’s.”

“Huh?”

Charlotte hated even bringing it up. “Matthew had sperm frozen at the hospital, and I used it in secret.”

“Ah!”

Ruby’s eyes went round as saucers.

So that’s how twisted this story was…

When Isabella got pregnant, the entire Russell family was overjoyed.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify