Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 666

Charlotte lifted her head to meet his handsome face, now just inches away, and smiled. "That's what I think. I just wonder what Mr. Howard thinks."

His lips pressed into a thin line, and for a long moment, he said nothing.

Charlotte finished bandaging his hand. "Why don't you have your man come in for some soup? It's cold out, and I'd hate for you both to have made the trip for nothing."

Evander looked at her, his expression thoughtful.

A few minutes later, Fletcher was seated next to Evander, looking around with anticipation. "I feel so lucky to get to try your wife's cooking. I bet she's amazing, right, Mr. Howard?"

Evander shot him a sideways glance. "Natalie never mentioned you were so talkative."

Fletcher gave a dry laugh. "My grandpa always said I had a loose tongue. I'm, uh, trying to work on it."

Charlotte emerged with two bowls of soup. Fletcher was practically vibrating with excitement, but as he looked down at the whitish, tofu-like but not-quite-tofu things floating in the familiar-smelling broth, his smile slowly vanished. "This is..."

It was a pungent tripe soup!

He'd hated the stuff since he was a kid.

Charlotte pulled out a chair and sat across from them. "Not to your liking?"

Evander stirred the contents with his spoon. He'd never even seen a soup like this before. "What is this?"

Fletcher suddenly had a brilliant idea. "Mr. Howard, this stuff is the best!"

"Is it?" Evander asked, skeptical. The moment the first spoonful hit his tongue, his expression soured. He couldn't swallow it, but he couldn't spit it out either.

Fletcher buried his head, trying not to look at his boss's face.

"Does it not taste good?" Charlotte asked, feigning confusion. "Did I miss a step?"

Fletcher's mouth twitched. "Ma'am, did you, uh... treat this to get rid of the strong smell?"

She shook her head with perfect sincerity. "Actually, no."

Evander forced himself to swallow the mouthful of soup and looked between them. "What exactly is this?"

She smiled sweetly. "Tripe."

The manager, sensing an opportunity, gently pushed the girl forward. "Mr. Pembroke, this young lady is new here. Just graduated from university!"

The waitress timidly raised her head, shrinking back slightly as she felt his intense gaze on her.

Jonathan suddenly sat up straight. "What's your name?"

"Easter..."

"Come closer."

The push sent her stumbling, and she nearly fell into Jonathan's lap. He steadied her, his hand tilting her chin up.

The man's scrutiny made her unable to meet his eyes, the pressure was suffocating.