The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1125

Cabinda.

With her mom finally on the mend, Charlotte felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. That night, she slept better than she had in ages.

A loud ringtone shattered her peaceful morning. Charlotte groaned, pulled the blanket up over her head, and curled into a tight ball, hoping the world would just go away. Eventually, she stuck one pale arm out, fumbled for her phone, and pressed it to her ear.

“Morning, Charlotte!” Andrew’s voice was way too cheerful for this early. “I haven’t seen you in forever. Did you miss me?”

Before he could say anything else, Charlotte hung up. She didn’t even bother responding.

Andrew stared at his phone, completely confused. A few seconds later, the ringtone started up again, just as relentless.

Charlotte shoved the blanket aside and pushed her hair back, glaring at the phone with sleepy annoyance. “You better have a good reason for calling this early.”

“I do, I swear!” Andrew sounded properly chastised this time, dropping the jokes. “Charlotte, it’s Stella’s birthday tomorrow night.”

That woke Charlotte up a bit. Right. She’d been so busy trying to sort out the antidote that she’d forgotten something this important. It was Stella’s first birthday since she’d left the hospital, the first time she’d really get to celebrate like a normal person. That mattered.

“We’re thinking of throwing her a big party. Here’s the plan…” Andrew laid it all out, his excitement obvious. When he finished, he asked, “So, what do you think?”

Charlotte sat up, rubbing her eyes and still grumpy from being woken up. “Honestly? Not loving it,” she said flatly. “Stella’s not into big parties. Just get a cake and let’s go out to eat. That’s enough.”

“Got it,” Andrew said quickly. “I’ll book us a table now.”

Stella was quiet, always sticking close to Charlotte when they saw each other.

Send someone? Charlotte arched an eyebrow, a lazy smile on her lips. “No need. I’ll just grab something on the way.”

“Just like that?” Anthony laughed again. He scooped Charlotte up and carried her into the bathroom, squeezing toothpaste onto her toothbrush for her. While she brushed her teeth, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, like he couldn’t stand being apart even for a moment.

“The gift might be random,” Charlotte said, her mouth full of minty foam. She looked at Anthony in the mirror, her tone full of smug confidence. “But if it’s from me, it’s priceless.”

“Priceless, huh?” Anthony repeated, his dark eyes glinting with something that looked a lot like pride.