Defiant Love 22

Chapter 22 

Charlotte’s POV: 

I stormed out of the Kingsley mansion, blood rushing to my head after the confrontation with Victoria. That woman was simply impossible! The way she looked at me, like I was something stuck to the bottom of her designer shoes… I couldn’t 

take it anymore. 

Where could I even go? Think, Charlotte, think. 

Lily Morgan, my best friend, would help me. Without hesitation, I started walking toward her apartment. 

When I arrived at Lily’s building and she opened the door, the tears I’d been holding back finally broke free. 

“Lily, can I stay here tonight?” My voice trembled pathetically. 

She pulled me into a warm embrace without hesitation. “What kind of silly question is that? You can stay here forever if you need to.” 

Once inside, she sat me down and handed me a tissue. “Charlotte, what happened? Did Alexander hurt you?” 

I nodded, then shook my head, unable to explain clearly. 

“Look, I know you don’t want to worry Uncle William and Aunt Elizabeth, but you’re talking to me. You don’t need to be so guarded.” 

“I got into a fight with Victoria,” I finally admitted. 

“Did you fight back? Are you hurt?” she asked, almost hopefully. 

“No, Victoria got the worst of it.” 

Lily’s eyes filled with determination. “That’s fine, Eric always says self–defense is perfectly legal.” 

Lily’s reassurance made me laugh out loud. 

Later that evening, Eric Morgan returned home from his shift at the police station. 

Seeing him return, Lily immediately pounced, snatching the paper bag from his hands. Her delighted squeal echoed through the apartment. “Wow!” 

“You’re the best brother in the world,” Lily beamed. 

Eric handed her the bag with a gentle smile. “It’s sugar–free.” 

“You two talk,” he told me kindly. “I have work to finish.” 

In her room, Lily proudly displayed the bubble tea Eric had smuggled home. I reminded her, “You shouldn’t drink too much 

-your teeth…” 

“Don’t worry,” she waved away my concern, “Eric said it’s sugar–free.” 

1/4 

We stayed up late, talking and laughing like we used to. For those precious few hours, I forgot I was Mrs. Alexander Kingsley. I was just Charlotte, free to be myself. It felt so liberating. 

The next day at noon, after learning that the Kingsley family had been searching for me all night, I reluctantly returned to the Kingsley estate, Standing before the massive doors, I took a deep breath, maintaining my composure, steeling myself. 

When I walked in, Alexander’s eyes snapped open, watching me intently from where he sat in the living room. I approached cautiously, feeling the thick tension in the air. 

Richard Kingsley’s voice cut through the silence like a knife. “Out all night without a word? Are you deliberately defying 

“I went to a friend’s house,” I explained, trying to keep my voice steady. “After I got there, I realized I’d forgotten my phone, so I couldn’t call.” 

“That’s no excusel” he snapped. 

I bit my lip, choosing silence. 

“Charlotte Cole, do you think you did anything wrong?” Richard demanded. 

Victoria remained silent, watching with a smug expression. Alexander’s gaze never left my face. 

1 straightened my spine. “No, I don’t think I was wrong.” 

“Then you’ll go to the reflection room until you understand your mistake,” Richard ordered, then called out, “Morris, take her to the reflection room.” 

The kind butler Morris tried to intervene. “Sir, Charlotte is too young, she…” 

“Are you questioning my decision too?” Richard’s glare silenced Morris. 

At the door of the reflection room, Morris made one last attempt. “Mrs. Kingsley, if you apologize to Mr. Kingsley, you won’t have to go in.” 

“Thank you for your concern, Morris, but I still believe I did nothing wrong,” I replied, then closed the door myself. 

The room was pitch black. I fumbled around until I found the light switch, illuminating the cramped space of less than twenty square meters. 

I sighed, reflecting on the turbulence of the past few days. There was nothing here, nothing I could do. So, I sat against the wall and waited. 

Back in the living room, Alexander was making his position clear. “I’ve given you all enough respect. Let me make something very clear now. Charlotte is my wife. Respecting her means respecting me. If you find her presence here so displeasing, we can leave immediately.” 

Victoria tried to defend herself. “Alexander, you saw everything. You know who’s right and who’s wrong.” 

Alexander’s gaze turned icy. “Even if she were right, did you apologize? Even if she were wrong, Victoria, do you expect me to criticize my own wife? Dream on.” 

He left the living room, heading straight for the reflection room. At the door, he commanded the servant, “Open it.” 

2/4 

Chapter 22 

Inside, I heard Alexander’s voice. 

“Mr. Kingsley ordered Charlotte to reflect. Without his permission, we cannot open it,” the servant refused. 

“There’s no place in this house I can’t go,” Alexander replied sarcastically. 

He kicked open the door. I jumped back, startled. 

“Do you enjoy being in here?” he asked, entering the room. 

1 shook my head. 

“Then come out,” he said calmly. 

I hesitated, unsure what to do. 

Alexander bent down, grabbed my arm, and pulled me up, leading me out. 

In the living room, we faced Richard again. 

“Alexander! Is this how you show respect?” Richard was furious. 

“Letting you lock her in there was respectful enough. Even if only for a few minutes,” Alexander replied coolly, pulling me upstairs. 

I couldn’t help but contemplate the obvious tension between father and son. 

In our bedroom, Alexander finally released my hand. “Didn’t you want to leave the Kingsley house? Pack your things. We’re leaving tonight.” 

I could hardly believe my ears. “What? You really agree?” 

“For everyone’s sanity, you need to leave as soon as possible,” he explained. 

“If you’d said that earlier, we could have avoided all this drama,” I muttered. 

I quickly packed my belongings, which weren’t many. Alexander’s phone rang–it was Elliot calling. 

“What is it?” Alexander answered. 

“Brother, did you find your runaway wife?” Elliot asked. 

Alexander glanced at me. “Want to meet her?” 

“Of course! I came back specifically to help you find your wife,” Elliot replied enthusiastically. 

“Bring Jake too,” Alexander instructed. 

“Are you going out?” I asked softly. 

Elliot’s curious voice came through the phone: “Wow, Alexander, is that your wife’s voice or your new girlfriend?” 

3/4 

Chapter 22 

Alexander hung up and turned to me. “Finish packing. I need to deal with someone. I’ll come back for you tonight.” 

“Alright, I’ll wait for you,” I replied obediently. 

I watched him leave, then plugged in my phone to charge. I needed to let Lily know I was safe. 

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