Lahat ng Kabanata ng A Second Chance with My Husband in the Past: Kabanata 171 - Kabanata 180

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, spilling Howard and Charlotte into the hushed elegance of their penthouse floor hallway. Moonlight streamed through a narrow window at the far end. Howard's arm was already circling her waist, his large hand splaying possessively over the curve of her hip as he drew her close, the heat of his body chasing away the night's chill.Before she could catch her breath from their roadside kiss, he spun her gently but firmly, backing her against the cool wall with a thud that echoed their racing pulses. Charlotte's hazel eyes sparkled up at him, a playful smile curving her lips—radiant, teasing, alive with the thrill of the chase she knew was coming. Howard loomed over her, his piercing blue gaze darkening with hunger, one hand braced beside her head as he leaned in, lips hovering inches from hers.She ducked at the last second, twisting free with a breathless laugh, her fingers brushing his chest in fleeting defiance before she darted toward th

Six weeks had passed in a whirlwind of recovery and routine. Max's rare heart surgery—a delicate marathon of precision mapping and repair—had been a resounding success, his tiny chest rising steadily now, color returning to his cheeks.Max sat propped up in his bed, a bundle of energy despite the IV line snaking from his arm, his eyes glued to the TV where his favorite cartoon blared—bright explosions and goofy heroes chasing villains across the screen. Balloons bobbed in Charlotte's grip,vibrant reds and blues straining against helium strings; a bursting bouquet of daisies and ssunflowers wascradled in one arm, their fresh petals a promise of spring; and clutched in her other hhand wasa shiny new action figure from his beloved show, complete with a cape and laser sword."Surprise, my brave warrior!" Charlotte beamed, her voice warm and melodic as she stepped in, hazel eyes sparkling with uncontained delight. She had called Ryan earlier, her trusted friend and confidant, to share this

The ward was dim, the overhead lights reduced to a dull, clinical hum that made the machines feel louder than they really were. Heart monitors beeped in slow, steady pulses, but the rhythm was wrong—too slow, too shallow—as if the old man lying in the bed were borrowing time rather than living it. Howard stood at the foot of the bed, his hands braced against the metal rail, knuckles white. His shoulders were rigid, his jaw tight enough to crack teeth, and his blue eyes were locked on Grandpa Wendell’s pale face, as if staring at him long enough could force him back to life.Charlotte stood beside him, one hand lightly resting on his arm, the other gripping the edge of the bed like it was the only thing keeping her upright. Her hazel eyes were red and swollen, streaks of mascara dried beneath them, but the tears still came—soft, silent drops she couldn’t hold back any longer. The hospital smell—bleach, antiseptic, and faint traces of blood—wrapped around her like a memory. She knew thi

The cemetery was quiet, the sky a soft, mournful gray that matched the weight in everyone’s chest. Rows of graves stretched out beneath bare winter trees, the air cool and still. Wendell Carter’s polished mahogany casket sat on the lowering device, draped in the family crest, the priest’s voice low and measured as he murmured a final prayer. Howard stood at the edge of the circle, shoulders hunched, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his black suit, his jaw tight enough to crack. His blue eyes were glassy, hollow, and fixed on the casket like he was trying to will it not to sink into the earth.Charlotte stood beside him, her fingers lightly gripping his arm, her body trembling. Her hazel eyes were red and swollen, her black dress fluttered in the light breeze, her hair was pinned back, and her face was pale and drawn. Behind her, her parents stood solemn and quiet—Rita, small but composed, her eyes misty; and Steven, broad and solemn, one hand resting lightly on Brian’s should

A few days earlier, Elena stepped out of the building, her shoulders aching from a long day of scrubbing counters and folding linens in Howard's pristine penthouse. The evening air hit her like a cool wave, carrying the faint hum of city traffic as she adjusted her worn purse and started toward home.She'd barely crossed the threshold onto the sidewalk when a sleek black sedan pulled up sharp, blocking her path. The driver's door swung open, and a woman stepped out—tall, blonde, dressed in a tailored coat that screamed money. Elena froze, blinking in confusion."Hi," the woman said, her voice warm as honey, lips curving into a disarming smile. "I'm Anastasia Carter. You work for Howard, don't you? He told me all about you—how honest and hardworking you are."Elena stared, her brows knitting together, caught off guard by the familiarity. The name rang a bell, but the face didn't click right away.Anastasia tilted her head, reading her like an open book. "You're wondering who I am, righ