The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes
Chapter 168- the truth

Chapter 168: Chapter 168- the truth

"Don’t worry about me. Has Reyn arranged everything over there? How much longer do we have to wait?" Charles’s hands trembled as he pulled out a cigarette from his pocket. Ever since seeing Trista, the guilt gnawing at his heart had only grown heavier—but right now, he couldn’t afford to think about it.

"I heard Corrine stayed in Italy because of a woman," Shaun answered, snatching the unlit cigarette from Charles’s hand. "Reyn promised to help him find his former lover, that’s why he agreed to operate on Janet. But her body isn’t stable enough to travel abroad yet. We’ll have to wait a bit longer."

Shaun could feel the fear simmering inside Charles. Even he found it hard to accept. Trista needed him, and so did Janet—Charles’s situation was unbearable.

"We can’t wait any longer," Charles said sharply, eyes darkening. "Arrange a private plane. I’ll handle things with the hospital here... but..." His voice faltered, his thoughts turning to the fragile newborn, as delicate as a glass doll.

"You focus on Janet. Angela and I will watch over Trista. She’ll be fine," Shaun said firmly, knowing exactly what Charles was about to say. He had taken care of the backup plan with true brotherly loyalty—letting Charles devote himself fully to what mattered most.

Charles nodded silently, grateful beyond words. Between brothers like them, thanks were never necessary.

Leaving the director’s office, Charles went straight to the ward. From a distance, Angela’s bright laughter floated through the door.

Luckily, they hadn’t told Janet the full truth about Trista’s condition. With her nature, even if Corrine agreed to operate, Janet would never agree to go to Italy knowing the truth.

"The doctor said newborns usually stay in incubators for about a month. Callum was the same," Angela said cheerfully as she sat by the bed. Janet leaned against the pillows, wearing a calm smile and nodding obediently.

"Good girl," Angela praised warmly. But when Charles appeared at the door, she immediately stood up and reminded Janet of a few things before leaving the two alone.

"Charles, I want to see Manfred. Is that okay?" Janet’s voice was quiet but firm.

Since being hospitalized, only Shaun and Brian had been allowed in. Even Janet hadn’t seen Manfred or August except for that one time with Manfred before.

"Why do you want to see him?" Charles’s voice tightened, a pang of jealousy creeping in, but he didn’t refuse. Manfred was different—a debt still owed, in a way.

"Charles, why don’t you stay here? Let Manfred go with me to Italy," Janet said after some hesitation.

Charles thought he had misheard. He convinced her to go to Italy, yet now she wanted to exclude him? Impossible.

"Because I don’t trust leaving Trista alone. She’s so small... she needs you."

If she could, she wouldn’t want to leave his side for a single step. But she had to try—for Charles, for Trista.

She needed to be with them like any normal family, watching over them every moment.

"And what about you? Don’t you need me?" Charles’s face darkened as he shot Janet a sideways glance. He never expected her to make such a request. After all this time he’d held on, he couldn’t bear the thought that at the last moment, some other man would take his place!

"That’s different. Trista is still a child, Charles. Please, promise me—you’ll stay here, okay?" Janet pleaded softly, her voice breaking. She knew it was cruel to him, but she couldn’t be crueler to her daughter. Trista was her treasure, and she wanted to leave her in Charles’s care.

"No. I’m the one who has to go with you. Shaun and Angela are with Trista—she’ll be fine." Charles tried to steady himself, but the fear clawed at his chest. The trip to Italy, the surgery—it was all uncertain. If all went well, there’d be a recovery period, but if rejection happened... the rehab would be long and painful. The thought of those days without her was more than he could bear.

"How can you be so cold to her? You’re Trista’s father! Shaun and Angela aren’t the same." Janet’s eyes glistened with pain. She’d always known Charles felt both joy and bitterness about the baby’s arrival. They were all her whole world, and she hated seeing them hurt.

If she survived, she’d give him back a healthy Janet. If not, she couldn’t bear for him to witness her fading away—she feared what he might do in despair. She had asked him once what he’d do if she was gone; his answer terrified her.

At least if he stayed with Trista, he’d have a tether, a reason to live—if only for their child.

"I won’t agree to anything else. Rest well. One week from now, we leave for Italy together." Janet had just undergone surgery; the craniotomy would leave lasting effects. Seven days was already the absolute limit.

"I won’t go if you don’t stay." Janet’s stubborn pout was disarming. Her large eyes held no malice, but they forced Charles to hesitate—she was threatening him with her life.

"Trista, Trista—you only see your daughter. Have you thought about my feelings?" Charles’s bloodshot eyes darkened as he gripped her shoulders. He dared not be rough, afraid of hurting her.

He stood up in frustration and kicked the tea table aside. The sound of shattering glass and spilled water echoed through the room. But Janet, sitting on the bed, remained calm, looking at him impassively.

"You really know how to hurt me, Janet!" His voice cold, Charles clenched his fists and slammed the door as he left, summoning a nurse without a word.

Janet heard the harsh noise outside. Charles, always so composed, had lost control—that showed how deeply angry and hurt he was. Yet despite everything, she was still his priority. He feared hurting her, so he chose to turn a blind eye.

"Sorry, Charles." Whether selfish or heartless, she truly didn’t want to see him lose control like this. Like when she ran away, hiding the truth—not because she didn’t trust him, but because she loved him so much. She’d rather be cruel now than watch him suffer forever.

Without her, without Trista—no matter how empty the shell—she only wanted him to live well. For her sake.