Chapter 19 Giving It a Try

Charlotte wasn't easily swayed by sweet talk anymore. Yet, faced with Luke's earnestness, she found herself saying, "We could give it a try, maybe." Luke broke into a wide grin upon hearing her agreement, his words jumbling together in his excitement. "I promise not to let you down. Just trust me on this." A smile crept onto Charlotte's face as well. "Alright." "I guess I should head out now." But as Luke turned to leave, Charlotte called out to him, "I've been meaning to give this to you. I got it before I came to see you. After the fancy necklace you gave me, I thought I should give you something too." Luke cherished the tie she gave him, holding it dearly. "I'm really touched by your gift." "It's not much, but it's from the heart." He shook his head gently. "It means a lot to me." Charlotte shared with Luke about the unsettling encounter at the mall. Promptly, Luke got in touch with his assistant, instructing him to warn Frank against causing further disturbances. His proactive approach helped prevent any additional turmoil. Public scrutiny was weighing heavily on Charlotte; despite her outward resilience, the relentless exposure was emotionally draining. "I'll come by to pick you up tomorrow. Make sure you get some rest." Charlotte nodded. "Same to you." In their bedroom, Andy and Lilya were restless, filled with questions. Sofia, aware of their unease, realized sleep wouldn't come easily to them tonight. Andy, especially, was troubled by the recent encounter with Luke who bore a striking resemblance to him. "Is that guy really our daddy?" Sofia, patting them gently, hoped to ease them into sleep and away from such inquiries. "It appears so." "But why hasn't he been around?" Sofia understood that Andy couldn't be easily misled. "Your mommy didn't realize he was your daddy initially. These things will make more sense when you're older." Andy, sensing the complexity of the situation, ceased his questions. Returning inside, Charlotte looked lost in thought. She sat alone in the living room, lost in her own world, until she remembered to check on the children. In the bedroom, she found Andy and Lilya already fast asleep. "You've really been through a lot." Sofia let out a gentle sigh. Charlotte bit her lip, then opened up about her recent conversation. "Luke suggested we should try being together." Sofia's face brightened a bit at this. "And what did you say? If the children are indeed his, it's not a bad thing for him. You've been shouldering the burden of raising two kids on your own for years. It's high time you had some support." Charlotte had said yes, but her heart was torn. "I just don't think it's fair to him. I chose to be in this situation. He wants to take responsibility, but I don't see why he should." Sofia handed Charlotte a glass of water. "You're letting conventional thoughts tie you down. If you've agreed to try, then go ahead. Luke is a decent man, no scandals in all these years." "That's why I feel like it's unfair to him." "But do you have any feelings for him? Even the slightest?" "Yes, I do. It's difficult not to be affected by a man as wonderful as him. He's been there for me so many times. How could I not feel something?" "See, that's the right attitude." Sofia encouraged her. "You're burdened by guilt, thinking you're troubling him. But he doesn't see it like that, does he?" Charlotte was aware of the trustworthiness in Luke and his family. The way Luke's parents, Linda and Andrew, remained composed upon learning about her past and the allegations against her was reassuring. They listened intently to Luke's explanations and showed sincere happiness meeting Andy and Lilya, clearly rooting for Luke and Charlotte. However, Charlotte's struggle was internal. Despite having evidence to prove her innocence, she doubted if others would accept it. The presence of the children's biological father added to her worries about intensifying public scrutiny, potentially affecting Luke. "I think I need more time to decide." Charlotte was hesitant. "You don't need to overthink it. You've already said yes, so why not just go for it?" Sofia gave her a supportive pat on the shoulder. "I have faith in you." The aftermath of a troubled night was evident on Charlotte's face as she greeted the new day. Sofia, noticing the dark circles under her eyes, expressed her concern immediately. "Did all the excitement keep you awake?" Charlotte shook her head. "No, just a bad dream. Nothing to be excited about." "Well, don't forget you owe me a steak lunch. I'll be coming by at noon to make sure you pay up." Charlotte, still brushing her teeth, replied vaguely, "You haven't forgotten that?" "Absolutely not. I'll be there, and no excuses." Despite her mood, Charlotte mustered a small smile. "I wouldn't skip it." Promptly, Luke arrived at Sofia's door. He waited patiently, well aware of the time women often take to prepare. He had arrived with breakfast for Charlotte, showcasing his thoughtfulness, and sported the tie she had given him. Luke, while not well-versed in romance, was sincere in his intentions, his dating history limited but earnest. Charlotte, after settling into the car, cut straight to the chase. "I brought hair samples from the kids. I think we should get a DNA test done right away." Luke looked surprised. "That's not necessary. I'm certain they're my kids." Charlotte, however, was firm on the matter. "It might seem trivial to you, but given what I've been through, I believe it's best to be sure." Luke understood where she was coming from. In their situation, without tangible proof, doubts could linger in the eyes of others. "Okay, we'll do the DNA test first." He then offered her the breakfast he had thoughtfully brought along, placed on the back seat. "Haven't had breakfast yet?" Charlotte had eaten, but she didn't want to dismiss his kindness and accepted the meal. "Thanks for this." Luke's mood was notably uplifted today. Before Charlotte, the idea of a romantic relationship hadn't crossed his mind. Now, he found the experience surprisingly rewarding.