bChapter /bb649 /b

    It was like I’d been struck by lightning–suddenly, I snapped out of my daze.

    Edward hadn’t expected Ryan to call right then, and the surprise was written all over his face.

    He cleared his throat, his voice less hoarse now, and said to me, “I need to take this.”

    Without a word, I scrambled off hisp and bolted to my bedroom.

    The moment I got into my room, I changed out of my dress and slipped into somefy loungewear before heading back

    out.

    Edward looked like he had something important to talk about, and it was obvious he didn’t want to discuss it in front of ollime. /li/ol

    He opened the door and walked out.

    I went into the kitchen, poured myself a ss of water, and took a sip–the dryness in my mouth finally eased up.

    The next second, I leaned against the kitchen door, feeling uneasy and on edge.

    It’s not that I minded being with Edward. The real problem was, he was Uncle Ryan to Ryan.

    That connection felt like a shackle of morality, locking me in ce.

    Maybe I could just forget about right and wrong, but even if I chose to be with Edward, would the Jennings family ever

    allow it?

    If I really went through with this, the price would be more than I could ever bear.

    Edward stepped back inside after finishing his call.

    His eyes lingered on me, deep and searching, but I could only stare at the floor, avoiding his gaze. “You should go,” I said quietly.

    I was doneing up with excuses. He really couldn’t stay here any longer.

    Maybe things got a little too heated just now, because Edward still hadn’t quite recovered.

    He spoke up, his voice steady but a bit tense. “I’m heading back to the United Kingdom tomorrow. Ryan and Fiona’s wedding is happening in three days.”

    I lifted my gaze to him, startled. My feelings were clouded, hard to describe, but somehow, it all felt like it no longer had anything to do with me.

    “Mm.” I just took it as him letting me know, and I heard him, that’s all.

    Edward walked over, reaching out as if to take my arm.

    Instinctively, I leaned back, and his hand hung awkwardly in the air.

    12

    b13:20 /bbWed/b, 17 bSept /b

    That little move made it clear to him where I stood.

    He was clearly let down, but he also seemed calmer and more clear–headed than before.

    “Then… wait for me,” he said before leaving.

    € 499

    I looked up at his figure in the doorway, the urge burning inside me to yell, “I’m not waiting for you!” But I kept it to

    myself.

    But I couldn’t get the words out.

    Edward paused at the door, gave me onest look, then quietly closed it behind him.

    My legs felt like jelly as I flopped onto the couch. The moment I closed my eyes, everything that just happened kept reying in my mind, searing itself into my memory.

    ‘This is insane. What the hell was I thinking, getting involved with Edward?‘ I couldn’t believe I’d actually let it happen.

    I dashed into the shower. I always took steaming hot showers before, but this time, I cranked the water to ice–cold, letting it pour over me from head to toe, hoping the chill would wash away everything.

    I could feel the heat in my veins slowly ebbing away, bit by bit.

    I guess I really did end up taking a cold shower after all.

    Ryan’s wedding would be formal but kept under the radar, only whispered about among their exclusive circle of elites. Outsiders wouldn’t even get a glimpse.

    Leaning against the icy wall, I let the water stream down as I closed my eyes. I could almost picture the whole scene- Ryan, looking absolutely stunning as the groom.

    I clicked my tongue and let out a lowugh, shaking my head. ‘None of them ever really stayed. Whatever mess they left behind, it’ll all blow over in the end.‘

    Early the next morning, Nathan called and told me he was catching the earliest flight back home to Aurelia–he had a big meeting to run over there.

    I knew his schedule was insane, but even so, he still managed to squeeze in a trip to the United Kingdom just to keep mepany for a while.

    With Edward and Nathan both gone, it was like the credits had rolled and the lights came back on–reality hit me all over

    again.

    I called Aiden to see how things were going between him and Sophia.

    It felt like he’d had a sudden wake–up call–he really seemed a lot more mature now.

    “Sis, she’s out of a job, and I heard she can’t even reach that guy anymore. She took out some loans, and now she wants to get back together with me,” Aiden said.

    Honestly, I knew Sophia was never going to get that lucky–there was no way she’d spark some grand romance bwith /ba

    married, middle–aged guy. Even if she was willing, it’s not like he’d ever really want her back.

    She ended up in this mess because her ambition got the better of her, and she just couldn’t see people for who they really

    bwere/b.

    “So, are you thinking about taking her back?” I asked, a little worried. Aiden used to be head over heels for Sophia–he’d spend almost everything he had on her.

    “No way,” Aiden replied, a hint of bitterness in his voice. “I’ve finally seen her true colors. Maybe she only liked me for my money. If you ask me whether she ever really cared about me as a person… I seriously doubt it.”

    I nodded. “She was never really honest with you anyway. Just focus on your career for now.”

    bAD /b