Chapter 158

“Stay in the rain any longer, and you’ll catch a cold. Let’s go.” Without saying another word, Amelia grabbed Edith’s hand and pulled her back home.

It was late, and Gloria was already asleep. Amelia personally escorted Edith to her room and instructed the kitchen staff to prepare some hot chocolate to help warm her up.

Worried that Edith might run off again, Amelia prepared the bath herself. Fidgeting nervously, Edith murmured, “I–I can do it myself…”

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell Daniel you’re here. We can talk whenever you’re ready,” Amelia said, her voice gentle and warm.

Edith cast a few envious glances at Amelia before finally heading off to take a bath. ‘She’s beautiful, gentle, and considerate. Who wouldn’t fall for her?’ Edith thought wistfully. ‘If only I were as stunning as Amelia, maybe Daniel wouldn’t find me so plain…’

“Edith, where have you been staying lately?” Amelia asked, standing outside the bathroom door and attempting to engage in conversation.

“In a hotel,” Edith murmured.

Amelia gently asked, “What about today?”

“I’ve run out of cash and I’m too afraid to use digital payments or withdraw money from the bank,” Edith explained.

The Meyers and Zuckerberg families have turned Lunova upside down in their search for her, and they would track her down immediately the moment any online transaction record appeared.

But Amelia couldn’t understand why. If Edith were trying to hide, why would she choose to come to Norava of all places?

Edith hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. “I… I just wanted to see you, that’s all.” Her words trailed off, heavy with embarrassment.

She wanted to see Daniel’s beloved sister for herself, but she realized she didn’t have enough cash. If Amelia hadn’t found her that night, she might have ended up sleeping under a bridge like a homeless person.

Amelia let out a soft sigh and gently said, “Edith, you’re such a wonderful girl. Perhaps you and Daniel just weren’t meant to be, so please don’t feel sad. Someone truly special will come along for someone as amazing as you.”

Edith murmured, “I’m not good enough.” She rested in the warm bathtub, gently stroking her face as silent tears streamed down. “Everyone thinks I’m ugly…”

Amelia firmly reassured her, “You’re not ugly at all!” Concerned, Amelia hurried in and pushed the door open. She was afraid that Edith might harm herself in the bathroom.

Startled by Amelia’s sudden entrance, Edith nearly slipped into the tub. After a moment of frantic splashing and flailing, she managed to regain her balance and sit up straight in the tub.

“I’m sorry, I was worried you might…” Amelia said with an awkward smile, her voice trailing off.

Amelia thought, ‘Any girl would undoubtedly feel heartbroken after experiencing something like this. Who would have imagined that someone as cruel as Joanna could raise such an innocent and kind–hearted girl like Edith?’

“I’m not going to hurt myself, so there’s no need to watch me so closely,” said Edith, fully aware of Amelia’s valid concerns.

At first, she was heartbroken, but eventually, she came to terms with it. Maybe it was for the best that Daniel told the truth before the wedding. If she’d married him unquestioningly, only to learn later it was just a calculated arrangement, he might’ve ended up resenting her for ruining his life.

She didn’t even have a place left to cry. Like any girl, she had once longed for love and a happy marriage. But if it were never real, she would’ve rather stayed away.

“Edith, if there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know,” Amelia said gently.

Edith paused for a moment and softly said, “Please don’t tell anyone I’m in Norava. I’ll only be here for a few days before I leave.”

“Alright,” Amelia agreed.

Edith had just freed herself from a love scam and felt much like Amelia. She wanted to be brave, yet anxiety weighed on her heart as she feared she might still struggle to find happiness. Both women needed time to heal their broken hearts and muster the courage to move forward.

Edith was utterly alone, carrying nothing but a single designer backpack that was now ruined by the rain, leaving everything inside soaked.

Amelia searched through her wardrobe and selected several sets of loose, comfortable clothes for Edith. She favored simple, understated styles, with all her loungewear made of soft cotton in light, muted colors.

Since childhood, Edith had always adored vibrant colors, so it felt quite unusual for her to wear such understated clothes for the first time. However, when she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she paused. ‘I… I don’t look so bad after all…’

“Come on, let’s enjoy some hot chocolate to warm you up,” Amelia smiled. “And while we’re at it, you can meet my husband.”

Landon was already aware that a special guest had arrived and was patiently waiting in the living room. Meanwhile, he reflected on the recent events in his mind.

“Honey, this is Edith,” Amelia said with a smile.

Landon raised an eyebrow and gave a faint smile. “Hello, Miss Meyers.”

“Hello…” Edith murmured nervously as she assessed him quietly.

‘Devastatingly handsome yet intimidating, he seemed far from approachable,’ Edith thought. Her gaze then shifted to Amelia, who was gentle and graceful. Edith reflected, ‘Together, they embody the combination of steel and silk.’

Edith couldn’t help but think, ‘It’s a pity that he struggles to walk… Yet, for him to inspire such devoted love in Amelia despite his physical challenges, he must truly possess some remarkable qualities.’

Edith wasn’t the scheming type; her curiosity was evident on her face. “Miss Meyers, it seems you’ve been through a lot lately. Since you’re visiting Norava, let Amy show you around,” Landon said, his tone measured–this was about as warm as he ever got with strangers.

Edith still felt somewhat intimidated by Landon. Nervously shaking her head, she murmured, “I’m afraid I’ll be a bother to both of you. I could stay at a hotel instead.”

“Considering your unique situation, it isn’t safe for you to stay alone at a hotel. I must prioritize your safety,” Landon said.

Edith shot Amelia an uneasy look, and only after seeing her nod did she finally say, “Thank you, then.”

The staff brought in two cups of hot chocolate. Without hesitation, Edith downed one.

Amelia frowned at the cup and said, “But I didn’t even get caught in the rain; I don’t need to drink this.”

Lowering his head, Landon coaxed softly, his voice filled with warmth and tenderness: “Please be good and drink it, even if you’ve just come in from the cold wind.”

“Honestly, this was supposed to be for Edith,” Amelia protested, “but you insisted that I drink it…” Nevertheless, she complied and finished the hot chocolate.

Landon gently wiped her lips with a napkin, a pleased smile playing on his face. “That’s my girl,” he said softly.

Edith watched them with intense envy. ‘This is what true love looks like,’ she thought.

Kingsley Manor radiated warmth and harmony. The following morning, when Gloria discovered a guest had arrived, she greeted them with boundless enthusiasm. Edith felt nearly overwhelmed by the warm hospitality until Amelia stepped in with a convenient excuse to go shopping.

Once they arrived at the mall, Amelia finally recognized the truth–Edith wasn’t unattractive at all; she had a poor sense of fashion. As the saying goes, clothes make the person.

Edith wasn’t unattractive because of her face; it was her poor fashion choices that let her down. Both her clothing and makeup were painfully tacky. Unable to tolerate it any longer, Amelia decided to step in. “Edith, this dress has such a soft color–it would look amazing on you. Why don’t you give it a try?”

Edith held onto the bright red dress and inquired, determined not to let go, “Isn’t this one beautiful?”

Amelia sighed and commented gently, “It’s fine, but I don’t think it captures your true essence. Why not try them all on?”

“Alright,” Edith said. She tried them on and, to her surprise, they looked pretty good on her.

“Amelia, you have such wonderful taste,” Edith said, admiring herself in the mirror. The more she looked, the more satisfied she became. “I don’t look nearly as plain as I thought.”

“You’re not plain at all,” Amelia said with a warm smile. “There are no ugly women in this world, only those who haven’t yet discovered their unique style.”

Edith flushed with embarrassment and confessed, “I struggle with dressing myself properly and choosing the right clothes.”

“Perhaps it’s simply the influence of your surroundings,” Amelia said gently, offering her reassurance. She then selected a few more outfits for her to try on, and Edith was thrilled with every single one.

At checkout, Edith reached for her card, but Amelia was quicker. “Amelia, this isn’t exactly cheap…” Edith said hesitantly.

“A welcome gift,” Amelia said with a gentle smile. “Thanks to Maisie, I was able to recover. Since you’re her cousin, that makes you my cousin as well.”

“You’re kind as well,” Edith sighed.

“You too.” Amelia smiled. “The conflicts between our elders shouldn’t affect us.”

They were supposed to be family, living together in harmony. However, when the elders created conflict, it complicated their lives.

“Come on, let’s keep shopping!” Amelia said.

“Alright,” Edith replied.

By the end of the day, Edith’s arms were full of shopping bags, and her heart felt unexpectedly warm toward Amelia. The two had slipped into an easy rhythm, talking like longtime friends. At one point, Amelia asked with interest, “Who usually goes shopping with you?”

“Giovanna,” Edith said.

Amelia thought in surprise, ‘The Hughes family? After what happened with my mother, are the Hughes and the Meyers families still on speaking terms?’