Chapter 1638

"She said Galen is in a very safe place, and that she didn't send him to his grandmother's. As for where he is, I have no idea," Olivia said.

Contrary to that, Olivia did have a clue. She'd guessed it the day she stopped Lily on the road. She didn't understand Lily's insistence on keeping the secret.

Edward scoffed at this. Olivia almost thought she'd imagined the mockery in his tone. "Aren't you two good friends? How can you not know? After all these years, you still know nothing about her?"

"I had a falling-out with her because of you," Olivia replied, her irritation growing. She stood, frowning, and tossed a towel into the sink.

"I never like to pry into things she doesn't want to discuss."

"So, you're blaming me now?" Edward asked, glancing at her sideways. He took a drag of his cigarette and sighed. "Perhaps I shouldn't have returned."

He stood, casually donned the discarded shirt, and began buttoning it. Olivia panicked, rushing to hug his waist. "No! You can't leave! You can't leave!" She couldn't bear the thought of him leaving again; she'd waited so long for his return.

Edward paused buttoning his shirt, held tightly by her embrace. He sighed, turned, and placed his hands on her shoulders. "I know you and Lily are friends. Alexander and I were in a similar situation."

Olivia, speechless, buried her head in his chest. Edward gently stroked her hair. "You and I are alike," he said softly. "We're sensitive, and because of that, we get hurt. I've risked my life for him countless times, and never regretted it. If he hadn't used me as a shield, I wouldn't believe he was capable of such a thing. Look! Look at this!"

He abruptly pushed her away, pointing to a bullet scar. "This is where the bullet hit me! There are countless scars on my body, but this one...he left it when he pushed me to take the bullet! People are selfish in the face of life and death. Can't you see that?!"

Olivia stared at the healed wound, tears welling. It wasn't just the near-fatal injury; it was his words. She couldn't believe Alexander would push Edward in front of him. Why? Edward would willingly die for him. There was no need for Alexander to do that. It meant he never considered Edward a friend.

Yet, this story came from Edward himself—the man who'd cheated death, returning to tell her this. How could she doubt him? He had no reason to lie.

This also made facing Lily and him difficult. "I know you're kind and wouldn't know how to tell her," Edward said. "That's why I didn't tell you to."

He gently pulled her into his arms again. "Just...leave everything to me!"