Chapter 614
The voices downstairs fell silent instantly, and then Edward walked over to the stairs and looked up at me. He had already hung up his phone and said, โCome on down.โ
I went downstairs, my heart pounding, and asked him anxiously, โWho were you talking to?โ โIsabelleโs grandfather,โ Edward replied. โHe wants to keep things quiet.โ
My face went white. If anyone could just mess up and get forgiven like itโs nothing, this world would be total chaos. โRelax. Thereโs no way Iโm letting this go,โ Edward said, his voice steady and full of resolve, like he could see right through my worries. โEdward, if I end up pissing off the Lynn family, will it come back to bite you?โ I asked. Sure, I wanted payback, but if the price was more than I could handle, where was I supposed to find the guts to go through with it?
Isabelle wasnโt just coming after meโshe was going for the people I care about most. โVictoria, youโre just a poor thing who got dragged into this mess. I donโt let people walk all over me, you get that? This isnโt just Isabelle targeting youโsheโs using you to slap me in the face,โ Edward said, reaching out to ruffle my hair. โIf we donโt settle this, itโll be a stain on the Jennings familyโs reputation.โ
My chest tightened, and I stared at Edward, eyes flickering with surprise. So this is how he saw what happened to me; he really understood my humiliation. โThanksโฆโ I murmured, even though Iโd said it so many times before. But right now, having someone in my corner like this made me feel truly safe. โThe Lynn family wanted Isabelle to come over and apologize, but I refused,โ Edward said. I gave a wry smile. โI donโt need her apology. Itโs not like sheโd mean it anyway.โ Edward grinned. โExactly.โ
Edwardโs phone rang again. He glanced at the screen, his brows knitting together. โItโs my dad.โ I was startled, my breath catching as I looked at him. For some reason, the fact that Edward actually told me who was calling sent an unexpected surge of trust through me, like a jolt of electricity sparking inside. Edward picked up the call and walked out toward the courtyard. I didnโt follow. Instead, I fixed myself a cup of hot water and cradled it in my hands, watching Edward stand in the golden sunlight. Thatโs when I noticed he looked different todayโdressed in a classic black suit and crisp white shirt, tall and straight, like a pillar of strength beside me.
As I tipped the water into my mouth a little too fast, I didnโt even have time to swallowโit went straight down the wrong pipe. I clutched my chest and started coughing hard. Edward suddenly turned to look at me, a worried look flashing in his eyes. A moment later, he came back in, spotted the coffee cup in my hand, and grinned. โSeriously? You managed to choke on water?โ โGuess my mind was somewhere else,โ I muttered, feeling kind of awkward.
Edwardโs tone suddenly grew serious. โMy dad said Miss Chamberlain called him first thing this morning. She was worried because she couldnโt reach Ryan last nightโhis phone was off, and she thought something mightโve happened to him.โ My face instantly went pale at the mention of Ryan. I blurted out, barely thinking, โReally? You donโt have to tell me about that.โ Edward watched my reaction for a moment. โAlright, I wonโt bring it up again. Iโll go talk to Ryan myself.โ โTalk about what?โ I snapped my head up to look at him, worry clear in my voice. Edwardโs face, which had just relaxed, tensed up again at my anxious tone. โYou still care about him, donโt you?โ I didnโt say anything.
Suddenly, I felt irritated and turned my back to him. โDo you really have to keep testing me all the time? Edward, donโt you realize how messed up that is?โ Edward looked surprised for a second, then gave a wry smile. โSorry, sometimes stuff just slips out before I even realize it.โ โYou know Ryan and I are never going to see each other again, and thereโs zero chance of anything happening between us. This whole thing is pointless,โ I said, walking over to the couch and sitting down, burying my face in my hands. โI donโt like him anymore, and I donโt want to think about him. Just stop bringing him up, okay?โ Edward walked over, bent down, and pulled my hands away from my face. โReally? Then why are you covering your face?โ I looked into his eyes, thinking, โEdward, you really are so damn bossy.โ โAre you going out or not?โ I snapped, annoyed. Edward finally let go of my fingers. โIโm heading out for a bit, but Iโll be back early.โ As he spoke, he straightened his cufflinks and said, โIf you need anything, just call me.โ โIโll have someone bring you breakfast. Is there anything else you want? Iโll grab it for you,โ Edward said, sounding totally natural. Victoria stared at him, suddenly taken aback. โWait a secondโฆ why does this feel so much like having a husband?โ she thought.