Chapter 655

Edward looked like I’d just punched him in the gut. His handsome features were drawn. "Not the way you acted before," I thought. "I thought you didn’t hate me."

I took a shaky breath and lied through my teeth. “Yeah, you’ve helped me so much, honestly.”

“So, everything you agreed to do with me before… was it just to repay me?” His body, or Commander’s frame, swayed, and he took a step back.

I lowered my gaze to the floor, my fingers gripping my purse behind my back. "Considering everything you’ve done for me, I had to show my appreciation somehow."

Edward looked devastated. His face turned ghostly pale, and he spun around and walked away.

Watching him leave in such a hurry, my heart felt like it was being pricked over and over.

I knew he was genuine, and he never gave me anything less than his whole heart.

But knowing there could never be anything real between us… stringing him along, keeping those feelings alive, it just made me feel like a terrible person.

It was better to just say no, straight up and clear. That way, I wouldn’t waste his time, and wouldn't play with him.

My afternoon classes got canceled, so I flagged down a cab and headed to the British Museum.

After wandering around for a while, I walked out not really sure how I felt. All that ancient stuff… honestly, words couldn’t do it justice.

With that weird feeling still lingering, I headed back to my place.

I wasn’t sure if it was because I hadn’t been eating much these days, but I’d definitely gotten sick.

Around eight, my head was spinning and I was feeling totally out of it, like I was coming down with a cold.

Elaine was out, cursing her ex just yesterday, but tonight she was out with her friends for another night out. She sent a saying she wouldn’t be home tonight.

I got up to look for some medicine. I remembered packing a few things before I left.

I made myself a cup of Tylenol Cold & Flu, drank it down, and then crawled back into bed.

I was drifting in and out of sleep, my whole body heavy and sluggish, when suddenly, someone knocked.

I sat up and glanced at the clock. It was already 9:30 at night.

Who would come by at this hour?

Being sick just made me feel even weaker. The medicine wasn’t helping at all, and I was embarrassingly hoping it was him.

I made my way to the door and peeked through the peephole. There was a tall figure standing outside.

I opened the door. Edward was there, and it looked like he’d been drinking. He leaned against the wall, his gaze lowered as he looked at me.

“What are you doing here?” My voice was hoarse.

“Why is your face so red?” Edward immediately noticed something was wrong. He reached out and pressed his hand to my forehead. “You’re burning up.”

I shivered. This cold was coming on strong, and the usual medicine just wasn’t working.

“I think I’m coming down with something,” I mumbled, taking a step back, feeling weak.

Edward brushed past me and strode straight into my room.

Totally thrown off, I rushed after him and almost ran into him at the doorway. He was holding one of my jackets.

“If you keep dragging this out, you’re just going to get sicker. Come with me,” Edward said in a low, urgent voice.

“Where are we going?” I asked, my head spinning.

“I’ll have my doctor come check on you,” Edward said, draping my jacket over my shoulders. Then he grabbed my hand—my fingers were freezing.

“Edward, I can’t keep owing you,” I said, feeling miserable. As much as I needed help, I just couldn’t bring myself to ask for it.

After what I said at the Manor Hotel today, I’d hurt him too much. There was no way to fix it now.

“You’re this sick and still worried about favors?” Edward suddenly snapped. “Victoria, what you said this afternoon really hurt, but I’m over it now.”

I was stunned, looking up at him.

Edward continued, “Whether you’re just trying to pay me back or you actually have feelings for me, I’m not giving up that easily. I don’t want to get old and regret not giving this a shot.”

My eyes lingered on his face—he was so earnest, so full of feeling.

“Edward, I…” I wanted to say something, but my mind just went totally blank.

“Let’s put the feelings talk on hold. First, let’s get you healthy,” Edward said, clearly not wanting to argue. He really was the definition of calm and caring.

I followed him to the car, and on the ride over, I drifted off, feeling totally out of it.

My skin was burning hot, but deep down, my bones felt so cold I couldn’t stop shivering.