Chapter 740

He asked me to come to Braylin–he wanted to see me and told me not to mention it to Edward.

Getting a call like that so early in the morning startled me wide awake.

I didn’t tell Jared what was really going on. I just asked him to come pick up Yvonne, saying I had something to handle.

Jared showed up looking totally baffled, asking what was so urgent, but I just kept quiet.

After he left with Yvonne, I was so on edge that I paced back and forth in the living room a couple of times.

Jeffrey Jennings had told me not to tell Edward.

Did that mean if Edward found out, it would mess up this meeting?

No way. If I just showed up in Braylin without saying anything and Jeffrey Jennings got mad, I could be in serious trouble.

I wasn’t about to be stupid and put myself in danger alone.

I called Edward.

When he heard my voice, he sounded genuinely surprised and happy. “Victoria, you’re finally answering me.”

“Your dad wants to see me. He asked me to go to Braylin today and told me not to let you know. Edward, did I mess up big time?” I asked, my voice tinged with panic.

Edward was clearly caught off guard. “Where are you right now? I’ll come get you.”

“Will you come with me to Braylin? If your dad tries anything, will you have my back?” I asked, my voice full of anxiety.

“Don’t worry, I’ll go with you. My dad wouldn’t dare touch you. Mariah’s in Northport now, and with her there, nothing’s gonna happen to you,” Edward reassured me, then asked again, “Where are you?”

I told Edward about what I’d been doing in Shaville, and he immediately gave me attitude. “So the moment we split, you go hide out in Shaville?”

“No, I just took my daughter to Disneyland,” I explained.

Edward sounded a little jealous. “Was it just you and your daughter?”

“And my ex-husband,” I quietly admitted.

Edward took a long breath–I couldn’t tell what he was feeling. “Wait for me, I’m coming over.”

By the time Edward showed up at my apartment complex, it was already noon.

I rushed downstairs to meet him. He was sitting in the car, his expression cold and unreadable.

“Why does your dad want to see me? Is it because he saw that video of me and your mom paying respects?” I asked, worry clear in my voice.

“I can’t figure out what he’s thinking either. Let’s just head to Braylin and see what happens,” Edward said, then turned to the driver. “Take us to the airport.”

“I haven’t even bought my ticket yet,” I said.

Edward just waved it off. “I’ve got a private jet. It’s already cleared–we can fly straight to Braylin.”

I blinked, then remembered–Edward was seriously rich.

His private jet was a sleek gray Gulfstream G650, usually used for business flights, and the interior was seriously luxurious.

“Don’t worry. My dad’s probably just curious about us and wants to get the story straight from you,” Edward said gently, taking my cool fingers in his hand to comfort me.

I nodded.

Edward lowered his gaze to me. “Are you still mad at me?”

I pressed my lips together. “No, I’m not mad anymore.”

Edward was quiet for a moment, then suddenly said, “I was a bit harsh yesterday. Don’t let it get to you.”

“No, you were right. I’m just a coward when it comes to feelings. I never say no, never take responsibility—that’s just being disloyal and unfair in love,” I said, thinking back on last night. I realized I’d really been a jerk.

“Some people don’t even have to try, and they still have tons of people wanting to get close to them,” Edward said, his eyes soft as he looked at me. “If you ever took the initiative, no guy could ever escape you.”

I stared at him, totally incredulous. “You’re giving me way too much credit.”

Edward shook his head. “My mom says the same thing. She thinks you have a special kind of beauty—something that reminds her of herself when she was young.”

It’s probably because now I actually put real effort into my looks, instead of just letting myself go and turning ordinary like I did in my previous life.

Turns out, when you really invest in yourself, people notice.

“So, you fell for me just because I’m good-looking?” I teased, grinning at him.

“Guilty as charged,” Edward admitted with a smile. “Your looks got me interested, but it’s your heart that made me stay.”