Chapter 747

“Well, if that’s how you feel, that’s good enough,” Vivian said, leaving it at that.

We spent half an hour drinking coffee and talking about life. In the end, I got a definite yes from Vivian.

When we got back to the main hall, Ryan was already gone. Edward, dressed in a suit, was sitting on the couch, giving Jeffrey a work update.

When Edward saw Vivian and me, his eyes lit up and he stood up.

Jeffrey looked over as well, then got to his feet. Vivian stepped forward and took his arm. “Come on, I’ll go with you to meet your old friends for coffee.”

Jeffrey nodded. “Alright.”

With that, Jeffrey left with Vivian. Edward looked at me, curiosity in his eyes. “So, what did you and Mariah talk about?”

As I looked at him, my heart suddenly twinged for no reason.

Maybe it’s just my age showing, but Edward’s maturity really struck a chord in me.

“She said she’s okay with us being together,” I replied.

Edward’s face lit up with pure joy. “My dad just said the same thing–he’s not against us either.”

“Edward,” I looked straight into his eyes. “Why did you pick me? Honestly, I bet there are plenty of women out there who are a better match for you.”

“Why overthink it?” Edward came closer and gently hooked his finger around mine.

I chuckled. “Fine, if you won’t answer, I won’t ask. So, where’s Ryan?”

“He went back,” Edward said.

“He didn’t really get hit, did he?” I asked, my heart pounding.

Edward took my hand and led me upstairs. “Yeah, I got smacked too. Why don’t you help me put on some ointment?”

I couldn’t believe it. “Seriously? I thought you were just kidding.”

Edward brought me into a bedroom on the second floor and pulled off his black shirt.

When I saw the ten angry red welts crisscrossing his back, my heart twisted.

But Edward just looked unfazed. “It’s nothing. I’ve gotten used to it over the years. Sometimes, pain keeps you sharp. Better to get smacked at home than get thrashed by outsiders.”

I couldn’t believe it. ‘Seriously, what kind of Sterling Family Traditions is this?‘ I thought.

“Where’s the medicine?” I asked.

Edward pointed toward a nearby room. “It’s in the second row of cabinets.”

I went over and grabbed it, then started cleaning up his wounds. Some spots had the skin split open–it looked so painful, I couldn’t help but cringe.

“Is Ryan worse off than you?” I asked, remembering Jeffrey said he was going to give him twenty lashes.

“Yeah,” Edward replied, suddenly looking up at me. “Does it make your heart ache?”

“You guys got hit because of me. I just feel guilty about it,” I said honestly.

“This is just how we toughen ourselves up. Don’t take it to heart,” Edward said softly, trying to comfort me.

“If I’d known the Sterling Family Traditions were all about tough love and discipline, I would’ve thought twice before stirring up trouble,” I said, half-joking.

“You didn’t really have a choice. Fate kind of shoved you into our lives,” Edward said softly, trying to comfort me.

“Fate?” I scoffed. “It’s just that I never pushed back, just kept going along with everything, and that’s how I wound up here.”

“Alright, Victoria, whatever comes our way from now on, we’ll face it together,” Edward said, squeezing my hand. “Don’t stress about it. Mariah seems to really like you.”

I locked eyes with him, and the deep affection in Edward’s gaze was impossible to hide.

‘Is there really someone who loves you as if it’s fate?‘ I wondered.

‘Victoria, are you really falling for him?‘ I asked myself.

“Can we just date without getting married?” I asked softly, searching for a way out.

Edward fixed his deep gaze on me. “What, are you afraid I’ll be the next Jared?”

“Do you even know why I divorced Jared?” I asked, genuinely curious.

Edward replied with a hint of sarcasm, “Wasn’t he messing around behind your back and acting like you didn’t matter?”

I nodded. “Yeah, he was unfaithful and cold. Treated me like a trophy wife, and I even let my daughter spend time with the other woman.”

Chapter 748