‘I never expected Edward would actually press me about this. I was hoping to keep it a secret, but clearly, that’s not going to happen now,’ I thought to myself.

“I heard from Jared that she’s recently developed feelings for Nathan. She suspects there’s still something between Nathan and me, which is why she’s holding a grudge against me,” I admitted honestly.

“And have you really cut him off?” Edward’s gaze was intense as he looked at me. “At their company’s celebration party last time, I noticed he couldn’t take his eyes off you. Victoria, he really cares about you.”

“Are you jealous?” I asked with a smile.

“Yes, I was in a bad mood that day. I always felt like you’d choose anyone but me,” Edward said, not hiding anything from me.

I was taken aback. “Why?”

“I don’t know. Because of Ryan, I feel like liking you is something twisted and… wrong,” Edward lowered his voice and whispered the last part in my ear.

I looked at him in surprise, shocked that he would describe himself that way.

“Since you knew it was inappropriate, you still went out of your way to see me—and even sneakily used my name to donate a building at my old school,” I teased.

Edward lowered his head with a self-mocking smile. “It’s because I wasn’t confident. I just wanted to do something, leave something behind to remember me by.”

“Oh, I get it.” I raised an eyebrow. “You guys just love what you can’t have. Once you finally get it, you stop caring.”

“And what about women?” Edward studied me with that deep, intense look. “Do you also lose interest once you have what you want?”

“We’re talking about you men right now…” I started to make a fuss on purpose.

“But I really want to know if you women have the same bad habit.” As Edward spoke, he suddenly grabbed my fingers. “Be honest with me.”

His sudden assertiveness caught me off guard. I turned my face away, looking into the distance. “Mr. Jennings, you know people. They say loving only one person your whole life is just not how humans work.”

“So you’re already planning your exit before we’ve even started?” Edward narrowed his eyes, danger flickering in them.

I shook my head. “Of course not. Who would willingly sign up for misery? When I look for a boyfriend or a husband, it’s for happiness–not to torture myself.”

Edward smiled, gently patting the back of my hand. “Good, just remember that.”

Suddenly, something Ryan had said popped into my mind. I looked at Edward seriously. “Last time, Ryan said you guys care more about the thrill of the chase than the actual result. Is that really how it is?”

Edward’s expression turned awkward, and he dropped his playful smile. “Of course not. The outcome and the process are both important.”

“Then why did Ryan say that?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“He’s just trying to sow discord. Can’t you tell?” Edward sighed. “I used to think that after Ryan married Fiona, since they’re young and spend so much time together, they’d eventually develop some feelings. But I never expected their relationship to end up so awkward.”

I remembered seeing how Ryan and Fiona interacted last time. They were like familiar strangers, barely connecting at all. And Fiona seemed to have no say in anything.

I looked at Edward, the words on the tip of my tongue but left unsaid.

The unsettling things Ryan had said to me at the airport last time still lingered in my mind.

‘Should I tell Edward? Would saying anything just make things worse between him and Ryan?’ I wondered.