Chapter 786

I replied coolly, "His taste buds are just spoiled now, so he can't help complaining."

"I'm not," Jared muttered, his face flushing. "I just…"

He trailed off, then said, "Wait, isn't this one of Edward's restaurants? You came here to give him some business, didn't you?"

'Oh, so that's it–Jared's actually jealous,' I realized, a little surprised.

"Just eat your food, okay? I'm paying for this," I said, not wanting to get into it.

After three days in Hachester, my break was officially over. Tons of stuff was piling up at work, since a lot of things were just kicking off.

As soon as I got back to Shaville, Edward showed up at my door.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised. I’d told him my travel plans before I left, but I never expected him to actually show up at my place.

Edward walked in, his expression clouded and a little gloomy.

"Did my mom call you?" Edward asked, his face clouded with worry.

I nodded. "Yeah, she told me about what's happening in Braylin. Edward, it's time we faced the truth."

"So you're breaking up with me to go back to Ryan?" Edward said, using his full name for once.

I stared at him, anger flaring. "Why would you think I'm ending things with you because of him?"

"He got divorced for you. He proved how much he cares. You must feel sorry for him, want to get back together, comfort him, isn't that it?" Edward sounded like he was here just to pick a fight, his words making no sense.

"Edward, is that really how you see me?" Tears pricked at my eyes, anger flaring up. "If you honestly think I'm someone who's fickle in love, then why did you ever fall for me in the first place?"

Edward was stunned, clearly taken aback by how forceful my words were.

Then he suddenly pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm sorry, Victoria. I just… I can't help feeling like fate's been unfair to me. I'm not angry at you, I'm just angry at myself."

I fell silent in his arms, all my urge to argue fading away.

After a long moment, he finally let go, his eyes rimmed red as he looked at me. "Honestly, I'm starting to think he might be bipolar or something. His mood swings lately–no one can get through to him."

"He said he lost his dad when he was a kid, and his mom was always too busy for him. I guess that's probably why he turned out this way," I said thoughtfully.

"Couldn’t he just fall for someone else? Why does it always have to be you?" Edward said, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "He was into you first—I’m just the guy who showed up later. Who am I to complain?"

"Edward, stop tearing yourself up inside. Let's focus on how to deal with this," I suggested calmly.

Edward seemed to snap out of it, slumping onto the couch and pressing his fingers to his brow. "Right now, my dad wants us to break up–at least until Ryan calms down a bit."

"Alright, I agree," I nodded.

"We're just pretending to break up, and we won't see each other for a while, okay?" Edward looked up at me. "We're not really breaking up."

"Edward, whatever you choose, I'll agree," I said, meeting his gaze. "But what about the company?"

Edward had already made up his mind. "The company's shares will stay the same. Don't worry, you'll still be the one running things."

"Alright, I want to throw myself into work anyway," I replied, suddenly feeling a wave of ambition surge through me.

Even the most outstanding man could let you down. In the end, the only person I could truly count on was myself.

"Victoria, are you disappointed in me?" Edward asked softly.

"How could I ever be? You've taught me so much. You're the one who helped me find my way—I only feel grateful to you," I said seriously.

Edward paused for a moment, then gave a self-deprecating smile. "So that's all I am to you? Just your guide? You know, you've never once told me you love me. I guess that word is something really rare and precious to you, isn't it?"

I couldn't say anything back. He was right–I've never said that word to anyone. Love, to me, isn't just precious. It's something that carries a lot of weight.

Edward stood up and gripped my chin lightly, forcing me to look at him. "Just tell me–have you ever loved me? I want your answer, right now."