<b>Chapter </b><b>490 </b>


    Tears are a weapon for women–use them once in a while and they work, but if you rely on them all the time, they lose their edge.


    All I wanted after getting a second shot at life was to coast along, get rich, and enjoy the good times. Instead, I somehow got mixed up with this overbearing man, and now I have to constantly scheme and y games just to survive. Honestly, it just feels unfair.


    If I’d known things would get this rough, I should’ve just held onto the divorce money Jared gave me and gone off to enjoy life, traveling the world without a care. Wouldn’t that have been so much better?


    Sigh, but life never gives you a heads–up…


    “Sorry,” Edward said out of the blue, his voice softer than before. “Guess you were right. I haven’t really treated you with respect.”


    “Exactly,” I said, biting my lip, not backing down.


    Edward let out an exasperatedugh, clearly annoyed. “I’ve never felt sorry for a woman just because she cried. Not even my ex- wife ever made me feel that way. Don’t push your luck.”


    “Then your ex–wife divorcing you was the smartest move she ever made,” I retorted bluntly.


    Edward’s face turned even darker, and my heart skipped a beat.


    ‘Why can’t I ever keep my mouth shut when I should?‘ I scolded myself.


    Edward seemed to take a deep breath, struggling to keep his temper, then let out a coldugh. “If I hadn’t gotten divorced, how else would I get the chance to marry another woman?”


    The moment he said “marry,” I tensed up, instantly dropping my gaze to the floor and keeping my mouth shut, not daring to say a single word.


    “But honestly,” Edward’s tone softened, “talking with you is actually pretty pleasant.”


    I looked up at him, and he gave me a searching look. “You’re genuine. You don’t try to butter me up or pretend. I really like that.”


    I was honestly shocked. Edward thought more of me just because I spoke my mind? Man, that’s kind of sad. He must be surrounded by fakes all the time.


    “Oh, really? Well, that’s because you always act so high and mighty–like you’re above everyone else. Even ghosts would have to say nice things to you just to stay on your good side,” I huffed, turning my face away.


    Edward let out anotherugh, clearly entertained. “I’ve heard enough of those empty words. By the way, Victoria, what was it like between you and your ex–husband?”


    I paused, caught off guard. Was that aeback? Because damn, that hit a little too close to home.


    “Noment,” I said tly. Those days when I was chasing after love like a fool–I don’t even want to remember a single second of <ol><li>it. </li></ol>


    Edward chuckled again. “Sounds like your marriage wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.”


    “None of your business,” I snapped, my voice icy as I bit my lip.


    “You don’t have to say it–I can pretty much figure it out. But honestly, you’re not exactly a pushover. How did Jared end up


    10:10 Tue, <b>2 </b><b>Sept </b><b>We </b>


    messing around behind your back?” Edward looked genuinely baffled.


    ‘Because he’s a dog,’ I gritted out, my jaw tight. ‘He thinks every pile of shit he hasn’t tasted yet must smell sweeter than what he’s got at home.”


    Edward couldn’t hold back augh. “Oh? Guess he really is a greedy mutt.“.


    ‘All men are the same,‘ I mumbled, lumping them all together. Then I caught myself and added with a little pout, ‘Well, except for my dad and my brother.


    Edward’s face fell, clearly irritated. “So you think Ryan’s a dog too<b>, </b>but you still want to be with him? Why put yourself through that?”


    I was stunned, left speechless for a second.


    Edward looked at me, his expression cold. “Victoria, just because your ex was trash, you’re nning to let yourself go and mess around with every guy you meet?”


    I froze, my heart racing. ‘How the hell does he know?‘ I thought.


    But then it hit me, ‘Hold up, that’s not right. I don’t just go for any guy–I only stick with the ones who are actually top–shelf.”


    “They’re the ones chasing after me. I never make the first move,” I said, not sounding all that confident but still trying to make my point.


    Edward scoffed, “So every guy whoes after you, you just go along with them?”


    I shot back, “Of course not. I have principles.”


    “And what exactly are your principles?” Edward pressed, his gaze sharp and unyielding.


    “My rule is simple: I only want someone if I actually like them. If I don’t, I won’t let them get close–not even for a kiss,” I said, my voice steady and firm.


    Edward’s face froze, like he’d just caught the shade in my


    ywords.


    Just as things were getting intense between us, my phone started ringing. I nced at the screen, ignored the call, and just stared at Edward instead.


    It was Ryan calling.


    + F


    AD


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