Edward’s expression turned grim. In the next moment, he snatched Ryan’s phone and got up, heading straight outside.


    “Hey, Uncle Ryan, are you trying to embarrass me on purpose?” Ryanined, clearly frustrated.


    Edward didn’t bother sparing him any dignity and just walked out to take the call, leaving Ryan fuming.


    When Ryan looked at me, there was a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Honestly, I really don’t want to get mixed up in their business. You just can’t force love.”


    “I agree,” I said with a smile, quickly finishing what was left in my bowl and putting down


    my


    fork.


    Ryan tried to get me to eat a bit more, but I was already full–and it was toote to eat any more anyway.


    When Edward came back, he tossed the phone onto the table and said seriously, “Ryan, don’t go stirring up any more drama.”


    Ryan looked genuinely puzzled. “Uncle Ryan, how is this my fault? You’re the one who gave her hope, not me.”


    Edward’s face grew even darker, but he didn’t say another word.


    Ryan let out a small scoff. “If you don’t even like her, then why’d you bother going to her concert tonight?”


    My heart skipped a beat, and my thoughts started running wild.


    ‘Could it be that Edward knew Ryan was bringing me to the concert? Was he there not for Isabelle, but


    for me?‘ I wondered.


    Suddenly, I went stiff all over.


    Edward said coolly, “It wasn’t because of her. It was because of someone else.”


    “Someone else?” Ryan arched an eyebrow, thinking. “Wait, don’t tell me it’s that lead dancer. Didn’t you two have dinner together before?”


    Edward didn’t confirm or deny it.


    Ryan smirked, all gossipy. “Uncle Ryan, are you chasing after her?”


    11:37 <b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>4 </b>Sept i


    “Why are you so nosy?” Edward snapped, clearly annoyed and not in the mood to talk.


    Ryan put on an innocent face. “I’m just worried about you, Uncle Ryan. That’s what nephews do.”


    “Don’t bother,” Edward said, getting up abruptly. His mood took a nosedive in an instant.


    64%


    0


    +33)


    Ryan gave a wry smile as he watched Edward disappear through the door, then shot me a quick grin. “Don’t take it to heart. That’s just how Uncle Ryan is–if he doesn’t want to talk about something, he simply won’t.”


    I nodded, but inside, I couldn’t help but worry. Maybe Edward showing up here was just a coincidence, but when coincidences start piling up, it’s hard not to get suspicious.


    I knew that with his status, if he never made the effort to see me, I’d probably go my whole life without ever running into him.


    I just hoped he’d keep things rational and maintain some boundaries. If Ryan ever found out what was really going on, I might not even be able to stay in Braylin.


    The future felt uncertain, and a sense of hopelessness settled over me.


    On the way back, I fell asleep leaning against Ryan. He kept adjusting my position to make sure I wasfortable, keeping me warm and gently holding my hand.


    I slept all the way home. When we arrived, Ryan saw how tired I was. Even though he clearly wanted toe upstairs, he just tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and said softly, “Go get some rest.”


    I said goodbye, told him <i>to </i>drive safe, and walked inside.


    Once Ryan left, I wandered aimlessly through the garden in theplex.


    The cold wind swept over me, chasing away any trace of sleepiness and leaving my mind clear and sober.


    Honestly, after being given a second chance at life, I shouldn’t be messing around with feelings anymore. All I really need is a reliablepanion–someone who won’t treat me badly and will let me livefortably,


    But now, with my career tied up and mutual benefits at y, I’d somehow hooked the hearts of two men without even realizing it.


    Nathan’s deep affection and Ryan’s fiery passion–both were things I couldn’t bring myself to let go of.


    Turns out,


    I’m no better at resisting temptation than Jared.


    <b>11:37 </b>Thu, 4 Sept ti


    b&3, 64%_


    <b>+33 </b>


    The only difference is, he cheated on his wife–that’s just wrong. Me? I just go through boyfriends one after another. Guess that just makes me fickle.


    Thinking about it, I had tough at myself. We’re all just regr people, nothing special. From now on, all I can do is be real with whoever I’m with. If we break up, then I can move on–at least that way, I’m not crossing any lines.


    I sat down on a bench for a while, trying to sort out my thoughts. Once I felt a bit clearer, I headed


    toward the townhouse where I lived.


    The townhouses and vis were all in the same area, but there was a gate separating them from the high–rise buildings on the other side. The residents on each side didn’t really mix.


    That meant the townhouse area was pretty deserted at night. The streetlights cast long shadows, and I quickened my pace.


    Just as i reached the lobby and was waiting for the elevator, I sensed someone behind me.


    Suddenly, a tall figure appeared in the shadows of the trees behind me.


    “Victoria, let’s talk!” Edward’s voice called out.


    That voice sent chills down my spine. I whipped around, and to my surprise, Edward was standing


    there in the shadows.


    ‘Unbelievable. He actually followed me all the way to my neighborhood?‘ I thought, anger ring up


    at the invasion of my privacy.


    “Edward, what do you want?” I demanded, my anger now stronger than any fear as I strode right up to


    him.


    Edward clearly hadn’t expected me to confront him head–on. A sh of embarrassment crossed his handsome face as he took two steps back.


    After midnight, the lights had faded, leaving the ce in near darkness.


    “j


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