<b>Chapter </b><b>545 </b>


    The chill from outside crept into my body, making me shiver.


    I stared at the text message for what felt like an eternity before finally snapping out of it.


    ‘Ryan is entering a marriage alliance?‘ I thought. It was something I’d expected, but it still came too fast.


    This mix of emotions left me feelingpletely torn inside.


    I burrowed deeper into the covers, but they were cold.


    I remembered how, whenever Ryan stayed over, he’d always warm up the bed and wait for me.


    Maybe it was in these small, intimate moments that I started to rely on him.


    But thankfully, I hadn’t fallen too deep. I could pull out that dependence by the roots and hide it away


    my heart.


    in


    I needed to remember why I came to Braylin–to build my career, not to fall in love.


    Work was going pretty well for me these days. Not a lot of trouble came my way–Jared took care of the major stuff, and I handled the minor issues myself. Guess I’ve picked up a few tricks of my own, so I wasn’t stumbling around clueless like I did in my previous life.


    I slept straight through to morning, and when I got up, I deleted that reminder from Edward.


    I didn’t care if he meant well or had some hidden agenda. If Ryan really wanted to break up, I wanted


    to hear it from him.


    All I needed to do was wait quietly.


    Three days went by in a sh, and Ryan and I mostly just texted each other.


    Sometimes we’d call, and his voice sounded a bit hoarse. He told me his grandfather still wasn’t getting better, and he needed to stay with him. He apologized, saying he couldn’te see me for


    now<i>. </i>


    I told him to focus on what he had to do and not to worry about me. Ladded that work was keeping me busy too.


    The hotel’s facade was starting to show its unique lines, blending retro vibes with modern ir. The Shaville location was already up and running, drawing a good crowd, which made me feel even more sure about this whole project.


    Another evening hade. I found myself standing by the window, watching the <b>sun </b>sink below the horizon.


    After a few rounds of snowfall, the sunset outside looked almost unreal–so beautiful it didn’t seem possible.


    The tea in my hand had cooled off, and when I poured in more hot water, the taste was just a shadow of what it used to be.


    It reminded me of a rtionship about to end–gone was the burning heat from the beginning, leaving only a faint, lingering aftertaste.


    My phone buzzed with a text. The name shing on the screen was Isabelle.


    “Victoria, are you free tonight? I want to treat you to dinner.” Isabelle messaged me, sounding extra polite.


    ‘She must’ve heard something,’ I thought. ‘Or maybe Ryan sent her to give me a heads–up.‘


    “Yeah, I’m free!” I shot back.


    Isabelle instantly replied with a restaurant address. “Awesome, I’ll be waiting for you!”


    I grabbed my stuff and headed downstairs to my car.


    Parking at the restaurant Isabelle picked was a nightmare.


    I had no choice but to park farther away and walk the rest of the way.


    After what happenedst time in the parking lot, I made sure to put on a mask and wrap myself up in a puffer jacket, keeping my head down as I walked.


    Suddenly, up ahead, a car parked by the curb and the door swung open–a tall figure stepped out.


    I shot him a cautious look, only to realize I knew that face.


    Edward frowned at me, giving me a look like he couldn’t figure out why I was dressed that way.


    “Mr. Jennings, business is supposed to be your thing, right? You must’ve been a detective in your previous life,” I teased, not bothering to hide my annoyance.


    Edward didn’t get upset at my jab. Instead, he just smirked. “Guess I wouldn’t have known I had it in me if it weren’t for you.”


    “This really isn’t your style, you know. Kinda ruins your image,” I shot back, not bothering to be polite.


    Edward pressed his lips together and moved under the shade of a nearby tree. “Aren’t you <b>going </b><b>to </b>ask me anything?”


    I checked my watch. “I’m kind of in a rush.”


    “Is Ryan the one you’re meeting?” Edward’s voice dropped, sounding a bit disappointed.


    Iughed. “Aren’t you supposed to be tailing me? Didn’t you even figure out who I’m meeting?”


    Edward looked a little embarrassed and sighed. “I only follow your movements, not anyone else’s.”


    “If this is your way of showing affection, it’s honestly suffocating,” I said, my voice going cold.


    Edward looked genuinely thrown, clearly not expecting my reaction. He frowned in confusion. “Most women don’t act like this…”


    I let out a shortugh. “Then go find another woman.”


    Edward looked helpless, then suddenly reached out, grabbed my wrist, and forcefully dragged me under the shadow of the tree.


    “Edward, let go of me!” I said angrily, my voice sharp with irritation.


    Edward let go of me, towering over me and taking in my pissed–off look. “Ryan’s engagement–what’s your take on it?”


    “I ept it,” I replied coolly. “I never tried to hold him back. He’s always been free.”


    Edward’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re not upset? Not even a bit?”


    “When would I have time to be upset? It’s not like this is my first breakup,” I said, raising an eyebrow and shooting him a cheeky grin. “Besides, I’ve got plenty of admirers. I’m not exactlycking in


    choices.”


    With that, I turned to leave.


    But Edward was faster. He shoved me back, pinning me against the tree trunk. I sucked in a sharp breath, shooting him a look of condemnation. “Mr. Jennings, you’re way out of line with women. No one could ever truly like this kind of behavior.”


    Edward’s grip on my arm stiffened for a moment, then he let go, his voice dropping to a murmur. “Sorry, I just… I wanted to talk to you.”