“If I really want to keep the Chambeins off my back, I’ll have to pick someone who’s nowhere near Ryan’s league. Just a regr guy. That way, Fiona won’t have anything to be bitter about–she’ll probably feel all superior and won’t even botherparing herself to me anymore,” I said, keeping my tone cool.


    Edward’s icy voice rang out behind me, sharp and unyielding. “Don’t you dare!”


    The next moment, I caught the cool scent of pine as Edward stepped up right behind me, his presence looming as we both stared out at the banyan trees. His tone was steely, leaving no room for argument. “Are you really going to make me watch you marry someone else, just so I can y the fool who sets up your happiness?”


    I stared at him in shock. Edward towered over me, his gaze intense as he looked down. “You might as well stab me in the heart. What’s the difference?”


    “Mr. Jennings, I’m basically a walking disaster right now,” I said, half–joking but dead serious. Honestly, I can’t believe Edward would ever really want to be with me–even if he keeps acting like some hungry wolf circling his prey.


    Just earlier, Jeffrey saw me and figured out what was going on between me and Ryan. So how could Edward ever let anyone else find out about that possessiveness he tries <i>so </i>hard to keep hidden?


    “You’re not a ticking time bomb. You’re just someone who can’t control her own fate—a poor thing caught up in all this,” Edward sighed. Then he leaned against the window, meeting my gaze head–on. “I don’t agree with you marrying just some ordinary guy. Don’t you have two exes? They’re both doing well for themselves. Why not think about getting back with one of them?”


    “I don’t want to drag them into any more trouble or drama,” I replied calmly.


    Edward’s face grew even colder, like ayer of frost settling over his features. “Oh? Even after breaking up, your first instinct is still to protect them? Victoria, I think I finally get why your exes still can’t let you go. Because loving you… it’s actually a wonderful thing.”


    My eyes burned, as if they’d been rubbed with sand, and a wave of indescribable


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    sadness washed over my heart.


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    I turned around so he could see the sadness in my eyes, but my voice still gave away just how much it hurt.


    “After loving someone, I think anyone would want to make sure they don’t bring their exes any more trouble or worries,” I said, turning to go back to my seat.


    But before I could move, I felt a strong presence behind me–Edward pulled me into a firm embrace. “Alright, I know you’re kind and soft–hearted. I won’t tease you anymore. Come on, dry those tears.”


    I struggled a few times, but Edward only pulled me closer. “Promise me–no getting married, no running back to your exes. Just stay in Beijing, keep your job, and see me once in a while. Let me handle everything else for you, alright?”


    My heart was in my throat, and before I could hold them back, tears slipped down my face as I turned away.


    Edward’s breath grew heavier. He lowered his head, pressing it gently into the crook of my neck, his voice a low murmur. “Don’t worry, I won’t force you into anything. I just want you close to me. If you don’t want that, I won’t make you.”


    “So… are we talking about a rtionship that’s all in our heads?” I couldn’t help but blurt out.


    Edward actuallyughed, exasperated. “If that’s what you want to call it, fine. I guess my soul really is a wastnd. Maybe it needs someone to scatter some flower seeds and make something beautiful grow in all that emptiness.”


    had to admit, Edward was the most poetic guy I’d ever met.


    I couldn’t help butugh out loud. Edward had no idea what I wasughing at.


    He froze for a second, then a rare blush crept onto his usuallyposed face.


    I took advantage of the moment to wriggle out of his arms and hurried back to


    my seat.


    Edward sat down as well, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. “Are you just making a monkey out of me?”


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    I shook my head. “No, it’s just that you say you won’t be controlling, but you won’t let me marry anyone else. You’re really contradicting yourself.”


    Edward: “…”


    Edward just threw my calm right out the window.


    “I like you, and you really expect me to just let you marry someone else? Why don’t you just stab me in the heart?” Edward grumbled, his face so dark he looked ready to explode.


    Maybe I really was asking too much of him.


    “Edward, I’m serious. I need a way to keep myself safe,” I said, my nerves starting to fray as frustration crept into my voice.


    “No one’s safer than me,” Edward said with a helpless sigh. “So stop dragging innocent people into this–if you have to ruin someone, just ruin me.”


    I couldn’t help but notice that Edward had this boyish, almost immature side to him sometimes—it totally shed with the cool, untouchable vibe he usually gave


    off.


    But when he was like this, it was easy to forget about all that power and status behind him. He just felt like someone you could actually rely on, like a big brother who’s always got your back.


    “Edward, have you ever thought about how Ryan and your dad would feel if they


    knew we were together?” I finally asked, cutting straight to the heart of it.


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