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    Disbelief, anger, and disappointment shed across Aiden’s face. His eyes went red as he suddenly shot up from his seat. “I’m going to confront her.”


    I reached out and pulled him back down into his seat. “Don’t act rashly. Just calm down.”


    “I can’t calm down! Haven’t I been good to her? If I had ten bucks, nine would go to her. Why would she do this to me?” Aiden’s voice cracked with frustration, the weight of the betrayal hitting him hard.


    Seeing my brother in so much pain, I felt awful too, trying to keep my voice calm as Iforted him. “It’s already happened. There’s no point in dwelling on it. You should break up with her.”


    The word “break up” hit Aiden like a bolt of lightning–he was stunned, rooted to the spot.


    It was only then that it hit me just how much Aiden loved Sophia. He’d always pictured her in his future.


    When the storm of lovees crashing down, it seems no one can escape unscathed.


    “Aiden…” I watched him slump back onto the couch, my heart aching as I softly called out to him. “Honestly, I don’t think there’s any point in trying to fix things. If she’s really moved on, no amount of lowering yourself to beg will make things right again.”


    “I won’t beg her,” Aiden finally said after a long silence.


    “Then just have a proper talk with her. No need to turn things ugly–this is her choice,” I said, taking a deep breath and trying to stay rational.


    Aiden nodded painfully. “I know. I won’t do anything reckless.”


    Aiden stood up and walked straight out the door.


    I was too worried to let him go by himself, so I hurried after him.


    The bank where Sophia worked was just two blocks away. Aiden was in a suit, moving through the crowd, but he didn’t look like his usual confident self. His head was down, shoulders slumped, and he lookedpletely crushed as he walked on.


    My heart twisted with pain for him, but I knew–everyone has to grow up on their own eventually.


    This was his hurdle to cross, and as his sister, there was only so much I could do for him.


    At the crosswalk, I saw Aiden walking ahead, my heart in my throat. I rushed over, but he suddenly stopped in


    his tracks.


    Aiden turned and saw me. He forced a smile and said, “Isabelle, you should go back. I’m fine. You don’t need to follow me.”


    Standing there in the crowd, my nose prickled with emotion.


    <b>11:54 </b><b>Thu</b>, Sep 11


    I didn’t go after him. I just watched him cross the street and disappear into the crowd.


    My eyes stung with unshed tears as I turned to the curb, about to g down a cab.


    That’s when I noticed a tall figure standing not far behind me.


    It suddenly dawned on me–I’de here in Edward’s car, and he was still there, waiting.


    My eyes, still red from crying, met his gaze before I could even pull myself together.


    Edward strode over to me, his voice low. “Did something happen to your brother?”


    I hadn’t told Edward about Isabelle venting her anger on Aiden’s love life.


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    “He… he just wants to talk to his girlfriend, that’s all,” I said, trying to keep my emotions in check as I answered softly.


    Edward frowned, his tone deepening. “Can’t you even be honest with me?”


    I froze, looking up into his deep, enigmatic eyes.


    Edward’s gaze was razor–sharp, as if he could see right through me.


    Under his gaze, I felt like there was nothing I could hide.


    “Can we not talk here? Let’s find somewhere to sit down,” I said softly, ncing at the busy street around us.


    Edward pointed to a café just down the street. “Come on, let’s sit over there.”


    I followed him into the café. We found a quiet corner to sit in, and then he went to ce our order.


    The soft light from the wallmps washed over us. Edward leaned back in his seat, radiating that quiet,manding presence of his–he didn’t have to say a word, but you could still feel the pressure.


    He ordered me a cup of hot water and also got me some ginger tea.