bChapter /bb652 /b

    Edward looked like he was about to blow a fuse, his expression turning stormy.

    I was getting pretty good at pushing his buttons.

    “Forget it. I don’t really care anyway…” I forced augh, but my wordsnded like a blizzard in the middle of summer- chilling to the bone.

    Edward took a deep breath, barely holding back from kicking me out of the car.

    “Victoria, my dad wants me to settle down and have another child within the next two years,” Edward said. His words sounded casual, but theynded heavy in my heart.

    Turns out he was being pressured to get married.

    Jeffrey wanted to make sure the family kept thriving, so of course he hoped for more kids.

    It wasn’t an unreasonable request.

    “Good luck with that. Hope you get it done soon-”

    Before I could finish, Edward suddenly leaned in, pressing closer

    Before I could react, his lips crashed onto mine, shutting me up before I could say another word.

    I lost my bnce, falling back, but his big hand gently cradled the back of my head. His kiss was rough and full of pent–up anger, leaving mepletely defenseless.

    Edward was clearly holding back a storm of emotions, determined to collect interest from me. His kiss was deep and consuming, leaving my mind nk and my breath stolen. My cheeks burned red, and I was too weak to push him away- so I could only pound on his back in protest.

    But Edward wouldn’t let up. He kept kissing me, relentless and unyielding, refusing to stop for even a second.

    “Edward… that hurts, iyou’re /ibiting me…” I finally managed to gasp out, and before I knew it, tears were already streaming down my face.

    That’s when Edward finally realized just how out of control he’d gotten. He looked down at me, the dim streetlight casting a faint halo through the window. He reached out to brush away my tears, but I turned my face aside, refusing his touch.

    “I’m sorry. I lost control,” he murmured in a low voice.

    My lips were swollen and still tingling, and I let out an annoyed huff. “Your whole dating drama has nothing to do with me, but you keep dumping all your frustration on me. Edward, do you seriously see me as your toy?”

    Edward’s tense face rxed at my words, and a sly smile crept onto his lips. “You’re doing way better than that.”

    I shot him a furious re.

    Edward lightly traced his fingers along my cheek. “I’m not seeing any woman. I’ve already chosen the bperson I /bbwant /bbfor /b

    bThu/bb, /bb18 /bbSept /b

    myself.”

    My breath caught, and an inexplicable chill ran down my spine.

    2429%

    But Edward just murmured, “For my second marriage, I want to be with someone I really, really love. I don’t want to just go through the motions again.”

    I blinked, feeling like he was confessing his feelings to me. It wasn’t the usual romantic talk, but it hit deeper than any cheesy line.

    “Edward, you really need to chill,” I panted, my ck sweater clinging to me, rising and falling with every shaky breath. The way I looked seemed to make him lose control all over again.

    He lowered his head, pressing his face against my chest, as if trying to catch the rhythm of my heartbeat.

    The sudden intimacy sent a jolt of panic through me, and I instinctively tried to push him away.

    But he moved even faster, wrapping his arms tight around my waist and pulling me up against him. He kept his face buried in my chest, his voice drifting up, soft and pleading. “Victoria, I know you don’t want to get married again. What do I have to do for you to say yes?”

    “Edward, don’t go off the deep end. Your dad wants you to marry someone from the right family, not just someone you’re crazy about for a minute,” I snapped, frustration clear in my voice.

    Edward lifted his head from my chest and just stared at me, stunned. “I spelled it out for him. I said this time, I’m making the call on who I marry. And he agreed.”

    My breath caught. Jeffrey actually agreed to let him marry whoever he wanted?

    Wait… What undertone was that?

    Did that mean I’d actually have to be Ryan and Fiona’s,aunt–inw?

    AD