bChapter /bb657 /b

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    The spoon in my hand suddenly felt unbearably heavy, slipping from my fingers andnding softly on the carpet.,

    Edward bent down, gently picked it up, washed it in the bathroom, and then came back to sit next to me again.

    “Edward, are you trying to ruin me?” My voice was shaking.

    Edward met my gaze, unwavering. “It’s not like that. Trust me.”

    “Why should I trust you? You’re Ryan’s uncle. You two are blood…” I shot him an angry re, feeling like this was some kind of sick joke.

    I couldn’t handle the consequences.

    Edward slouched back on the couch, rubbing his temples. His eyes were deep and determined. “Victoria, I’m sorry, but if I don’t do this, you’ll always keep yourself locked away. I won’t ever be able to let the world see us together.”

    I sucked in a sharp breath.

    “Edward, maybe you just like me for now, but what if it’s just a phase? Like a vase you find stunning today, but tomorrow you’re tired of looking at it. Would you just throw it away, or leave it behind?” Tears shimmered in my eyes as I spoke, because that’s exactly what Jared did to me.

    I’ll never forget how he once told his friends, in that indifferent tone, that I was just a vase–something that made him feel secure, something he could show off to make himself look good.

    But he’d gotten bored of me long ago. My gentleness became boring, my thoughtfulness turned into that of a housekeeper, my reminders annoyed him, and my love became something nd and unwanted, like tasteless leftovers.

    I’ve already beenbeled that way by a man before. If I have to be just another trophy in someone else’s life, just to make him look good, I’d rather be dead.

    Just kill me now–I don’t want to live like that.

    I stood up and marched straight toward the door.

    Edward’s handsome face was filled with shock as he rushed over, his long legs quickly closing the gap between us.

    He blocked me by the door, his voice urgent, “Victoria, what’s wrong? Did I say something to upset you? Please, don’t leave.”

    “Edward, if you really like bme/b, it’s just because you can’t have me,” I said, taking a deep breath. Right now, I can tell the difference between falling into a trap and getting swept up in a moment of passion.

    I stared at Edward’s refined, handsome face. He really was a sight–and honestly, he looked good enough to eat.

    I shrugged off my coat and let it drop to the floor, then walked toward him, step by step. “If you get what you wantb, /bbthe /b

    thrill will be gone, right? Edward, I’m willing… we can do this right now if that’s what you want…”

    b“/bDon’t bbe /bbcrazy/b,” Edward said, his breath growing heavier and his eyes turning shadowy.

    b1/2 /b

    15:38 bThu/b, 18 bSept /b

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    He bent down, picked up my coat, and softly draped it over my shoulders. “Are you delirious? How could you do something so thoughtless?”

    I shoved him away, unable to stand his pretend tenderness.

    “Edward, I’m not joking. I’m dead serious,” I said, tossing my coat aside again and reaching for my shirt. As I undid the fourth button, my figure was revealed to him–there was nothing left to hide.

    Edward’s expression went stiff, and he quickly turned away, showing me only his back.

    But I wasn’t afraid anymore. I moved right up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist, fearless. He shuddered hard, then went rigid, like a steel statue.

    “Victoria, is this your way of making me give up?” Edward was furious–really furious.

    I froze, still holding onto him. In the next moment, he gently pried my hands off, spun me around, and pinned me against the door. “I just want a peaceful life with you, not just to sleep with you. Why do you have to see me as someone so low?”

    His hands on my shoulders were shaking–I could feel how much this was tearing him up inside.

    It was like he’d handed me his heart, and I just smashed it to pieces and ground it under my heel. The blow hit him hard.

    “I don’t know what kind of pain you’ve been through, or what you think of men. Maybe I look like I have everything, and people assume I want a life of luxury and status. But beneath the surface, what I really want is simple–a wife who truly loves me. Having kids would be a bonus, but it’s not a dealbreaker.”

    AD