bChapter /bb662 /b

    Edward looked at me, a little dazed, for a long moment. Then he said his goodbyes to his friends and personally walked

    me out.

    “Edward, you really don’t have to walk me out… Just let your driver take me,” I said, feeling a bit uneasy. I never meant to intrude on his life, but somehow, I always ended up doing it anyway.

    Edward lowered his voice. “No worries. I’ll go with you. Your medicine’s still at my ce, iso /iwe’ll need to stop by there again.”

    I nked out for a moment, only just realizing I’d forgotten my meds.

    “Alright, sorry for the hassle,” I said, trying to be polite.

    The ride back was quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts.

    When we pulled up to Edward’s vi, I couldn’t help but notice the two refined, gray–blue buildings joined together- imposing and elegant.

    Edward stepped out of the car and opened the door for me, his voice low. “Why don’t you stay one more night? I can have

    the doctore by again to check on you.”

    I shook my head, feeling like there was a wild animal raging inside its cage. I was scared that once it got loose, there’d be no holding it back.

    While I still had my wits about me, I had to keep my distance.

    “No, I’m fine. The medicine will do the trick,” I said, keeping my eyes away from his. His gaze was shadowed, and honestly, I didn’t want to know what was going on in his head.

    “Alright,” Edward said, not pushing it. He went inside, grabbed a bag of medicine, and packed up my clothes in another bag, putting them both in the car. “I’ll have the driver take you. Text me when you get to your apartment.”

    I nodded and slid back into the car.

    I couldn’t care less about the scenery on the way back. All I felt was this emptiness inside, like there was a hole nothing

    could ever fill.

    It was like I had an endless hunger that nothing could satisfy.

    After I took the meds, my cold was finally gone and I felt like a new person. I was back in ss, full of energy again.

    The next day, right after ss, ine shot me a text: “Ms. Murphy, Mr. Hob just came over asking for the key. Watch out–don’t let him catch you!”

    I stared at the message, my face going stiff.

    ‘Jared’s here?‘ I thought, my heart skipping a beat.

    ‘Did hee by himself, or is Yvonne tagging along too?‘ I wondered, anxiety creeping in.

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    b15:39 /bbThu/bb, /bb18 /bbSept /b

    I quickly gged down a cab and headed back to my apartment.

    您28%合

    As soon as I got to the building, I spotted Yvonne outside a nearby dessert shop. She was wearing an adorable little dress. and a backpack, crouched down on the sidewalk, giggling as she yed with the shop owner’s kitten.

    “Yvonne…” I called out as I got out of the cab.

    “Mommy!” Yvonne squealed, running straight into my arms and hugging me tight.

    Right then, the door to the dessert shop swung open, and Jared stepped out in casual clothes, looking totally at ease.

    “Mommy, I got two days off from school so Daddy could bring me to see you!” Yvonne chirped, clutching my hand and bouncing with excitement.

    I blinked, a little surprised. ‘Wait, so Jared’s just here because Yvonne wanted toe?‘

    Jared’s gaze lingered on me. “Why do you look so thin?”

    “Daddy, Mommy’s always tired from her sses! Why don’t you go study with her instead? Hmph, bad daddy, from inow /ion you can only be nice to Mommy–no more making her study!” Yvonne crossed her arms and pouted, scolding Jared like a little grown–up.

    Jared didn’t get mad at all. He just crouched down and soothed herb, /bsaying, “Alright, I won’t make her study anymore, okay? Don’t be upset, baby.”

    “Really? Pinky promise?” Yvonne stuck out her little finger right away.

    Jared sighed and hooked his pinky with hers.

    Yvonne instantly perked up and jumped for joy. “Mommy, Daddy really promised!”

    I watched the two of themb, /bthinking how much more independent Yvonne seemed since the divorce.

    “Can wee upstairs and hang out for a bit?” Jared asked.

    I looked at him, “Didn’t you already get the key from ine?”

    Jared nodded. “I was going to go upb, /bbut then I remembered you’re not living alone–there’s another woman staying with you. I didn’t want to make things awkward.”

    At least Jared had some manners. If he actually went in and saw some pajamas or underwear lying around, that’d be pretty awkward.

    The three of us went upstairs together and stepped into the apartment. To my surprise, the ce—a three–bedroom with abig living area looked way bcleaner /bthan I remembered.

    It threw me for a second. ‘Did ine reallye back just to tidy up?‘ I wondered,

    bI /bbgot /bJared a cup of hot water, while Yvonne flopped onto the couch, flipping through her iPad. b“/bMommy, the bpictures /bbyou /bsent me are so pretty! Can we go put for dinner tonight, pleaseb?/bb” /bshe asked, her voice all sweet and bpleading/b.

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    15:39 bThu/bb, /bb18 /bSept

    I nodded. “Sure, I know a few ces that are pretty good.”

    Jared cut in out of nowhere, “How do you know about those? Who showed you around?”

    ? ? ??b, /bb28/bb% /b

    15:40

    b18 /bbSept /b