Chapter 268

Chapter 268

After a two-hour drive, the black Rolls-Royce pulled into a seaside parking lot. Edward and Adeline got out and walked to the cabin. It was a simple but sturdy structure, fully furnished. The bed was made with a soft mattress.

Edward immediately started unpacking, not letting Adeline lift a finger. Watching him, she hesitated. "You don't have to…"

"Hungry?" he interrupted, as if he knew what she was going to say. "I'll go prepare the food."

Adeline touched her stomach. "I am a little hungry."

"Then wait here. There's water, drinks, if you're thirsty. Help yourself."

He had prepared everything. Clearly, this trip to the beach wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. Adeline stood by the window, watching him set up the grill outside. Behind him, the vast sea stretched to the horizon. It was a peaceful scene. If only time could stand still.

"They went to the beach?" Alicia sat up abruptly.

Vida was on the phone in the backyard, whispering. "They were in the study together for half a month. The moment they came out, they went on vacation to the beach. At this rate, they'll be married in no time."

"They can't get married."

"But they seem to be getting along so well." Vida couldn't understand her confidence.

Alicia grabbed her coat from the sofa. "There's still a bomb between them."

"What bomb?"

That was something she couldn't tell Vida. "You don't need to know." Alicia said, putting on her shoes. "Don't call me unless I call you."

"Understood. But the money you promised me…"

"Don't worry, you'll get it."

She hung up and headed for the door. Randy was coming downstairs. He frowned. "Didn't you promise Mom and Dad you'd stay home? Where are you going?"

"I have something important to do. Don't worry about me. Just rest." Randy had been devastated by what happened with Waverly and had been cooped up at home ever since. Alicia had no sympathy for him. In her opinion, the sooner he was rid of a woman like Waverly, the better.

"Alicia!" Randy called after her, but she was already gone.

The beach at night was beautiful. Sitting by the sea, drinking beer and eating barbecue, was incredibly relaxing. All worries seemed to melt away, leaving only the vast expanse of the ocean and the sound of the waves.

Edward took the beer from Adeline's hand. "We agreed. Only half a can."

"Why only half a can?" she protested. "You've already had two."

"You're not well. You should drink less."

No matter how much she complained, he wouldn't give in. She pouted and angrily bit into a skewer. He relented and handed her the rest of the can. Her eyes lit up.

"Only half." he said.

Half was better than none. She savored it, taking small sips. "I wish it could always be this relaxing." she sighed.

Edward watched her silently. She rested her chin on her knees for a while, then, feeling tired, she lay down on the sand. Warmed by the sun during the day, the sand was still pleasantly warm, and the gentle breeze was soothing. She closed her eyes.

Only in these moments could Edward look at her openly. When she had first returned, he had been determined to keep her, by any means necessary, even if it meant she would hate him. But now, he just wanted to cherish every day they had left together. Until the end came.

He draped his coat over her. "Enjoy yourself, but don't catch a cold."

She murmured a lazy reply. Sometime later, she fell asleep. He realized it when he spoke to her and she didn't answer. He lay down beside her, just watching her. He could watch her forever and never get tired. The moonlight was beautiful. He propped himself up on one elbow, leaned over her, and slowly lowered his head. But just as his lips were about to touch hers, he stopped. He settled for a chaste kiss on her forehead.

This was the scene that greeted Alicia when she arrived. The sight made her snap one of her long nails.

Adeline woke up in the cabin. The room was empty. She pushed open the door and saw Edward standing by the sea. His tall, imposing figure seemed so small against the vastness of the ocean. She stood at the door, not moving. Then, she saw him start to walk forward, into the water. She frowned and ran after him, grabbing his arm. "What are you doing?"

He turned, a momentary confusion in his eyes. Then he saw her and smiled. "Look there."

There was a beautiful seashell on the sand, shimmering in the sunlight.

Adeline let out a breath of relief. "Don't just stand here by yourself. It's scary."

"You didn't think I was going to kill myself, did you?"

"No." she denied.

He picked up the shell. "I just thought it was beautiful. I thought you'd like it."

Adeline looked at him, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned away. "I don't like shells," she said stiffly.

He was taken aback. "Then I'll keep it for you. I'll give it to you when you decide you like it."

"I'll never like it." she snapped.

He looked at her silently. She couldn't stand his gaze. She looked away. "I… I'm hungry."

"I'll make you a bowl of noodles with a fried egg." He remembered it was her favorite.

Adeline sat alone on the beach, running her hands through her hair in frustration. She almost wished he would go back to his old, forceful ways. This new, gentle Edward was much harder to resist.

While they were eating, Edward took a call. "You handle it. I can't come back right now."

"If you have something to do, you can go." Adeline said, twirling her noodles.

"It's nothing, just company business."

"If they're calling you, it must be important."

"If they can't handle a small crisis like this, they're not earning their salary." He put the fried egg from his bowl into hers. She took a bite before she realized it. They had been living and eating together for so long, it had become a habit.

After they finished eating, her phone buzzed. It was a message.

Alicia: [Want to know the truth about your grandmother's death?]

Adeline's hand trembled, and she knocked over her water glass.

Edward looked up and saw her strange expression, then the broken glass on the floor. "It's just a glass. I'll clean it up later."

Adeline looked down at her phone. Another message popped up. It was a location.

Alicia: [Tonight at 8. Don't be late.]