Chapter 43 Chapter 43
Aware of this, Caroline knew exactly where she stood.
And that's precisely why she didn't feel jealous.
So when he finished speaking, she simply replied calmly:
“I understand. Don't worry, I won't mind her.”
Nicholas stared at her for a few more seconds, his gaze searching for something on her face.
“You really don't mind?” he asked in a low voice.
“Really!” she said, nodding emphatically. “You said yourself that you treat her like a sister. I believe you.”
His face softened a little. A discreet, satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
“All right,” he murmured, running his hand through her hair in an almost affectionate gesture. “Don't overthink it, okay?”
She nodded.
“Let's go,” he said then, smiling slightly. “I'll take you back to school.”
Meanwhile, in another part of town, Edward Collins was walking through the lobby of a luxury jewelry store with Claire Ford.
She was holding a pink diamond necklace, the sparkle of the stones reflecting in her eyes.
“Edward, does this necklace look good on me?” she asked, smiling with calculated charm.
Edward looked at her distractedly. His expression was not as calm as before—there was something tense in his eyes.
After two seconds of hesitation, he took a black card out of his wallet and handed it to Claire.
“Honey, I'm in a hurry,” he said softly. “Feel free to buy whatever you want. I'll meet you later, okay?”
Claire pursed her lips, clearly dissatisfied.
“What could be so urgent?” she asked, her voice souring. “You said yourself that you would accompany me today.”
Before Edward could answer, she noticed the phone still in his hand and the glow of a recently read message on the screen.
Her gaze hardened. “Edward... who were you talking to just now?” she asked, her voice now cold and laden with suspicion.
“I...” Edward hesitated, his eyes darting away for a moment before returning to Claire. “Carol's roommate sent me a message. She said Carol is in trouble... she asked me to go there immediately.”
Claire's expression changed instantly. For a brief moment, something dark passed through her gaze, but she quickly disguised it with convincing concern.
“Carol?” she asked in a quick, slightly trembling tone. “What happened to my sister?”
“I don't know,” Edward replied, frowning. “But from the way she wrote, it sounded urgent. Tania isn't the type of person to make a fuss for no reason. I'm worried that Carol might have hurt herself.”
Claire held his arm, her expression full of empathy.
“I understand what you mean. Of course, if my sister is really in trouble, we should help her,” she said, with studied calm. “But before we rush over there, I think it's better to understand what really happened. Don't you think?”
Edward blinked, thoughtfully. “You mean...”
“I go to the same school as her,” Claire explained quickly. "I have friends there. I can call one of them and ask what's going on. If it's something serious, my friend can help Carol right away. It's faster than us rushing over without knowing anything, don't you agree?“
Edward thought for a moment and finally nodded.
”That makes sense. Call her, then."
A minute later, Claire ended the call.
Her face was serene—too serene.
“I already know what it was,” she said, putting her phone away and looking at Edward with a slight smile. “It was just a little argument between students, nothing serious.”
“An argument?” Edward frowned. “But Tania sounded desperate.”
“Yes, that's what my friend said,” Claire replied, with a touch of impatience in her voice.
“Why would I lie to you, Edward? She's my sister. If she were really being bullied, do you think I would just stand by and do nothing?”
“But...”
“Edward,” she interrupted, sighing, her voice lowering to a delicate tone, “there's something I don't know if I should tell you.”
He looked at her, confused. “What is it?”
Claire hesitated for a few seconds, biting her lower lip as if struggling with the words. Then she said with carefully rehearsed reluctance:
“I think... Carol still has feelings for you.”
“What?” Edward blinked, surprised.
“Think about it,” Claire continued with a sad sigh. “You were always really good to her. She must be reluctant to accept that it's over. Maybe this ‘being in trouble’ thing is just an excuse to see you again. It's the only logical explanation. Why else would she ask you for help, after everything?”
Edward stood motionless for a few seconds.
Her words echoed in his mind.
And little by little, his initial discomfort gave way to something different—a kind of selfish satisfaction.
Did Carol still think about him?
Did she still love him?
So all that indifference after the breakup... was it just an act?
Yes, it made sense. She had always been too proud to admit weakness.
It was natural for her to try to hide it.
And if she still loved him, that meant he still had a place in her heart.
A small smile of triumph appeared on his lips. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and said softly:
“Honey, don't be jealous. I'm with you now. My heart belongs only to you.”
Claire lowered her gaze, her voice trembling as she said:
“I know... But I'm still afraid.”
“Afraid of what?” asked Edward, caressing her hair tenderly.
“Afraid that you'll regret it,” she whispered. “That one day you'll realize you still have feelings for Carol. You were together for so many years... it's impossible that she doesn't have a special place in your heart.”
Edward smiled calmly, feeling powerful in the face of her vulnerability.
“Don't be silly,” he said softly. “Meeting you is the thing I regret least in my life.”
Claire nestled against his chest, hiding a victorious smile.
Inside, she knew her words had had an effect.
Now Edward was more secure — and more entangled — than ever.
She appeared sweet and delicate, someone who naturally aroused in others the desire to protect her — but in reality, Caroline was independent and resilient. Even without Edward, she could support herself and live well.
Claire, on the other hand... without him, she would lose her footing.
“Really?” Claire asked, her eyes watering and her voice trembling. “Then... can you promise me something?”
Edward, touched by her fragile tone, replied immediately:
“Of course. What is it?”
“Since my sister still seems attached to you...” Claire said, pouting and holding his arm, “could you please avoid seeing her in the future?”
She lowered her gaze and added, in a sweet and sad tone:
"Edward, you're my boyfriend now. I don't want you to meet other women... Even if that woman is my sister, I would still feel jealous.
For a moment, Edward felt uncomfortable. The request seemed exaggerated—but just looking at her, with her flushed face and vulnerable gaze, all his resistance dissolved.
After all, she was only acting this way because she loved him so much.
He believed that.
With a gentle smile, he stroked her hair.
“Okay, I promise.”
A glimmer of satisfaction crossed Claire's eyes, though she disguised it with a light sigh.