Chapter 227
Adeline finally realized what was strange—Edward wasn't responding to her words at all. They couldn't communicate.
She stopped talking too, beginning to reject Edward's advances. Though her limited mobility made it impossible to physically stop him, she could still ignore him.
Being ignored could drive a person crazy.
At the very least, Edward couldn't bear being treated like thin air. He gripped Adeline's chin, forcing her to turn and look at him.
"Do you hate me that much?" He asked.
Adeline replied coolly, "I think you know the answer."
Edward gave a bitter smile. "Even if you hate me, you shouldn't use Lily."
Adeline didn't explain—she felt no need to. With remarkable composure, she said, "Edward, we should both move forward, not backward. The past and its people should be left behind."
"Impossible."
He couldn't let go. Not in this lifetime.
He yanked open his collar, exposing his chest.
The skin over his heart was covered with countless ugly scars. He pressed her hand against the disfigured tissue.
"Here," he said. "I once had your name etched here. I thought if I destroyed this patch of skin, I could drive you from my heart."
Evidence proved he had failed.
The scars felt rough and ugly beneath her fingertips. Adeline's hand trembled slightly as she looked away.
"You may not want to look, but it still exists," Edward said, not forcing her to face the scars—even he found them repulsive.
He had regretted it countless times. If he hadn't destroyed that tattoo on his chest, perhaps he'd have one more card to play in keeping her now.
"Stay," he said, his voice almost humble. "I'm not asking you to accept me right away. Just don't leave."
Adeline responded calmly, "Unless you can make me forget our past, I can't be with you again."
She'd been in this mansion for days now and had considered starting over, but she couldn't. Every time she remembered that Cara had died because of her reunion with Edward, she just couldn't do it.
She didn't deserve happiness. She could never forget how Cara died.
Edward's chest tightened, his voice turning hoarse. "You're being too cruel. Even criminals get a chance to defend themselves."
Yet from the beginning, he had been sentenced to death.
"Prisoners with good behavior get reduced sentences. Why don't I get that chance?"
Adeline just looked at him silently.
Love wasn't a court case. It couldn't be measured by anything.
Her gaze defeated Edward, making him retreat.
He couldn't stay any longer. Each additional minute under her stare was torture.
"Get some rest," he said quickly before closing the door.
Faye rushed over to him. "Mr. Thomas, please go check on Lily. She's been crying until her voice is hoarse."
Edward acknowledged with a raspy response and pushed open Lily's door. She sat on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.
Edward crouched in front of her, neither comforting nor questioning, just watching until she ran out of tears.
"Daddy's a bad person!" She accused.
Edward responded calmly, "Yes, Daddy's a bad person. Can we sleep now?"
Lily pouted. "You're mean to Mommy. No wonder she doesn't like you."
That stung.
Edward's eyes darkened. "If Mommy doesn't like me, who does she like?"
"Anyone but you."
The little girl's persistence wounded him. Edward reached out and lifted her up. "You want to be with Mommy that badly?"
Lily nodded through her sniffles.
Then Edward carried her out the door.
When Adeline saw Lily, she could hardly believe it. Edward set Lily down, brought her pillow and blanket, then left.
Mother and daughter sat on the bed staring at each other.
Adeline tucked Lily under the covers. Lily looked confused. "What's wrong with Daddy?"
Her crying had just been a tactic.
She'd been prepared for it not to work on Edward, but surprisingly, he'd actually brought her to Adeline's room.
Had her tears driven Edward crazy?
Adeline stroked her hair. "It's late. Let's sleep."
After her day of tantrums, Lily was already tired and quickly fell asleep.
Adeline looked toward the door, her gaze complex.
Suddenly, she couldn't understand what Edward was thinking.
The next morning, neither mother nor daughter saw Edward. They enjoyed their breakfast together, perfectly content.
Meanwhile, Aaron was miserable.
After working all night, he found Edward in his office early in the morning.
"You're being too harsh," Aaron complained.
Edward replied coolly, "You deserve it."
"We're friends!"
Just because he'd helped Olivia scheme against Edward a little, Edward was being ruthless, making him work overnight.
"I have a gift for Olivia."
Edward handed him an envelope, not worried that Aaron would open it privately.
Despite his burning curiosity, Aaron didn't peek. "This is favoritism!"
They had both plotted against Edward.
Yet Edward only punished him while being generous to Olivia, even rewarding her.
Edward waved his hand, indicating that Aaron could leave.
He didn't want to deal with him.
Aaron took the envelope back, wondering what Edward had put inside.
Olivia exclaimed, "Mr. Thomas is so generous!"
Inside were concert tickets for Olivia's favorite band—a group of young, handsome male stars she was obsessed with.
Aaron's face darkened.
He couldn't stop her. Olivia left for the concert that evening, leaving Aaron alone. He finally understood Edward's malicious intent.
Edward was truly excessive!
That night, after dinner, Adeline and Lily walked in the back garden. Adeline leaned on her crutch while Lily stayed beside her, looking nervous.
The yard was dim. Adeline, not paying attention, tripped on a stone and nearly fell, but a hand steadied her.
Edward looked down at her. "Be careful."
He helped her into a wheelchair while Lily circled them anxiously.
"Are you okay, Mommy?" She asked.
Adeline shook her head. "I'm fine."
The night air was cool. Edward placed a blanket over Adeline's legs and said to Lily, "Go get Mommy some juice."
Lily trotted off on her little legs.
Adeline glanced at Edward. "Just say what you want to say."
He could have brought juice earlier, but only brought a blanket—clearly, he wanted to send Lily away.
Edward crouched before her, his deep eyes gazing at her beautiful face. "Adeline, give me one chance."
Adeline remained silent.
He continued, "Just one. Stay with me for three months. Don't think about the past—pretend we're meeting for the first time. If after three months you still want to leave, I won't force you to stay."
Adeline looked at him, puzzled. "Can you keep your word?"
"Yes."
Edward had thought long about this. This approach might keep Adeline physically present for now, but her heart wasn't here.
And he wanted more than just her physical presence.
After lengthy consideration, Adeline finally nodded. "Agreed. Three months."
In the moonlight, Edward smiled.
"Hello, let me introduce myself. My name is Edward."
In that moment, Adeline glimpsed the man from eight years ago.
The man who had made her heart race uncontrollably.