Chapter 270

Chapter 270

In the end, Edward didn't get an answer. Adeline simply said, "It's late. You should get some rest." The bedroom door closed, separating their two worlds, and he could no longer see her.

Edward couldn't sleep. Just before dawn, he heard the bedroom door open. He shot up from the sofa and saw Adeline coming out with her suitcase. She was still leaving. He reached out and grabbed her wrist.

Adeline looked at him calmly. There was no argument, no questioning. He just said quietly, "I'll go back with you."

Adeline was silent for a moment. "Okay."

The ride back was silent. On the way there, they had been so happy. Now, they were both lost in their own thoughts. When they arrived at the apartment, Edward reached for the suitcase, but Adeline took it from him.

"Thank you for bringing me back." she said, her tone polite but distant. "You should go. Drive safely."

Watching her turn and walk away, Edward fought the urge to follow her and demand an explanation. He got in the car and slammed his fist on the steering wheel. He couldn't understand it. Everything had been fine until last night. Why had she changed so suddenly?

He took out his phone and called the manager of the seaside cabin. "Check the surveillance footage outside the cabin. I need to know if Adeline went out yesterday, between noon and 8 PM."

The news came quickly. Less than half an hour later, the phone rang. "She went out. According to the surveillance, she got into a blue taxi. I've sent you a picture."

The picture had the license plate number. It wouldn't be hard for Edward to investigate. He passed the task to Anson with a strict order. "I need to know her exact itinerary within two hours."

Anson felt the pressure. "Yes, sir."

Adeline went to her room and didn't come out. Both Lily and Olivia sensed that something was wrong. Olivia knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Olivia entered and saw Adeline standing by the window in thin clothes. She draped a coat over her. "The view is beautiful, but you can't just stand here like this. The forecast says it's going to rain these next two days. Be careful not to catch a cold."

Adeline pulled the coat tighter around her. "I'm fine. I won't get sick. Don't worry."

"Then why don't you look happy?" Olivia asked.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Very." The words "worried" and "unhappy" were practically written on her face. Olivia tilted her head, studying her. "Did something happen while you were away?"

Adeline shook her head. "No. We only stayed at the cabin for one night. What could have happened?"

"You're lying."

Her best friend saw right through her. But some things, Adeline wasn't ready to talk about. She didn't have any answers herself, so how could she explain it to someone else? "I'm really fine. Don't worry. I'm just a little tired. So much has happened lately, I'm emotionally drained."

That, Olivia could understand. "It's normal to be tired. It's been one thing after another. That's why I supported you and Edward going to the beach, to get some rest. I didn't expect you to come back after just one night."

"I missed you and Lily."

That seemed to cheer Olivia up. "You're getting better at this. Fine, don't try to sweet-talk me. I won't ask anymore, okay?"

Adeline smiled. Seeing her finally smile, Olivia breathed a sigh of relief. "All I want is for you to be happy. I support you getting back together with Edward because I see how much he cares for you. But that's only if you want it. Whatever you choose, I'll support you."

"Olivia." Adeline said, touched.

"Alright, none of that. I don't do sappy."

Adeline chuckled.

Outside, a light rain began to fall, pattering against the window. Thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed across the sky, as if trying to tear it apart.

"This weather…" Olivia grumbled. "Said it would rain tomorrow, but it's starting today… So unreliable. More fickle than a woman…"

Hearing this, Adeline was suddenly reminded of last night's conversation. Edward probably thought she was fickle, too. Maybe she shouldn't have distanced herself from him so abruptly. She made up her mind. She gave Olivia a sudden hug.

Olivia was taken aback. "What's wrong?"

"Thank you."

"For what?" What had she said?

Adeline just smiled, a decision made. Whatever Alicia had said, it was just her word. Even if it was true, there was no proof. She had to find out for herself. She decided to go to the nursing home.

After her grandmother Cara's accident, Adeline hadn't been able to bring herself to go back. It was Olivia who had packed up Cara's belongings. Now, after three years, she was finally returning.

The staff had all changed. The nurses, the doctors, they were all new faces. She walked around and finally found one familiar person. The doorman. He had been there three years ago, and he was still there now.

"You're asking about what happened back then? I can't help you with that. Very few people knew what happened. I wasn't on duty that day. It was supposed to be a holiday. The few staff members who were on duty don't work here anymore. It would be impossible to find them now."

"It's okay. Thank you anyway." Adeline had been prepared for this. If there had been any useful evidence, it would have been found three years ago, and Alicia wouldn't have gotten away with it. Besides, Alicia had taken Cara away in broad daylight. The chances of finding any evidence at the nursing home were slim.

As she was leaving, she heard voices from the end of the corridor. She didn't mean to eavesdrop, but a sentence caught her ear as she walked by.

"Good riddance. That woman was getting sicker and crazier by the day, always talking nonsense. She even said she saw an old lady being taken away…"

Adeline stopped.

"Wasn't that three years ago?"

"That's what I mean. She was always talking nonsense, all jumbled up. No one could understand her. Although, after she left, the nursing home did lose a big client in Edward…"

The two nurses were chatting when they noticed someone standing behind them. Adeline was just looking at them silently. They immediately shut up, feeling a little guilty for gossiping.

"Miss, can we help you?"

"Who was the woman you were just talking about?" Adeline asked.

The two nurses exchanged a look. "Edward's mother. She lived here for many years. Edward transferred her to another facility a while ago."

"Miss, do you know Edward?" The two nurses couldn't hide their curiosity.

"I do know him. That's why I was curious. Thank you. I'll be going now." As she listened to their conversation, a face appeared in her mind. Edward's mother, Kaida.

Adeline remembered seeing Kaida at the nursing home back then. But at the time, she had been so consumed with guilt and shame that she hadn't even dared to look at her, let alone speak to her. She had always felt that she owed Kaida and Edward.

She had never expected to see Kaida in such an unexpected place.