Chapter 489

Staring into Edward’s eyes, I saw a thunderstorm raging there. I thought, ‘Great, now I’m really screwed. He’s actually pissed.’

He can be mad all he wants, but what about me? Am I not angry too?

I was clearly getting close to Ryan, but Edward just kissed me anyway, shoving me straight into a forbidden abyss.

If this blows up, I’m the one who’ll have to pay for it. My reputation will be completely destroyed.

Edward only ever thinks about his own pleasure. He never bothered to think about how I felt—not like Ryan, who actually cared about me.

Of course, he didn’t owe me anything.

Why would a predator ever set boundaries for himself or judge his own sins?

Anger, frustration, and a sting of humiliation all crashed together inside me. Me, always so stubborn and proud—no matter how hard I tried to hold it together, I just couldn’t stop myself from crying.

With Edward staring me down, the tears broke free before I could even blink.

I squeezed my eyes shut, but that only made the tears pour out even faster.

All at once, that suffocating pressure vanished. Edward stepped back a couple of paces, finally giving me some space.

I could finally catch my breath. I covered my face with both hands and pressed my forehead to my knees.

I tried to push back, but Edward was way out of my league—like this massive mountain, part of him always out in the open, part hidden in the shadows. He was a mystery to me, and honestly, that terrified me.

Edward clearly hadn’t expected me to cry. He probably wanted to watch me break down a little longer, just to see how pathetic I could get.

But once I started crying, it stopped being entertaining for him.

He’d just see me as weak—pathetic, really—and wouldn’t even bother with me anymore.

Edward spoke up, his voice stiff. “Alright, stop crying.” He hesitated, then added awkwardly, “I was just a little loud earlier.”

He fumbled for a tissue and handed it to me, not quite meeting my eyes.

I let go of my face, snatched the tissue from his hand in frustration, and quickly wiped away the tears at the corners of my eyes.

Edward’s voice was low as he asked, “If you stop crying, what do you want me to do?”

I sniffled, my mind racing. Edward liked me—that much was obvious. So now, I was the one with the leverage, and I could use that to my advantage.

No guy wants to make the girl he likes cry. That’s just a dumb move.

And Edward wasn’t dumb. He only got close because he wanted a piece of my heart and my attention.

If things really blew up between us, it wouldn’t do him any good.

“If you want to like someone, you have to respect them first,” I said, my voice shaky as I looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. “Acting all controlling and pushy just makes people want to run away or hate you.”

Edward paused, then let out a laugh. “Are you teaching me how to like you now?”

I was startled. ‘What the hell is going on in this guy’s head?’ I thought.

I was just telling him to watch his boundaries, but he actually thinks I’m giving him a guide on how to chase me.

“I’m with Ryan now,” I said, still dabbing at my tears, trying to reason with him. “You having feelings for me—it’s just not right. It’s crossing a line.”

Edward fell silent for a long time, seeming a bit irritated. He sat back down across from me, crossing his long legs, an icy aura radiating from him that warned people to keep their distance.

I took a deep breath and went on, “People at the top rarely bother with morals, but are you really going to try and steal me away right now, of all times? Honestly, I don’t really care. You’re easy on the eyes, so it’s not like I’d be getting the short end of the stick. But have you even thought about Ryan? What if he snaps and does something totally out of control?”

Edward’s eyes grew stormy, and he didn’t say a word.

Looks like I hit on exactly what he was worried about.

I mocked myself, “You once said that a woman like me would’ve been snatched away every day if this were ancient times. You were worried about me, but now you’re the one playing the bandit who grabs me. Talk about being contradictory, Mr. Jennings.”

Edward’s handsome face went stiff, and he narrowed his eyes at me, locking his gaze on mine.

I’d calmed down a little and didn’t feel like crying anymore. Tears might be a last-ditch defense for the weak, but in front of someone as strong as Edward, they don’t do a thing.