Chapter 529

This time, Edward didn’t reply. My phone stayed silent for a long time.

I closed the file, rubbed my forehead, leaned back in my chair at the desk, and gazed absentmindedly out the window at the park outside.

Edward never really liked me all that much. The only reason he’s still clinging on is because I never gave in to any of his desires. Men are born with this need to conquer–if they can’t have you, they put you up on a pedestal.

Of course, a smart guy like him will always find a way to get what he wants.

It’s not like I’m irreplaceable. If Edward really wants to scratch that itch, he’s got plenty of gorgeous women around him–there’s always someone who kind of looks like me.

He’s not about to starve, that’s for sure.

With only two days left until New Year’s, I called Aiden to see if he wanted to spend the holiday in Hachester with me.

He stammered a bit before whispering, “Sophia’s going back to Caelora, and I want to go with her.”

I was caught off guard. They say daughters always leave when they grow up, but sometimes, sons do too.

“Did you tell Mariah and Dad? Did they agree?” I asked.

“Yeah, they agreed. They even reminded me to be polite and taught me how to pick out a proper first- meeting gift,” Aiden replied, grinning from ear to ear. He looked really happy.

“Alright, then go spend the holiday with her. Be on your best behavior,” I said gently, not wanting to dampen his excitement.

After hanging up, I started packing my stuff. Then Ryan called to say he wouldn’t be coming over tonight—his mom had just returned to Braylin, and they were having dinner together.

Ryan hardly ever mentioned what his mom actually did, and I never pressed him about it.

All I knew was she was a total boss–rumor had it she was running one of those top state–owned enterprises, and she wore a lot of hats. She was definitely not your average businesswoman.

Thinking about all this, I couldn’t help but feel like my time with Ryan was running out.

Sure, I had a job and wasn’t short on cash, but compared to Ryan, we were living in totally different worlds.

The kind of woman Ryan would marry someday would be from a family like his, with no baggage–definitely not someone with a past like mine.

I’m not looking down on divorced women, just stating the obvious. In the dating market, we just couldn’t compete with the never–married girls out there.

Chapter 529

The morning before New Year’s, a few of the higher–ups at the company were heading home for the holiday, so we all agreed to meet at the airport together.

By the time we landed in Hachester, it was already noon. I hadn’t asked anyone to pick me up, but as I walked out of the airport, I spotted Yvonne with a bouquet of flowers, Jared holding her close. She was anxiously scanning the stream of people pouring out.

I slowed my pace, absently watching the father and daughter duo.

Especially Yvonne. In my previous life, she barely ever reached out to me, but now I could truly feel her care - it was like a long–awaited breeze stirring the fields inside my heart, making everything come alive again.

“Mom… Mom, I’m over here!” Yvonne finally spotted me, her face lighting up as she waved the bouquet and called out to me, her voice full of excitement.

I strode toward her, and Yvonne instantly slipped out of Jared’s embrace, dashing over to throw her arms around me. “Mom, you’ve been gone forever! I really missed you.”

I gently brushed her hair. “Let’s head home first. There are too many people here.”

“Okay!” Yvonne hurried over and handed me the bouquet. “I picked these out myself. Do you think they look nice?”

“Yeah, they’re beautiful,” I said, bringing them up to my nose for a sniff.

“Dad wanted to buy roses, but I thought this bunch was way better,” Yvonne said, totally calling Jared out without a second thought.

Jared just stood there, looking awkward and a little defeated.

I only then realized Jared was there too. I’d been so focused on Yvonne that I’d totally overlooked him standing right beside us.