Edward’s answer totally threw me for a loop. My mind was racing with a million thoughts all at once.

Jared’s investigation had to be legit. The Jennings Foundation was owned by the Jennings family–if it wasn’t Edward, then it had to be Ryan.

With that thought, my mind quickly settled down.

I picked up my phone and started typing another message to Edward.

I asked if it might be Ryan, and told him to pass on my thanks. I also mentioned some possible problems down the line, and asked him to make sure nothing else goes wrong.

It took Edward ages to reply.

“Not Ryan,” Edward shot back, just two words—terse as ever.

My brain short-circuited. If it wasn’t Ryan, was it really just a coincidence?

Even though I felt like there was more going on, I didn’t press him. Asking again would just be rude.

I tossed my phone aside and dug back into my food.

Melissa was sitting across from me, and she must’ve noticed how tense I was. She leaned in, her eyes full of curiosity. “Victoria, are you seeing someone new?”

I froze for a second, then shook my head with a small laugh. “No way. Why would you think that?”

Melissa grinned. “The way you looked just now–like a couple who just met, all shy and not sure how to say hi.”

I was speechless.

“No, it’s not like that,” I said quickly, trying to brush it off. “I was just asking about something, and it made me a little nervous.”

Melissa just went, “Oh,” and I really didn’t want to bring up what happened to me in Braylin anymore.

Let’s just treat it like a dream–once it’s over, everyone just goes back to their normal lives.

“Victoria, are you and Nathan ever getting back together?” Melissa asked, her eyes full of curiosity.

I paused for a moment, then answered seriously, “No, I think we’re just better off as friends.”

“You might want to check if Nathan feels the same,” Melissa teased, shooting me a knowing look. “Last time I saw him, his hair was way grayer than before. Victoria, is that your handiwork?”

I just smiled, not about to own up to it.

Melissa sighed, her tone turning serious. “Nathan really did love you, you know. That relationship was his whole youth. Victoria, if he’s not the one for you, don’t hold him back.”

I nodded. “I know. I won’t bother him anymore.”

I decided to return the one percent of shares he gave me, as a token of gratitude for saving my life this time.

My phone buzzed with a new message. I glanced at it and saw Edward had sent me a text: [Just think of it as someone doing a good deed. Don’t dig any deeper.]

That message made the answer feel so close, like it was right there on the tip of my tongue. The tension in my body suddenly melted away.

I stared at the message for a long time, a strange, indescribable feeling spreading through my chest.

It was bittersweet, like a taste that was gone before I could really savor it.

I replied with a simple: [Okay.]

This time, I couldn’t even be bothered to block Edward. I just let him quietly sit in my friend list, like he was just another name among many.

I asked Melissa about her and Zachary. She seemed lost for a long time. Women can be sentimental, and after loving someone, a sudden breakup just leaves you feeling hollow, not really sure where to put your heart for a while.

“Don’t even bring him up,” Melissa said, her voice a mix of anger and sadness. “I just want to drink. I want to get completely wasted.”

I ordered her a bottle of red wine. I didn’t drink–I just stuck to tea, since I had to drive.

Melissa took a couple of drinks before she finally opened up about her relationship. “Victoria, do you know how desperate I was? I bought a plane ticket, brought a gift, and traveled all the way to his hometown just to see him…”

I felt a pang in my chest. Melissa was really in deep this time.