Chapter 767

Edward pulled me into a tight embrace, my forehead resting against his firm chest. A sense of calm washed over me.

“I didn’t leave,” I murmured softly. “I just went downstairs to grab a coffee.”

Edward released me, his fingers gently cupping my face. “Really?”

His deep-set eyes searched mine, as if he couldn’t quite believe I’d only been gone for a moment.

I chuckled. “You’re so worried. Are you afraid I’ll leave?”

Edward’s expression faltered, then he pulled me into his arms again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect you and Nora to meet like this. I should’ve talked things through with her before letting you two meet.”

“It all happened so fast,” I said quietly. “How did your talk go? Is she still mad?”

“She’s still stuck on the fact that you used to date Ryan,” Edward said with a wry, self-mocking smile. “She even called me a thief for stealing her brother’s girlfriend.”

I paused for a moment, then looked down and smiled. “Edward, maybe she’s not wrong.”

Edward stiffened for a second, then gave my cheek a playful pinch. “I don’t know about anything else, but when it comes to feelings, just sitting around and hoping someone notices you? That’s just being a fool.”

I met Edward’s burning, deep eyes. He really did a lot behind the scenes just to be near me.

Maybe this isn’t exactly love, but if you don’t do anything at all, then it’s definitely not love.

“Edward, what should we do now?” I asked, feeling a bit lost.

“I’ll talk to Nora and try to get her to accept us,” Edward said quietly.

I knew he was caught in the middle, torn between love and family. If he couldn’t make a clean break, things would just get more complicated.

“If it’s really that tough, maybe we should reconsider,” I said, not wanting to cause any trouble–especially not for him.

“Victoria, don’t be so negative right now,” Edward said, tightening his grip on my fingers. “Come on, I want you to head back to my place first. I’ll stay here with Nora tonight.”

I didn’t say anything else.

Edward’s driver took me to a villa, his place in the States.

The housekeeper greeted me with a warm smile.

I ate a little, took a shower, and lay down in the clean guest room, but sleep just wouldn’t come.

I forced myself to fall into a hazy sleep.

But all that came were endless nightmares.

One bizarre dream after another, each more surreal than the last.

‘I dreamed I was standing in a sea of flowers, but a giant wave crashed over me–beauty gone in a heartbeat, everything ruined,’ I thought.

“Then I was walking a tightrope over a bottomless abyss, two snakes chasing me, terror rising in my chest until I wanted to scream,’ I told myself.

I had no idea how much time had passed when a gentle warmth brushed my face, pulling me out of my nightmare.

I opened my eyes to find daylight spilling through the window. Edward was sitting at the edge of the bed, his gaze lowered, watching me quietly.

I looked at him in a daze, half-convinced I was still dreaming.

Edward reached over and touched the pillow beneath my head. “Your pillow’s wet. Did you cry?”

Hearing his voice grounded me in reality. I pushed myself up. “No, I think I just had a nightmare and woke up in a cold sweat.”

Edward glanced around the room. “Come sleep in my room tonight. Don’t stay in the guest room.”

I took his large hand in mine. “Edward, is Nora feeling any better?”

He nodded. “The doctor said she can go home today. Nothing to worry about.”

“Is she still not okay with us?” I asked softly.