Chapter 811

Nathan’s words hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me feeling guilty as hell. I’d only gotten close to him for my own gain, and here he was, pouring his heart out to me.

Looking into his earnest eyes, I suddenly knew—I couldn’t move forward with him, not in this way anymore. Some limits you can push, but some boundaries? You just can’t blur those, not ever.

“Let’s just be friends, okay? I honestly think friends are the ones that stick around,” I said softly, gazing out the window at the endless sky.

He seemed to have seen this coming. After a beat, he smiled. “Alright, friends. Friends stick around forever. If we let love turn to hate, we’d lose even that.”

I felt a weight lift off my chest. He understood.

Sitting at the table, I steered clear of any talk about working together. Nathan brought it up a couple of times, but I just changed the subject with an easy smile, dodging his questions like it was nothing.

After lunch, Nathan followed me out of the restaurant. In the bright sunlight, he stopped by my car. He took a good look at my new Bentley and laughed. “Looks like you and Mr. Holcomb have pretty much the same taste.”

It was only then that I realized—the car I’d bought was actually the same Bentley Jared used to drive. I just smiled, keeping my thoughts to myself.

Nathan studied me with a suspicious gaze. “So, are you planning on co-parenting with Mr. Holcomb from now on?”

I blinked in surprise, suddenly worried he might think I was trying to get back with Jared. ‘Does he really believe that’s what I want?’

I clarified quickly, “No, we’re definitely going to raise our child together, but that’s all it is—he’s him, and I’m me.”

Edward let out a bitter laugh. “Mr. Holcomb’s gonna be heartbroken. He’s been waiting for you to come back to him.”

“Some people are just too stubborn to ever turn back,” I said with a smile.

He paused for a moment, then murmured, “I get it.”

“I’m heading back now. We’ll talk again when there’s time,” I said as I opened my car door and got in. Nathan gave me a little wave, then turned and headed off toward his Maybach.

As I pulled away, I caught a glimpse of his car in the rearview mirror, following me at a steady pace. Then, out of nowhere, he turned off and headed toward the flyover, and just like that, we finally went our separate ways.

Thinking about it, Nathan really was the ideal husband material. He was genuine, gentle, thoughtful—the kind of guy who’d make starting a new family feel like smooth sailing. If I were still the old me, the one who longed to be a perfect stay-at-home wife, Nathan’s love would’ve fit me perfectly. But now I was all about my career. Between work and business dinners, I’d always be busy and probably couldn’t promise I’d make it home on time. Nathan needed someone waiting for him at home, soft and caring—sure, she could have her own job, but not the type who’s always out hustling with the guys for a piece of the action.

Maybe it’s bittersweet, but sometimes regret is what makes life beautiful. It’s those moments you end up treasuring and savoring most when you’re old.

I wasn’t planning on heading to Braylin for New Year’s, but just a couple of days before the holiday, my mom had a nasty fall and fractured her leg. She was rushed straight to the hospital. The second I got the news, I dropped everything and booked a flight to Braylin without a second thought.

At the hospital, I threw open the door to the hospital room, barely slowing down.

“Vic, you’re here!” Aiden looked up at me, his eyes flashing with surprise and relief.

“What happened to Mom’s leg? Is it serious?” I blurted out, anxious as ever.

“The doctor said it’ll probably take about three months for her to walk again. Old bones just can’t handle falls like that,” Aiden sighed softly.

My mom was sitting on the bed, feeling a bit guilty. “It’s all my fault—can’t even walk without taking a tumble. Winnie, didn’t you say work’s been keeping you super busy? Why’d you run over here? It’s really not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal? She literally broke her leg!” I snapped back, annoyed. “I’d come even if a hurricane hit.”

My mom let out a laugh. “Alright, alright, you’re my sweetest daughter.”

My dad was peeling an apple for her, and as my mom munched away, she gave me and Aiden a good look, sizing us up.

“You two have the looks and the careers, so why are you still single?” she said, going straight into full-on matchmaking mode like any mom.

I glanced over at Aiden, who just scratched his head awkwardly. Honestly, we were both pretty committed to riding solo for now.

My dad jumped in, trying to put my mom at ease. “Hey, let the kids make their own decisions. When the right person comes along, it’ll happen. Rushing them won’t help.”

“Yeah, Mom, you can’t force marriage,” I chimed in right away.

Aiden nodded enthusiastically. “Mom, I’m all about building my career first. Once things are going well, I’ll definitely bring a girlfriend home for you to meet.”

My mom couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, I’m just worrying, that’s all… We’re getting older, and after this fall, I feel how short time really is. I’m just afraid I might not get to see you both get married.”

“Don’t talk like that, Mom,” I said seriously, sitting down by her bed. “No way—that won’t happen. Aiden’s so handsome, he might just bring home a girlfriend next year.”

Aiden wasn’t having it at all. “Oh, come on, Vic—if anyone’s drowning in admirers, it’s you! Just think about last time…”

I gave him my best death stare, and he instantly zipped his lips.

My parents exchanged a heavy look and let out a sigh. “Alright, we won’t rush you anymore. It’s your life, you get to decide. Just keep your eyes open and really look at someone’s character—don’t get swept up by emotions and end up falling for someone before you really know who they are.”

So, we ended up celebrating New Year’s as a family right here in the hospital. Even though it wasn’t your typical holiday setting, just being together—talking, joking, sharing stories—felt like the real meaning of happiness. Sometimes, life is at its best when it’s just family gathered together, no matter where you are.

By the third day of the New Year, Aiden had a get-together to go to, so I headed back home to cook lunch for my parents. They kept saying takeout was way too greasy for them, so I had no choice but to roll up my sleeves and make them a home-cooked meal myself.

When I got to the hospital with the food, I stepped into the room and saw it was suddenly loaded with gift bags and fruit baskets. My parents were in the middle of an excited discussion, but as soon as I walked in, they instantly went quiet.

“Dad, Mom, did someone stop by?” I asked as I set the food down, glancing around, curious.

My dad answered right away, “It was Ryan—he had someone drop all these off for us.”

“Ryan? He came by?” I blurted out, totally surprised. Wait, how did he even know my parents were here in the hospital?

My dad shook his head. “He didn’t come in person—just had someone drop off these gifts for us,” he said, looking a little impressed.

“Oh, wow.” I scanned the pile of fancy gift bags. These were seriously expensive stuff.

I quickly grabbed my phone and sent Ryan a thankful text, appreciating his kindness. He didn’t respond.

Either way, he thought of us, and I owed him a thank you.

“Victoria, are you texting him right now?” my dad asked, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded. “Yeah, he sent those gifts—it’s only right I thank him.”

“The guy who dropped these off said Ryan’s gone out to the western region, not in Braylin anymore. Apparently, he’s in a military-controlled zone where communications are restricted, so he can’t easily send messages out,” my dad explained.

I looked up, taken aback. ‘Wait—Ryan’s not in Braylin?’

“No worries. I’ll send him a text anyway, and whether he sees it or not, it’s fine,” I replied with a light smile.

Didn’t he say he was planning to build his career in Braylin? What made him suddenly bounce to a completely different place?

It was around 11 PM when I got a call from one of Aiden’s coworkers, saying he’d gotten pretty drunk and needed me to come pick him up. I left the hospital and made my way over to the restaurant where they’d been partying.

Just as I was about to get out of the car, a familiar silhouette suddenly emerged from the restaurant doors up ahead.

It was Edward.

Just as I was about to open the door, my fingers suddenly stiffened. I immediately pulled them back inside the car. I was driving my brother’s car, so sitting there hiding out, no one was likely to notice me.

Edward was about to leave. Under the glittering lights, he wore a black coat, with a few guys walking behind him—some definitely looked like plainclothes bodyguards. It had snowed again in Braylin, and the temperature was low, with the ground a bit wet and slushy. Edward’s car was parked in the reserved spot right across from mine. After half a year, he still had that same aura; nothing about him had changed.

Watching Edward, I couldn’t even name the feelings swirling in me. First came a pang, then a sense of release. His vibe had once drawn me in, but I was painfully aware we weren’t even in the same league. Being with him for real would be way harder than it looked. I’d probably have to keep my chin up just to stand next to him, forcing myself to be better every single day. Waking up and constantly chasing self-improvement—it was honestly suffocating.

I was not as soft as I used to be. Now that I’d found my ambition, I refused to bow down to anyone—and the last thing I want was someone trying to control me.

Knowing what I wanted meant I also know what I had to let go of.

I watched as Edward got into his car. The window was halfway down, and his slender, elegant fingers tapped the ash from a cigarette out into the night. In the next moment, his car swept past me like the wind.

I just stood there, staring down the road for what felt like ages before finally getting out of the car. The rush of cold air hit me straight on, scattering all those lingering feelings in an instant.

I rushed up to the third floor and found the private room. There was Aiden, completely smashed and still running his mouth.

“Aiden…” I called out from the doorway.