Chapter 211
My joy suddenly evaporated when my phone rang, displaying Edward’s name. He hadn’t called in days, so it was likely he had received his copy of the judge’s verdict.
I picked up the phone and muttered to myself, wondering he would try to appeal.
What was I supposed to do if that were the case? Should I really send Edith to prison? After all, she had already suffered so much.
No. I wasn’t going to play the saint now. Her imprisonment was part of my terms, and I would follow through if Edward decided to back out.
With that, I steadied myself and answered the call. “Yes?”
“Taylor…” Edward’s voice was heavy, almost lifeless. “Did you receive the verdict?”
I kept my tone cold and detached. “I just got home and saw it in my mailbox.”
“Are you sure it’s all over between us?”
I frowned, my voice sharp. “What do you mean? Are you planning to appeal?
Edward chuckled, though it sounded hollow as if he still hadn’t accepted reality. “I’ve been thinking about it ever since I got the verdict this morning…”
I was stunned. He really was planning to back out.
Anger surged within me, but I forced myself to remain calm I couldn’t let him use my emotions against me. Have you forgotten that I have evidence of Edith’s crime?”
“Are you sure you can go through with that?” he asked, his tone eerily composed. “I don’t believe you’d be cruel enough to send Edith to prison. Her life is already ruined. Isn’t that punishment enough?
His calmness sent shivers down my spine, but I refused to let him see my unease. “Heh! Do you think I’m still the same fool who cares about other people’s feelings?
“Let me remind you–I sent my own father to jail There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to your little sister. Understand?”
Edward fell silent, clearly shaken by my resolve. He had assumed I still harbored feelings for him and wouldn’t dare harm his family.
After a long pause, just as I thought he was too stunned to respond, his voice broke through, low and pained. Taylor… You’re killing me, you know that?”
His sobs punctuated the last sentence, as though he were drowning in despair.
I grimaced, disgusted by his theatrics. “Cut the pity act, Edward. You’re the one who destroyed our relationship. There’s no point in dragging this out any longer.
“Besides, your mother already said you’d have dozens of rich, beautiful women lining up at your doorstep once we’re divorced. I’m sure you’ll move on quickly.”
“No, I’ll never forget you, Taylor. You have no idea how important you are to me.”
I couldn’t understand why he was being so insufferable. I had no patience left for his games. “Save the performance for someone else. I’ve got things to do. Goodbye.”
“Taylor, wait!” he interjected; his voice desperate. “Can we at least still be friends?”
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Chapter 211
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re going back to the academy for the centennial tomorrow, aren’t you? That’s where our relationship began. Let me pick you up. We’ll take one last stroll around the campus before we put all of this behind us,” he offered. A wave of realization washed over me. “Was all that drama just a setup for this?”
“Not entirely…” His voice softened, almost pleading, “I really don’t want to lose you. If this is what you truly want, though… I’d like us to end on friendly terms.”
Friendly terms? The idea was laughable. He hadn’t done anything to earn that kind of closure.
Without hesitation, I shut him down. “No, thanks. Many of our schoolmates will be at the academy tomorrow, and most of them know what’s going on between us.
“Showing up together would make us the laughingstock of the year. Don’t you think?”
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