Chapter 3

Back in our last year of high school, Edward didn't get the score he was hoping for in one of his subjects. Feeling disappointed, he headed to the rooftop to get some fresh air.

When I heard he was there, I completely forgot about my fear of heights and ran up after him.

I saw him sitting all the way at the edge, so I carefully made my way over and gently tugged at his sleeve.

For a while, I just stayed there, telling silly jokes to lift his mood.

That was the first time I ever saw him really laugh—his teeth showing, a faint dimple sinking into his cheek.

And right then, I knew that this was the man I wanted for the rest of my life.

Once he started feeling better, it was time for lunch.

Seeing him perk up at last, I felt relieved enough to glance down at the ground below.

Suddenly, my legs turned to jelly, and I dropped right to the ground, too weak to get up.

Edward laughed and ended up carrying me all the way downstairs.

Things had changed so much since those days.

As I watched him inch closer, his expression wary, I could only give a bitter smile, then I took a step back and threw myself out of the window without hesitation.

There was a lawn below, but I had already been soaked in the rain, burning up with fever. The moment I hit the ground, everything went dark.

When I woke up, I found myself lying in a private ward. I recognized the decor instantly. It belonged to the Shaw Group.

I pulled the IV from my hand and tried to stand, only to realize one of my legs wouldn't hold my weight.

It must have been from the fall.

Ignoring the pain, I leaned against the wall and made my way to the door.

The hallway was quiet, so I carefully closed the door behind me.

"Where do you think you're going this time?" Edward's voice behind me made my whole body tense.

I didn't even turn around. I just tried to hurry away.

Edward took several quick strides and grabbed me by the arm.

I couldn't hold myself back anymore. My hands flew in sharp, angry gestures.

[What do you want from me?]

He froze. When I realized he wasn't reacting, I reached for my notebook.

Then I saw it in his hand. I snatched it back and quickly scribbled down my message.

Edward just kept his eyes locked on my face for a while, his expression unreadable. Finally, he broke the silence. "You can't talk anymore, can you?"

I didn't answer. My lips trembled as I wrote him to let me go.

He still didn't say a word. Every time I tried to leave, he just caught my hand, refusing to let me.

I turned back toward him and gave him a sarcastic smile.

I knew full well he couldn't understand sign language, but I still made the gesture to mock him.

[Wasn't all of this your doing? Are you happy now?]

Edward finally let go of my hand, and I hobbled my way out of the hospital, only to run straight into Kimberly.

She shot me a surprised look, her gaze dropping straight to my messed-up feet.

Kimberly gave a snarky laugh. "Isabelle, are you trying to use this little trick to get Edward's attention again? Well, you've still got a way with manipulation."

I looked at her sweet, innocent face. I knew exactly how cruel she could be.

In my second year behind bars, Kimberly actually showed up at the prison and confessed she had framed me.

Edward knew the whole story from the start, but he still made me serve the full five years, just so I would learn the lesson.

Kimberly said, "Don't give me that look. I really don't like it."

She stood there like she owned the place with that chilling smile.

I just walked past her in silence.

Kimberly, annoyed, tried to grab me until she spotted Edward. In an instant, her voice softened, sweet and pitiful.

"Isabelle, please don't be mad at me," she said, hurrying after me.

Pain shot through my leg with every step, cold sweat dripping down my face.

Kimberly yanked my shoulder, her nails biting deep into my flesh.

She continued, "Isabelle, I'm sorry. Even though you tried to have me assaulted, I did run away. Edward shouldn't have overreacted. I'm sorry, okay?"

People started turning to look our way.

The whispers spreading felt just like that first day in prison.

Whether it was the inmates or the guards, they had all taken Kimberly's side.

She was the one who came out clean, so whatever she said was automatically true.

And me? The one with "proof" of stolen money and a recorded confession—I was the villain.

I was shaking so badly, and with all those eyes on me, I could barely breathe.

I collapsed to the ground, and no one came to help. Only those strange, cold eyes followed me, as if saying that I got what I deserved.

Edward frowned as he walked over, but Kimberly immediately grabbed him, pressing herself against him and acting all fragile.

Even now, she was still playing the victim.

She said, "Edward, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I brought this on Isabelle."

She kept apologizing, sounding so painfully sincere.

Edward frowned and looked at her.

He let out a long sigh and reached down to stroke her hair.

He said, "This has nothing to do with you. She got what she deserved."