Chapter 3
Five days later, Edward returned as if nothing had happened.
He couldn't hold back his excitement. "I'm giving you the biggest welcome this farm has ever seen. Everyone's gonna know you're back."
The car stopped in front of the newly constructed outdoor stage, set up specially to welcome the bigwigs for their visit.
Edward walked me in.
Reporters from Niverton and officials from every rank had already filled the place.
"Mr. Collins is absolutely the most lovesick guy here. He even brought out every single spotlight on the farm just to capture Sophia's smile."
"I heard he went out of his way to get the dress and the shoes she's wearing tonight from Sundale through some connections. Those red shoes alone are worth more than most people's salaries."
"Wow, they're really in deep love with each other."
I stood in the backstage room, wrapped up in all those admiring, jealous stares.
Edward pulled me tightly against him, his eyes so gentle that I felt like I could melt away in them.
Still, I knew I wasn't the only one he cared about now.
The pre-show music started playing, and I went to change into my costume, getting ready to step onto the stage.
"Mr. Collins," came a soft, frail voice backstage. "I brought your stuff."
Edward and I turned around at the same time.
It was Lila, clutching a green canvas bag, her face pale—she had that fragile look that just made people wanna shield her from everything.
Edward's face clouded over in an instant. "Your injury still hasn't healed. What are you doing here? It should be Jack doing the job."
Lila's eyes shimmered with tears. "Mr. Scott went to work with the new recruits. I just didn't want to hold up Sophia's performance."
Edward looked at me, his anger softening into pure warmth. "Sophia, change your costume first."
He pushed me into the dressing room. As soon as I slipped into my dress, I caught the sound of stifled moans drifting from the room next door.
"Don't. Sophia is just right next door." Lila's voice trembled, barely above a whisper.
"Doesn't matter," Edward said, his tone strict but softening with worry. "You ran all the way here with your injuries. Do you have any idea how worried I am?"
What followed were frantic kisses and soft moans.
I felt disgusted.
Seriously, could he not even wait a minute?
I stumbled back to the mirror and numbly started putting on my makeup, going through the motions like a robot.
Twenty minutes later, Edward came back with Lila, her cheeks flushed and her hair a little messy.
He strolled over to me, casually adjusting my collar like it was nothing. "Sophia, there are tons of officials out there tonight. Lila's still injured, so it'd be a hassle for her to leave now—just let her watch from the wings, alright?"
I swallowed my disgust and turned my head away.
The curtains rose, and I performed his favorite piece, Ode to the Hills.
Edward sat front and center, his gaze utterly captivated, completely immersed—as if he'd stepped right into the story himself.
Lila stood at the edge of the stage, her fingers twisting nervously at her dress.
Suddenly, she looked up at the big wooden backdrop hanging right over my head. "Hey, this looks loose. Is it this rope? Let me tighten it up."
And with those words, she just reached out and pulled the rope.
"Stop. Don't touch that!" a crew member shrieked from the side of the stage.
However, it was already too late.
A loud snap exploded overhead as the huge wooden board—painted with a slogan—lost its restraints and came crashing down, straight at the center of the stage.
In that split second, time seemed to freeze, and I saw everything, clear as day.
Edward didn't pause for even a heartbeat; he rushed straight to Lila at the side of the stage and, without thinking, dragged her into a safe corner.
Meanwhile, at the center of the stage, I was hit by the board.