Chapter 3
Once I'd calmed down, still feeling a bit uneasy, I asked him, "Edward, would you..."
He instantly knew what I was getting at.
He suggested I use an app to access his phone remotely and look through his photo album myself.
I took a look.
There really weren't any screenshots at all.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have doubted you," I said.
Edward chuckled. "Silly buns, it's good to have your guard up."
Then he sent me $150.
"Alright, I've got to work overtime. Go hang out with your friends for a bit," he said.
As usual, after nine at night, Edward always started working overtime.
Afterwards, he rarely replied to my messages.
That 150 bucks Edward sent me let me flex hard in front of my roommates.
They always said I was broke.
Ever since they found out I was dating Edward, their attitude totally changed.
"Anna, how did you score such an amazing guy? I wish I had a dream boyfriend who buys me Cartier and drops cash like it's nothing," one of them joked.
"I'm so jealous, Anna. Your boyfriend's got a great education, he's loaded, and he's not even a playboy. Even with how busy he is, he still keeps you updated every day," another chimed in.
All their praise made me feel like I was walking on air.
I was even more proud to have Edward as my boyfriend.
After that, whenever he wanted to see me on video calls, I'd agree without a second thought.
Nancy reacted fast, grabbing the cup before it could tip over.
She kept the drink from spilling all over me.
I awkwardly wiped the table with a tissue, my eyes brimming with tears.
Nancy said, "He only skipped saving your photos that one time.
"After that, he saved photos every time.
"Now I see it. He really fooled you, Anna."
Nancy laid it all out, her voice steady and calm.
I covered my mouth, trying not to let the sobs escape.
I didn't even dare to think about what Edward might've done with those photos behind my back, and if he'd spread those photos around or sent them to someone else.
"But it's okay now," Nancy reassured me.
Nancy deleted the photos from her phone and cleared the recycle bin.
She said, "I've already deleted all the photos from his phone, just like this.
"I even checked his USB drives at home and his cloud albums. I'm pretty sure there aren't any backups left."
"Thank you," I whispered.
My head was spinning, and it felt like all the strength had left my body.
I just couldn't wrap my head around why Edward would treat me this way.
Just then, my phone started ringing.
It was Edward calling.
He'd been blowing up my phone with messages, but I hadn't replied to any of them.
I glanced at Nancy.
She nodded for me to answer.
"Hey, honey, what are you up to? I just got off work. Have you left for the movies yet? Want me to come pick you up?" Edward asked.
As I listened to Edward's voice, it felt like I was hearing a stranger.
Just this morning, his voice sounded so warm and comforting.
When I heard it now, it only made my skin crawl.
I fought hard to keep the tears from spilling out.
Then I tried to sound casual. "No, it's fine. I'm not feeling well. Let's go to the movies another time."
"Is it serious? I'll take you to the hospital," Edward said, his voice gentle, as if he truly cared about me.
I zoned out for a moment.
Suddenly, I remembered that time I was really sick with the flu.
I wanted to ask for leave so I could go see a doctor, but my counselor wouldn't let me, saying I needed my parents to write a note first.
But my parents never really bothered about how I was feeling.
They thought going to the hospital was way too expensive, and that hospitals always overcharge.
They always said I was young and could get better on my own, that I should just tough it out for a few days without any medicine, so I'd get stronger in the end.
I told Edward about it.
He dropped everything at work, rushed straight to my school, and pretended to be my uncle so he could sign me out.
I couldn't hold back the tears anymore.
Before I started sobbing, I hurriedly hung up the phone.
Edward didn't call back.
Instead, Nancy's phone started ringing.
She had his contact saved under his full name.
She answered and put it on speaker.
Edward's voice had lost all its earlier warmth.
He demanded coldly, "Did you talk to her?"
Nancy absentmindedly stirred her lemonade, not even glancing up.
"Who are you talking about?" she replied, cool as ever.
Edward said, "Drop the act, Nancy. I know you're in on everything.
"If you've got something to say, talk to me directly. Don't make things difficult for Anna. She's still young and doesn't know any better."
Edward texted me: [Anna, I tracked your location. You're at the café by the school gate, right? Don't leave. I'm on my way.]
I took a deep breath.
Feeling miserable, I blocked him everywhere.
He was even tracking my phone.
With my head down, I apologized to Nancy, "I'm sorry."
Nancy shook her head.
She said gently, "It's not your fault. I hope you can move on soon."
I opened my mouth, wanting to ask what she was going to do from here on out.
But after thinking it over, I didn't say anything.
Whether she planned to stay with Edward or not, it had nothing to do with me anymore.