Chapter 2

They spent the whole afternoon at the beach before finally heading back to the hotel.

When they got there, the front desk told them that the presidential suite Emily had been staying in had been checked out.

She'd been staying in my room, and since I never showed up, it made sense they'd cancel it.

Edward tried to book another room for Emily, but the front desk said there were no rooms available.

Everyone knew this hotel was owned by the Adams Group, so it was obvious I was behind it.

Emily's voice caught, sounding fragile. "Is Olivia mad at me? It's all my fault. If I weren't so slow, you wouldn't have had to spend all that time helping me.

"Edward, maybe Daisy and I should just leave."

Edward seemed a bit flustered, but not because she was leaving.

He just remembered that he had forgotten to come back for me.

It was getting dark, and honestly, there was nowhere Emily could go with Daisy in this strange city.

Edward couldn't bear to let them leave.

He reached out and grabbed Emily's wrist, his tone firm. "Don't be ridiculous. This has nothing to do with you. Olivia's anger is directed at me, not you.

"Stay in my room tonight. I'll go back myself."

Edward asked his friends to take care of Emily and Daisy. Without even grabbing the luggage, he was already heading out, his steps more urgent than usual.

However, Emily stopped him. "Let me come with you. If Olivia is upset, I can try to explain."

Edward thought for a moment, then finally agreed.

He knew I was stubborn and that I wouldn't budge until he showed up.

And if I were really mad, it'd take forever to get me to forgive him.

Besides, it was easier for women to talk things out, so he brought Emily along as well.

However, Daisy was way too young for a five-hour drive, and there was no way they could just leave all their stuff behind.

An extra hour went by just packing up their things.

Edward wasn't exactly the patient type. The fact that he waited in the car for Emily for a whole hour really said something.

Emily, sitting beside him in the car, was worried he hadn't eaten all day and might be hungry.

She'd feed him a cookie every now and then, keeping him warm.

I saw all of this in the fifteenth Instagram story Emily had posted today.

I sent the video to Edward and told him we were over.

"Don't bother coming back. We're done," I said.

After making sure Emily and Daisy got home safe, Edward finally showed up at the place we'd agreed on, but I wasn't there.

Only a few cars were parked here and there under the dim streetlights, and the whole place was dead quiet.

Suddenly, a wave of panic hit him out of nowhere.

He couldn't even put it into words. It was like he was about to lose something really important.

That feeling hit its peak when he saw the text I'd sent.

Breaking up with Edward didn't feel as relieved as I'd imagined.

Honestly, I didn't even know what was going on with me.

I'd already made up my mind to give up on this relationship, but why did I feel like crying now? And the fact that it ended because of Emily made it even worse.

My phone buzzed; it was Edward calling.

I just stared at the screen as it went dark, then lit up again, lost in a daze.

When did Edward, the guy who swore he'd always protect me, start choosing Emily over me?

I was ten when I reunited with the Adams family.

However, when I got home, there was already a girl my age living there.

That day, I wore a shirt that had faded from washing, and my shoes were worn and cracked.

I met the gaze of a girl upstairs, dressed in a beautiful dress, clutching a doll.

It was like we lived in two different worlds.

Back then, I kept thinking that if I hadn't gone missing, she wouldn't have any of this; it would all be mine.

Later, I found out the girl I'd envied and resented was actually just the nanny's daughter, Emily Lane.

For a long time, the Adams family completely shut me out.

They hated the habits I'd picked up outside, always comparing me to Emily, the one they'd raised as their own.

However, Edward was different; he'd always been the only one on my side. Now, even the only person who ever chose me was about to leave me.

After a long while, my phone was still buzzing.

I finally picked it up.

Edward's voice, usually so casual, carried a hint of nervousness. "Olivia, I'm downstairs. Can we talk for a bit?"

Edward leaned against the car door, staring up at my window.

I threw on a jacket and headed downstairs to meet him.

I had a million questions for him, but the moment I saw him, all of them vanished. I just broke down in tears.

Edward rushed over and wrapped me in his arms, swearing over and over that it would never happen again.

I pushed him away.

I had to admit that I was a little out of control at that moment.

I said, "Edward, don't you get it? Emily is the one person I can't stand; she's always trying to take everything from me. Haven't you noticed?"

For a moment, Edward's eyes showed regret.

He said, "Look, I know I screwed up, Olivia. I'm really sorry. I swear I won't see Emily ever again."

My vision blurred, and I just broke down, crying even harder.

I was done with all the broken promises.

I said, "Just leave. Tomorrow, I'll tell my parents I want to break off the engagement. If you want to be with someone else, you can tell them yourself."

I didn't look at Edward's face. I didn't even know why I came down to see him.

The moment I stepped outside, I just wanted to ask him why he suddenly gave up on me.

However, the answer I was hoping for never came, and all I got was an apology.

And right then, it hit me. Love was fragile and easily shattered.