Chapter 3

Emily came by with Daisy early the next morning to apologize to me.

Ever since her divorce, she'd been dropping by more and more often.

No matter if she was living here or not, her room was always kept for her. It was the brightest spot in the whole villa.

During the years she was gone, it was cleaned every day with no one allowed inside.

As soon as Emily saw me coming down the stairs, she jumped up from the couch, accidentally knocking the pudding from Daisy's hand.

Right in front of my mom, she spoke in a voice that begged for sympathy.

She said, "Edward asked me to come and apologize. I honestly thought you invited me, which is why I brought Daisy.

"It's all on me. Could you please stop being upset with Edward? He was exhausted all day yesterday and had to drive back at night. It was really tough for him."

I watched Emily's clumsy act and said, "Did you really think I was the one who invited you? If that was the case, then why the hell did you leave me behind?"

A weird smile crossed Emily's gentle face, and then, in front of me, she pinched her daughter hard.

As soon as Daisy burst into tears, my mom, not understanding what was happening, scooped her up with a look of concern and immediately turned on me.

She said, "Emily has already moved out. How much longer are you going to keep this up?

"Even if there really is something between Emily and Edward, it's your own fault. Just think about why Edward is losing interest in you."

My nose stung with tears, and I muttered, "If you all think I'm not good enough, then let's just call off the engagement."

"Go ahead. Do you think you can threaten us?" My younger brother Justin Adams, who was in college, came running in, with Edward trailing behind in silence.

Justin shoved me out of the way and planted himself right in front of Emily, like he was her bodyguard.

He glared at me. "Olivia, just because Mom and Dad feel guilty doesn't mean you get to run wild. Emily is the only sister I've got.

"If you ever mess with her again, I'll make sure you pay."

No one in this house liked me, and I knew that all along.

However, for them to put their dislike for me right out in the open? That was a first.

The funny thing was, Justin and I actually looked a lot alike.

We were supposed to be close, but now it felt like we were total strangers,

I didn't say another word. I just turned and walked away.

I stopped beside Edward and forced a bitter smile. "Edward, was Emily's apology good enough for you?"

Edward's heart twisted painfully, but he was at a loss for words.

A few days later, they called me home to talk about breaking off the engagement.

Edward was there, along with his parents.

I thought it would be quick and easy, but it turned out it wasn't nearly as simple as I'd hoped.

Everyone was against it, even Justin, who hated my guts.

I gave him a puzzled look, but he just rolled his eyes and snorted dismissively.

He said, "Don't think this is about you. I just think if you call off the engagement, you'll embarrass the Adams family."

Isabel took my hand, but her smile was all for show.

She said, "This is Edward's fault. He just felt bad for Emily, who was trying to raise a kid on her own. He just wanted to help her.

"It's really not a big deal. There's no need to blow it out of proportion."

Mom shot me a look, silently warning, "Enough. Keep pushing, and this won't end well."

Everyone thought I was just trying to compete with Emily, hoping Edward would come over and try to make it up to me.

None of them believed I genuinely wanted out of this relationship.

After a moment of silence, I took a deep breath.

"That's enough. Can't you see Olivia is about to cry?" Edward strode over, took my hand, and led me out of the room.

For a split second, I almost believed he was still the one on my side.

I pressed my hand to my aching chest, forcing myself to calm down.

Edward pulled me into his arms again, but this time, there was no warmth left in his embrace.

He said, "Olivia, please, just give me one more chance. I can't live without you."

He sounded sincere, but inside, I stayed completely calm.

The wedding would proceed as planned, scheduled for the end of this year.

Everyone assumed that after all these years with Edward, I'd never let go so easily. They thought my coldness toward him was just me sulking, and that I'd get over it soon enough.

No one knew that I was quietly making plans to join a volunteer program in a remote town.

I was about to leave this place.

Maybe Edward still loved me, and maybe he was just confused that day when he left me behind, but I wouldn't stake my marriage on the gamble of his unpredictable love.