Chapter 5
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of Edward talking on the phone, standing by the window.
His voice drifted over, bits and pieces reaching my ears.
He said, "I always feel I owe her. She's been with me all this time, without the recognition she deserves. Once things settle down, I want to take her to Iridia, and we'll have a real wedding there."
My eyes stung with tears, and I quickly buried my face in the blanket, hiding myself away.
It'd been over seven years, and Edward and I still hadn't had a proper wedding. I always thought he'd long forgotten about it.
When someone was diagnosed with a terminal illness, there was no way they could stay strong.
Out of nowhere, I felt like telling him the truth.
I didn't care about the wedding anymore. For whatever time I had left, I wanted him by my side, treating me kindly like he used to.
Edward pulled the blanket off my head and saw my eyes red and swollen from crying.
He apologized, "I'm sorry about what happened last night."
With death staring me in the face, I didn't want to hold grudges anymore.
After all, I only had a month or so left. My heart wouldn't let me be cold to him, and I still couldn't bear to let him go.
I said, "Come home early tonight. I have something I want to tell you."
I had to admit that I was being selfish. I knew that telling him about my illness would break his heart.
But I couldn't help myself.
I wanted to see even a flicker of pain in his eyes, to have him stay by my side and take care of me.
Trying to handle all this pain alone was too much for me.
Edward leaned in and kissed me, a bit emotional.
"Alright. I have something to tell you, too. Let's talk it out properly," he said.
His kisses trailed from my lips down to my neck, his passion slipping out of control for a moment.
I pressed my hand against his chest. "Come on, you should head to work now."
He looked guilty, his eyes a little red, but he restrained himself and didn't touch me again.
I felt okay today, so I went to the design studio.
Not long after I arrived, Emily showed up and headed straight for my office.
She handed me the wedding dress design. "I need this for my wedding on July 7th. Can you rush the dress for me?"
Suddenly, I remembered what Edward had said on the phone this morning.
My mind went fuzzy for a moment, and I blurted, "Custom wedding dresses here cost a fortune."
She looked both anxious and a little shy. "Edward said your dresses are gorgeous. Name your price. We'll pay whatever it takes.
"Don't worry. We won't use any of your shared money. It won't mess up your divorce stuff."
I knew Edward had plenty of money from before we got married.
I said, "It'll cost you 3 million."
Emily paused for a second and nodded. "Alright. I'll have Edward transfer it to you."
Her cheeks turned a little pink as she thanked me and walked out.
Half an hour later, I got a notification that Edward had sent me the money.
He was generous. He sent over 6 million, twice what I asked for.
Jenna noticed my face had gone pale and hurried over, her voice full of concern. "Ms. Nolan, are you okay?"
I shook my head and gestured for her to step out.
That was when it hit me. I'd been so clueless.
Edward and I had been married on paper for years.
So, the one he'd talked about on the phone this morning couldn't be me. It was Emily.
The wedding he'd mentioned wasn't meant for me at all.
And when he'd said he had something to tell me tonight, he'd wanted to rush the divorce.