Nathan firmly said, "Mr. Fowler, it's true I wasn't there when you two met or got to know each other. I didn't witness the seven years you and Macie spent as classmates. But based on my recent observations, Macie really doesn't love you anymore."Edward's face darkened with rage. He was ready to lash out, but before he could speak, Nathan continued, "Didn't you buy Macie a new phone? I delivered it on your behalf. She didn't even want to accept it. She almost threw it straight into the trash."And that meal you had delivered. Do you know why she ate it? It was because I didn't tell her that it came from you. I told her that it was from the Fowler family. Otherwise, she might've poured it straight down the drain."Haven't you been in love before? Maybe with your ex-girlfriend? Don't you get it? The first sign a woman's stopped loving you is when she turns cold and distant. That's exactly what's happening now. Macie doesn't even answer your calls."Edward stood frozen. His eyes were
"Save those words for Macie, if she's still willing to listen," Nathan said, sighing."Then does that mean I still have a chance? I can explain everything to Macie!" Edward excitedly said, his eyes lighting up."There's probably no chance. Didn't you see how decisively Macie left? Her heart was already completely shattered," Nathan said.But then he recalled Macie's words. She had said, "Edward only listens to what he wants to listen". So, Nathan forced a smile and said, "You should at least try. You won't have regrets that way.""I definitely won't let anything happen that I'll regret. As long as I apologize to Macie and explain everything, she'll forgive me for sure," Edward said with renewed determination. He was full of confidence.Nathan looked at him. One moment, he was drowning in gloom; the next, he was full of energy as if someone had injected him with adrenaline.He inwardly wished Edward the best of luck. Clearly, he wouldn't stop until he ran headfirst into a wall.W
Nathan was starting to regret helping Edward realize his feelings. He felt the usual Edward was more real—this version in front of him seemed like a man possessed.He even thought it might be better if Ethan went back to liking Sharon than staying in this mess.Suddenly, the two of them seemed like a better match.After hesitating several times, Nathan still express his true thoughts. He was afraid that Edward would break down completely and spiral into depression."Macie was hurt so deeply by you. Think about it. Do you really think she'll forgive you that easily?" Nathan asked, trying to reason with him.Hearing that, Edward clenched his fists tighter, overcome with guilt and regret. He knew exactly how he had treated Macie, especially over the past month.He had pushed her so hard that she fractured her tailbone. During the gas leak, he had left her behind. Even if it wasn't on purpose, Macie had nearly died.He was guilty beyond redemption. He knew that Macie wouldn't forgiv
Sharon asked, "Do I really disgust you that much? You clearly had strong feelings for me. I don't believe your love for me could disappear overnight. Not after two years.""I told you already," Edward said coldly. "I stopped loving you when we broke up two years ago.""I don't believe that," she shot back. "You weren't like this just a little while ago. You even kissed—"Before she could finish, Edward grabbed her jaw firmly to silence her."That was just me trying to figure out if I still had any feelings for you," he snapped. "But every time I get close to you, I only think about Macie. She's the one I love."Four days ago, he'd said he didn't love Macie. But now, he was admitting it to Sharon's face.Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her fists clenched at her sides. She hated Macie more than anything at that moment."So, you never really loved me, did you?" she cried. "That's the only way you could've moved on so fast." She continued, "Do you even know how much I loved you?
Edward turned his head, clenched his fists, and glared at Sharon. Every word out of her mouth reminded him of just how monstrous he'd been and how deeply he'd hurt Macie. Regret twisted with pain inside him. He wanted nothing more than to slap himself across the face."Ed, I know you still love me. I don't know how you ever convinced yourself you had feelings for Macie, but it's not real."When he didn't speak, she thought her words were starting to sink in. She stepped closer and continued to work him."You just weren't used to her being gone. Anyone would get attached after two years—even if it was just a dog. You simply mistook that familiarity for love."In your heart, the one you truly care about is me. Think about it. Every time I got hurt, who was the one who panicked? Who came running without a second thought?""Shut up!" Edward roared, his face twisted in fury."Do you think I can't tell the difference between loving and not loving someone? I'm not a fool. I don't need
"Macie never took me from you," Edward said. "It was Grandpa who forced her to marry me."However, Sharon didn't believe him. It wasn't as though she didn't know about Macie's feelings for Edward. She knew that Macie had liked him since high school.But, of course, Sharon would never say that out loud. After all, why would she do Macie any favors? If anything, she was hoping that the two of them would split for good."Ed, you and Macie are already divorced. It's in the past. Why don't we start over?" she persisted.Sharon has a long history with Edward. She had "known" him since high school, and they started dating in college. After all the effort she'd put into their relationship, she wouldn't give up on their relationship that easily."Who wants to start over with you? I'm not even divorced," Edward spat.He gritted his teeth and glared at her. Just hearing the word "divorce" made him tense up. He insisted that he hadn't divorced Macie."How is that possible? The paperwork was
This time, no one would offer Sharon ten million dollars to leave Edward. She'd vanish without a trace, like a filthy rat scurrying through the shadows."I admit it. I slipped the divorce agreement inside and made you sign it," she said through sobs as she crawled over and clung to his leg.After hearing her confession, his rage exploded, and he kicked her away.Sharon grunted in pain and continued through the sobs, "But it was Macie who made me do it. She doesn't love you anymore. She wanted a divorce, but you refused. She had no choice but to come to me for help."I swear. I wasn't hiding anything from you. She made me promise not to tell you. "I'm her friend. I had to help her, Ed. I had to…""Bullshit! She loves me and would never ask for a divorce," Edward shouted. He continued, "You're the one who drove a wedge between us. It's you who tricked me into signing the divorce agreement. That divorce means nothing."Edward couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't wait until tomorr
Edward was so furious that he nearly ripped the page on the spot. He couldn't even bear to look at it. His jealousy was eating him alive as his eyes burned with rage.But just as he began to rip the corner, he stopped. After all, this was Macie's diary, which held her memories. He figured that he could still use the excuse of returning it to find her.Edward was filled with jealousy. He stormed over, snatched the other half of the diary from Sharon's hands, then slammed the door shut.He couldn't bring himself to look at the diary. It had been with Macie since high school and through college. Even after they got married, she still carried it with her everywhere. He figured that she must've really liked her first love.Edward gritted his teeth. His heart was heavy with unspoken frustration and sorrow. This made him envy and hate that bastard even more.Overcome by emotion, he nearly tore the diary again. But after several moments of inner conflict, he forced himself to stop.Edwar
Sean thought that Edward was truly scum. Alice had said that the one who stirred up trouble that day was Edward's ex-girlfriend—the same woman he had flaunted publicly as his mistress while still married.Now, Macie and Edward were divorced, yet the mistress still showed up in front of the ex-wife, while Edward just stood by and did nothing. Sean really thought that Edward was a piece of trash.Not long after, the officer from the interrogation room emerged again, this time with a few others."Mr. Hart, Ms. Hart, Ms. Smith," he addressed them. "Surveillance footage confirms that the suspect was the first to lay hands on Ms. Smith and made a deliberate attempt to drag her into a car by the roadside. This establishes criminal intent."Also, our investigation confirms that the three men were not the suspect's bodyguards, but were hired by her. They've admitted to receiving payment from the suspect to abduct Ms. Smith."Alice immediately said, "I knew it! Sharon was still making excus
Alice knew that her own injury wasn't even worth mentioning, so she walked over to Macie and tugged up the sleeve of her shirt. She stated, "Look at this. May's arm is going to be all bruised by tomorrow."Sean looked at the woman Alice had pulled over. Her fair, slender arm was covered in several glaring marks. It was evidently caused by someone grabbing her forcefully. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.Macie felt uneasy under his stare and quickly pulled her sleeve back down. But the moment she did, Alice yanked it up again and turned toward the officers."Look at this. Does that woman look like she came just to talk things out? If she only wanted to talk, why did she get physical?"The officers glanced at Macie's arm. Just then, Sean's voice cut in, cold and sharp. "My sister and her friend were attacked. I hope your station handles this seriously and doesn't let the perpetrators walk away unpunished."The officers turned to Sean. The man had an overwhelming presence. Eve
"Who could possibly beat you?" Sean asked.Alice snapped, "I'm not joking! Edward's ex-girlfriend ambushed me and May, and she brought three thugs with her! May and I both got hurt! And they ruined my favorite handbag!"Sean furrowed his brow when he heard this. Alice kept going on, full of grievance and rage, until he cut in, saying, "Send me the location of the police station."Alice hung up and saw that the police had already arrived. They had come just in time.Sharon and the three men were all caught. Not a single one got away.The three of them headed to the nearby police station. It was the same one as before. Macie and Julian were already familiar with the place.In the lobby, Alice sent Sean the location. The three gave their statements while Sharon and the men were taken into an interrogation room.When they finished, one of the officers came out to mediate. "Ms. Emerson said that those men are her bodyguards. She claims that she wasn't trying to abduct anyone. It seem
When Macie heard that Edward had driven Sharon away, she was a little surprised. Alice was even more shocked, but Macie quickly said coldly, "I really did get divorced. He's the one who keeps pestering me. We're going to court next week." She glanced at Sharon. "Once that's over, Edward and I will have nothing to do with each other. Don't believe me? Come to the court yourself."Sharon frowned when she heard that, clearly unconvinced.What if they went to court and the divorce didn't go through? Then she would just end up being played yet again."May's right. She and that scumbag Edward are definitely getting divorced," Alice said mockingly. "You're the only one who still treats him like he's some kind of prize. No one else gives a damn. "You two had better lock it down. When you get married, I'll show up with a gift and wish you all the happiness in the world."Sharon shot Alice a glare. Wasn't this the same woman who had bragged last time that Edward was about to marry her?
Sean couldn't help but think to himself that he'd really gone too far. He wondered how he was any different from the bullies who had tormented Macie.He remembered how Macie had looked that morning with her anger held back, forced to endure his teasing with a fake smile. Meanwhile, he found it amusing, as if it were some kind of game to him.He couldn't believe what a monster he had been.Macie's quiet demeanor was the result of years of enduring suffering, with her anger only surfacing when she was pushed too far.Macie was a young woman with a vintage landscape as her profile picture—someone who had already seen the world's harshness and matured well beyond her years. And all of this was the result of childhood trauma and constant bullying. At this moment, Sean could no longer dismiss what Alice had told him. He fully believed her now. …After returning to her private office downstairs, Alice didn't dare admit to Macie how spineless she had felt. All she could do was firmly
"Stop it right now. Don't bully my friend anymore, or I swear I won't let you off easy," Alice warned. However, Sean didn't even flinch, arrogantly ignoring her threat.Alice was furious, but there was nothing she could do. She wouldn't win if she argued or fought with Sean. He could easily slap her down to the ground, and she wouldn't even be able to get back up. If anyone else had bullied Macie, she would have gone all in, but this person was Sean—her brother, the one who had always pushed her around since they were kids.Alice sighed, moving from anger to helplessness, feeling stuck and useless. She couldn't protect Macie and felt she wasn't a good friend. "Macie has already been through enough. Can't you show a little compassion? Stop bullying an innocent, vulnerable lady!" Alice tried softening her tone. "You don't know how much Macie has suffered. Do you even have an ounce of human decency?" She switched tactics, telling him everything she knew about Macie's past and th
It looked like Macie hadn't just been flustered—she'd fully entered rage monster mode. Sean could imagine her fists flew, as if they could actually do damage, even though they barely stung. He genuinely found it endearing.When Sean finished reading the last screenshot, he closed the chat and saw a new message from Alice. Her text read, "So, are you going to explain why you were flirting with my friend? "And what about the things you said to Edward last night? It sounds like you meant what you said. You weren't just playing along with me."Did you put your arm around Macie's waist? Hold her hand? You had better come clean!" Sean just typed a simple response. He typed, "Go ask her if I did that." Alice, on the other end, was speechless.Sometimes, Alice really wondered if Sean was just a brooding, black-bellied guy with an obsession with keeping things mysterious. She didn't respond right away. Instead, she stormed over to his office, yanked a chair out, and took a seat rig
Alice immediately called Macie, venting all her frustration about Sean. She cursed him as much as she could, even bringing up stories from their childhood to illustrate just how terrible he had been.Macie listened to how Alice described her miserable childhood, living under the shadow of Sean, enduring various "torments".As Alice spoke, Macie couldn't help but picture that insufferable face, and she felt that it wasn't surprising he could do such things. If he treated his own sister that way, what would he do to her? Indeed, some people's bad habits formed when they were young. Macie felt sympathy for Alice, and what started as one person venting turned into a united front, two people joining in on the complaints."Ugh, my brother's the worst. When we were kids, he ripped the ears off my plush bunny, and then claimed it was the turtle pillow that did it." Alice continued, venting, "I love cake, but I got cavities. He'd eat it right in front of me and mock me for not being able
Not far from Macie's workstation, Lily had been listening to their conversation, especially when Macie, with a hint of pride, casually mentioned her good relationship with Sean. Lily's fists tightened, and a flash of hatred and jealousy crossed her eyes. There was also a sense of helplessness and resentment. Julian hadn't fired her, but had only made her apologize publicly in the company's group chat, and now this happened.Macie was not only Alice's friend, but she also had a close relationship with Sean. Moreover, Julian clearly favored Macie, openly confessing his admiration for her.Macie's relationships within the department would only be stronger. Her promotion to team leader would only be a matter of time. Lily had crossed her, and sooner or later, she'd be the one getting sidelined. Lily was already worried about her future and deeply regretted causing trouble for Macie on her first day. She shouldn't have tried to embarrass her last night either. At her desk, with ju