Chapter 4

It was 11:00 pm when Macie got home. She didn't keep the lights in the living room on because she knew that Edward might spend the night with Sharon elsewhere. He wouldn't come home.

She carried the first-aid kit and hauled her pain-ridden body to her small bedroom.

Her two-year marriage was just a sham. Edward saved himself for Sharon and refused to let Macie anywhere near his main bedroom.

When she thought back to it, she realized that it wasn't that bad after all. She'd be disgusted with herself if Edward took her.

She quickly disinfected the wounds on her elbow and the back of her feet. When she was done, she was too spent to even store away the first-aid kit. She left it on her bedside table, thinking to put it away the next morning.

She changed into her pajamas and lay in bed. Pain shot up from the base of her spine as she shifted, forcing her to inhale sharply.

She softened her movements. Eyes closed, she shut all the thoughts out of her mind. Soon, she grew drowsy.

Meanwhile, Edward sent Sharon back to her hotel as Macie drifted off to sleep.

"Edward, will you see me to my room?" Sharon cooed and stared at him flirtatiously from the front passenger seat, dropping hints.

He acted oblivious to the hints. While driving, his eyes occasionally glanced at the screen in his car.

For some unknown reason, he felt irritated and angered. He had dialed Macie's number 20 times, but she didn't pick up.

Sharon watched Edward steal occasional glances at the screen. The number on it looked familiar. Edward didn't save it under a name, but she knew that she had seen it somewhere.

She pulled out her phone and checked the texts to Macie in her inbox.

That number on the car screen was the same as Macie's.

Sharon clenched her jaw as jealousy flashed across her eyes.

At that moment, they arrived at her hotel. When Edward pulled over, she asked him, "Edward, we haven't seen each other for two years. Why don't you walk me to my room?"

While speaking, she placed her hand on his back and slid her finger into his unbuttoned shirt sleeve.

It was a suggestive move that couldn't have been lost on Edward. However, he only removed her hand and opened the car door for her.

"You get back to your room for now. I'm going to look for Macie because she's not picking up."

Sharon got up to leave. She stared into his eyes and bit her lip, her expression full of heartbreak.

"Have you fallen in love with May? Why else do you care for her so much? You've been calling her since I was at the hospital getting my leg checked out," she confronted Edward with tears in her eyes.

Without thinking, Edward denied it. "That's impossible! I will never fall in love with a woman who has hurt you multiple times!

"I'm looking for her so that she doesn't complain to Grandpa! I don't want Grandpa to cause you any trouble!"

Edward thought that his explanation made a lot of sense.

Sharon stopped crying and smiled when she heard that. It was just as she had thought. Edward was still in love with her.

She flirted with him again. "Kiss me, and I'll believe in you."

Edward stared at her. His lips tightened into a line.

She wrapped both arms around his neck, ready for a deep and romantic kiss, only for him to give her a peck on her forehead.

Dissatisfied, she went for his lips, but he dodged it.

"Edward, you…" Sharon's eyes brimmed with tears again. "You don't love me anymore, as expected! Are you still resentful of me for leaving you two years ago? But you knew I was innocent! Your grandpa—"

Feeling indignant, she tried to explain herself.

He cut her off and gently pushed her away. "You're overthinking it. We're outside the hotel, in a public area. I don't want the paparazzi to take photos that might affect your career."

She looked disappointed when he shoved her aside. How could she hold onto him now? And was he really in love with Macie?

Edward, who had gotten into his car, noticed Sharon crying once again. He said, "I'll pick you up for lunch tomorrow. You've had a difficult day. Get some rest soon."

That put the smile back on her face. She replied with understanding, "Great. Let's meet tomorrow. Drive safe. Love you."

His lips moved, but he couldn't bring himself to say "I love you" back. He merely gave her a nod before driving away.

"Love you too." He had repeatedly said the same words to Sharon, but this time, it was tough for him to say it aloud. He wondered if it was because they had lived apart for two years.

Meanwhile, Sharon stood at the same spot, clenching her fist with a vicious and determined look in her eyes. She was determined to get what she wanted.

…

Edward dialed Macie's number again when he was on the road. Frustrated, he stepped on the gas and nearly exceeded the speed limit.

After leaving the hospital, he drove around the area but couldn't spot Macie anywhere. He assumed that she had gone home.

Once he entered the garage and parked his car, he jogged over to the elevator and rode it to his unit. He unlocked the door with his biometrics, expecting to see the lights switched on in the living room, only to be greeted by darkness.

In the past, Macie always left a light on for him, no matter how late he returned home. If she were drowsy, she would sleep on the couch so that she could serve him some hot soup when he came home.

Edward struggled to get used to the dark living room for the first time in two years. The first thought he had was that Macie hadn't come home.

He turned on the lights and noticed Macie's shoes by the door. Her home slippers were missing, which meant that she was home.

He wondered why she hadn't turned the lights on and answered his calls.

Enraged, he didn't even have time to change into his home slippers before he rushed to the guest bedroom.

He twisted the door knob, but when he couldn't open the door, he banged his fists against it and yelled, "Macie Smith, get out now! Have you forgotten your place after two years of marriage? How dare you snub me!"