Wiping Away Traces of You

Edgar's parents were long gone.A faded old newspaper headline still preserved the details of their tragic deaths: "Heiress Suffers Mental Breakdown: Fatally Stabs Husband Over 100 Times, End Own Life, Leaves Only Son Behind."He was that only son, who was then taken in by the Yale family out of kindness.Jessica was a few years his senior. Perhaps moved by his plight, she'd showered him with utmost care. Anything Edgar wanted, she would find a way to give him, even if it were the stars in the sky.And she had, quite literally, given him a star.The trauma of losing his parents had left Edgar scarred, and he constantly sought reassurance and safety. Thus, one quiet night, Jessica had led him up to the rooftop.Pointing to the brightest star in the sky, she smiled and said, "Edgar, see that star? I've bought it for you."She'd handed him the star's ownership certificate, tapping the tip of his nose playfully. "From now on, that star is yours. When I'm not around, it'll always wat

Cooper explained, "Jessica, don't blame Edgar. It's my fault."I thought it was so late that Edgar would already be asleep, so I didn't bother to put on a shirt. But as soon as I opened the door, I ran into him. He saw the marks on me and started calling me shameless. He said someone like me doesn't deserve to be with you."Just like that, Cooper painted Edgar as a twisted man who lurked outside Jessica's door late at night, eavesdropping out of jealousy and violently attacking her fiancé."He's lying! I didn't say any of that!" Edgar's eyes turned red at the corners as he protested. "He deliberately provoked me by bringing up my parents and… and calling my mom deranged!"When Edgar was in elementary school, his classmates had bullied him because of his mother's story. They'd formed a circle around him, throwing trash at him while chanting, "Crazy kid with a crazy mom."Jessica had been the one to step in and resolve the situation.Surely, she knew he wouldn't lie about something

"How could you rummage through my things without my permission?" Edgar panicked and dodged Jessica's question. "I'm already 18! You can't just barge into my room and go through my stuff!"Furious, Jessica grabbed a glass from the table and smashed it to the floor. "That's not the point right now!"The sound of the glass shattering echoed through the room, making Edgar flinch."Edgar, you've misunderstood Jess," Cooper interjected with feigned innocence. "She didn't go into your room. It was me. I didn't have any clothes to change into, and my clothes yesterday were…"He paused deliberately before continuing, "I had no choice but to check your room for clothes to borrow. That's when I accidentally found the cancer diagnosis on your desk."He was lying.Edgar had locked the document away the very day he received it. In Cooper's version, it sounded as if Edgar had intentionally left it out in the open, waiting for someone to stumble upon it."Edgar, you're so young. How could you p

The wedding was lively, and nearly all the elites were present.Cooper was dressed in a custom white suit and looked blissful as he held Jessica by the waist.Jessica had changed into her wedding gown. Edgar thought she was simply stunning. Elegant, regal, and poised.Time seemed to have favored her, leaving not a single mark on her face. 13 years had passed, yet she was just as beautiful as the day she had pulled him out of the wardrobe all those years ago.His gaze lingered on her to indulge in a few more stolen moments. Only then did he step forward and present his wedding gift with both hands."Jess, congratulations on your marriage," Edgar said sincerely.He truly wished her happiness and good health in the years ahead.Jessica accepted the gift while casting a searching look at Edgar. Although she said nothing, a tumultuous emotion—something she couldn't allow to surface—seemed to churn wildly in her eyes.Unfortunately, Edgar didn't see it.After presenting the gift, he

Under Cooper's deliberate influence, Jessica quickly assumed that Edgar had run away in a fit of anger.Her blood boiled, and she scolded, "He left over something this trivial? Is he out of his mind?"Cooper was secretly elated to see her upset, but he maintained a facade of concern."Gosh, why is Edgar being so impulsive? Jessica, he probably hasn't gone far yet. You should send someone to look for him immediately! Anything could happen to a child who's out there alone!"Jessica's face darkened further. "A child? He's 18!"As an adult, Edgar should be taking responsibility for his own actions. But instead, he remained as impulsive and spoiled as ever, showing no signs of maturity.The thought made Jessica's suppressed anger resurface with renewed intensity. She ordered coldly, "If he doesn't want to come back, then so be it! Inform everyone of my command—no one is to search for him!"Cooper's heart surged with joy. Finally, he had successfully driven the meddlesome Edgar out of