جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 200

"Daddy, is Mommy sick again?" AJ asked, clutching his blanket, worried."No. She's just tired. For the next few days until we return to Zurich, I'll be with you when you go to sleep. Don't you like that?" Ed squinted his eyes."I do!" AJ laughed softly.He didn't mind, but he would certainly ask for a reason for the change. He didn't protest when Ed took him to his room; he only asked after Ed finished reading him a book."Go to sleep now; I'll turn off the light." Ed got off the bed, but his hand was held back as AJ grabbed his arm."Can I give you a hug?"A smile formed easily, warmth spreading all the way to his toes. Ed was too happy."Of course." Ed bent down and let AJ wrap his arms around his neck."Thank you. You're helping Mommy." AJ didn't know exactly how, but he knew Ruby hadn't really done anything since they returned from visiting Jade.Even at dinner—Ed ordered pizza—Ruby just sat there blankly, while Ed got the plates, forks, and everything else. AJ knew he was still a

"New York? America?" To confirm, Esli repeated the city's name."Yes, Senor. Mendez nodded. "Don Rosas is there to take care of 'business'." This matter was not a secret. It was well-known among those close to Ed."Is he still there now?" Esli asked again."Not anymore. But he did stay longer than planned. There was some trouble, and a few people died. I don’t know exactly what happened yet, but I’m looking into it." Mendez had only found part of the information. It was difficult to uncover what Ed was actually doing in New York."Why did he stay there longer? If they know he's there, the DEA* will hunt him down." Esli was puzzled.Ed shouldn't stay in an American city for too long—two or three days was fine, but more than that was asking for trouble. Ed's biggest enemy was the DEA. Ed was safe in Mexico, but not in America.Esli knew Ed would have taken precautions—maybe using a fake identity or something else—but there was still a chance his presence could be discovered.Ed didn't h

Ed frowned as Liz lightly held his hand while they climbed the steps to Esli's house."Is it just me, or are you suddenly very touchy?" Ed asked. This wasn’t the first time they attended a party or event together, but it was the first time Liz held his hand so affectionately."What's wrong with you? Why are you so sensitive?" Liz asked again."You've been very different since you came back. Did something happen?" Liz might have seemed indifferent, but she certainly noticed that Ed, who usually remained silent, had changed. Ed might have been trying to maintain his usual calm tone, but there was a hint of irritation that surfaced several times. This was the only deviation from his usual demeanor."Nothing." Ed dismissed Liz's suspicion. As they entered Esli's party, they continued to hold hands.The party was like the ones Ed and Ruby used to attend; it was part of Esli's campaign to spread promises and seek support. But the atmosphere was different—the most noticeable change being the

“I am not an immortal vampire. Of course, I change. I get older,” Ed said. They hadn’t met in quite a while. Ed forgot exactly when, but maybe it was three years ago. Naturally, many things had changed.“Your face… You decided to have surgery.” Mayte looked at Ed’s reduced scars.Ed smiled, but not for Mayte. He smiled because he suddenly felt a sense of calm, remembering that Ruby hadn’t mentioned his face at all. Even after their reconciliation, Ruby never once commented on his face. Mayte and Liz brought it up. They noticed his face had changed and discussed it.It might seem that Ruby didn’t pay enough attention to him, but Ed knew that wasn’t the reason. Ruby didn’t bring it up because, to her, it didn’t matter. His face, whether before or after, made no difference to Ruby. She accepted everything, whatever its form.That entire thought made Ed smile. He knew his heart had chosen the right woman.“I thought you didn’t want to fix it.” Mayte took the smile as a positive sign and c

"Daddy!"The cheerful call immediately dispelled all the fog and storm in Ed's head, turning it into a sunny day with a rainbow."Hi!" Ed lifted his phone level with his face and saw that AJ was already lying down—ready. Ed was, too, but he had just woken up from a restless sleep. The time difference put them in opposite states."Daddy, when are you coming back? It's been a long time." AJ whined."Unfortunately, I still don't know. As far as I remember, this is only the fifth day I've been away. Didn't you pose the same question yesterday?" Ed smiled because he'd heard that question yesterday and the day before."Yes, but how much longer?" AJ grumbled in disappointment."As soon as possible, AJ. I've already promised, haven't I?" Ed coaxed."Now you go to sleep and don't trouble your mother." Ed gestured for AJ to lie down."Do you want me to read you a story today?" Ed asked."Yes! I want that!" AJ nodded enthusia