Chapter 28 Three-Person Trip
Although it was Hayden’s sixty-sixth birthday, he left early after greeting a few old friends, complaining of not feeling well. Which left Edward and me as the reluctant stars of the show.
As the night wore on, guests started trickling out, and the servants got busy cleaning up the banquet hall. I was a bit buzzed, sitting alone in a corner, lost in my thoughts. Edward and Anne came over. "Diana, let's go rest! The servants can handle the cleanup," Anne said first.
I looked at them with blurry eyes and suddenly felt like giving them some space, so I said, "You two go ahead; I'll stay here."
"Diana, what are you up to now? It's late; let's just stay here tonight!" Edward scooped me up and carried me upstairs. Anne followed us, cheerful as a kid. Had I really misjudged Anne? If she had feelings for Edward, tonight would have been her best chance. But she didn't make a move.
Anne's room was the first one on the second floor. She poked her head out from the doorway and cheerfully said goodnight to us.
Back in the bedroom, Edward tossed me onto the big bed, making my head throb with pain.
"You saw how my parents acted. Even so, do you still want a divorce?" Edward asked me again.
"Yes, we need to divorce. But not now." I thought of Hayden's health and felt a bit reluctant. "Let's…separate. Just for now. We can still keep up appearances for the family."
Edward agreed to my proposal and took his bedding to the study.
The morning sunlight streamed through the window, and I slowly opened my eyes. There was no warmth beside me; I knew Edward hadn't come back all night. Did he really sleep in the study? Or was he in Anne's room? I couldn't be bothered to guess. I got ready quickly and went downstairs.
The family was already gathered around the table for breakfast. Hayden and Clara were chatting occasionally, and Edward and Anne were sitting across from each other on Hayden and Clara's right side. The seat next to Edward was empty. Anne, who usually sat next to Edward, had changed her seat today for some reason. When she saw me coming down, she greeted me playfully, as if she had no worries. The family seemed very harmonious. I sat next to Edward and chatted with everyone while eating.
Anne suddenly suggested that Edward and I go on another honeymoon. I was slightly taken aback, and recalled that when Edward and I got married and went on our honeymoon, Anne insisted on coming with us, turning what should have been our sweetest time into a mess with her whims.
Edward said nothing, just silently drank his coffee. I looked at Anne, unsure of her intentions, but I had already made a decision and said, "Sure, since Anne suggested it, let's go. And Anne, you're invited! You’re not back in school yet.”
Edward turned to me and said, "Diana, that's not appropriate."
I smiled slightly and said, "It's fine. Last time, it was the three of us too! Anne was young then and accidentally messed up our plans. This time, we can make up for that. Or we can all go together as a family; it would be more lively," I wasn't afraid of awkwardness and spoke my mind.
"Hayden's health isn't great, so we won't go," Clara said, pouring Hayden a glass of milk. Hayden just watched us quietly. Edward frowned, like he wanted to say something, but kept quiet.
After breakfast, we said our goodbyes to Hayden and Clara and headed back to the villa to pack for the honeymoon. Our flight was in the afternoon, so we had plenty of time. A spontaneous trip was about to kick off. I had no idea what this trip would bring or if it would help our relationship. The trip four years ago was a disaster, and I figured this one couldn't be worse. But reality always has a way of surprising you.
On the way to the airport, Edward focused on driving while I stared at his profile, feeling a weird sense of melancholy. Back then, the Howard Family and the Cooper Family wanted to form an alliance through marriage. Edward hadn't made a move, so I took the initiative, held his hand, and told him I was willing to be with him. Only four years had passed, and everything had changed. Only Anne was excitedly looking out the window, chattering non-stop.
"Stop the car, Edward, stop! It's Snowy Sweetness, the most popular cold drink shop online. Diana, do you want some juice?" Anne suddenly shouted as we neared the airport.
Edward slammed on the brakes, and the car screeched to a halt. I looked out and saw a fancy cold drink shop not far away.
"Damn, it looks like we hit someone!" Edward said angrily. "Stay in the car; I'll go check."
"Are you okay?" Edward asked. The man on the ground didn't respond, his eyes closed. A sense of unease washed over me, and I couldn't help but get out to check. Anne followed me out of the car. The man on the ground was wearing dirty clothes, his hair matted to his face, clearly a homeless man.
At that moment, he suddenly opened his eyes, pulled out a knife from his coat, and lunged at us.
"Watch out!" Edward shouted, quickly stepping in front of Anne and me. The homeless man swung the knife, and we scattered. The knife struck the car, leaving a long scratch on the luxurious vehicle. The homeless man, unwilling to give up, shouted and lunged at me again, "Rich people should all die!" I screamed in fear and backed away, my arm getting slashed. Seeing me injured, the homeless man turned the knife and stabbed Anne in the shoulder. "Edward, save me!"
The homeless man then turned to stab me again.
"Anne!" Ignoring the danger, I ran towards Anne. A van suddenly drove up, blocking my path. By the time I got around the van, Anne was gone, leaving only a pool of blood on the ground.
At that moment, Edward ran over from the other side of the car and tackled the homeless man. They wrestled on the ground.
"Edward, Anne is gone!" I shouted anxiously.
Although the homeless man was fierce, he was no match for Edward, who worked out regularly. Edward quickly subdued him. The road was already jammed with cars, and someone had called the police. Soon, the police and an ambulance arrived.
While the medical staff gave me a simple bandage, two police officers asked Edward and me about what had happened. Based on the scene and witness testimonies, the police believed it was a premeditated attack and kidnapping. I needed to go to the hospital for further treatment, and Edward went to the police station to give a statement. In the ambulance, I silently prayed to God, hoping Anne would be safe.
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