Chapter 373 Alaric's Pride
Skylar tugged at my hand and whispered, "Mom, I'm kinda scared."
I knelt down and hugged her, trying to calm her down. "Don't worry, Skylar. It's gonna be okay."
Alaric saw this and came over, gently patting Skylar's head. "Skylar, don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one will hurt you."
I appreciated his concern, but it felt like he was taking over, and I was losing control of the situation with Edward.
Edward stood nearby, watching Alaric with a disappointed look. He opened his mouth to say something but then closed it again.
Lucas gently pulled Lila's hand and said, "Let's not just stand here. This way, the conflict will only get worse. How about we find a place to sit and talk calmly?"
Lila nodded and turned to me, asking, "Diana, how about we go to that café up ahead? A quiet place might help clear things up. What do you think?"
I looked at Skylar in my arms, then at Edward and Alaric. After a moment of hesitation, I stood up and faced Alaric with a hint of gratitude.
"Alaric, I really appreciate everything you've done for Skylar and me. Your care means a lot, but Edward and I need to sort this out. Can you let us talk alone?"
Edward's eyes lit up with surprise and joy when he heard I was willing to talk to him alone. Alaric's face turned pale, and he looked at me in disbelief. "Diana, are you crazy? He was just following you! How can you even think about being alone with him? It's too dangerous!" His voice rose.
Seeing Alaric so agitated made me feel even more uncomfortable.
"I'm not crazy. I know exactly what I'm doing. We need to give each other a chance to clear things up. I know you're trying to protect me, but your overprotection is making me feel pressured." My voice was steady yet resolute.
Alaric's lips moved as if he wanted to argue, but my determined gaze stopped him.
His shoulders slumped slightly, and his eyes were filled with helplessness. "Alright, but please be careful. If anything feels off, call me immediately. I'll be nearby."
With that, he reluctantly walked away with Lucas and Lila, constantly looking back at me and Edward.
Once they were a distance away, Edward took a small step forward but quickly stopped, not wanting to scare me. He looked at me with a mix of hope and excitement. "Diana, thank you so much for agreeing to talk to me alone. I've been waiting for this day for so long."
I finally had the chance to face him directly, but the atmosphere was heavy due to Alaric's overprotectiveness. I looked at Edward calmly and said, "Edward, I don't care about anything else. I'm just worried about Skylar. She's too young to handle this pressure and can't be hurt again."Edward steadied himself and spoke earnestly, "Diana, I messed up big time in the past. Leaving you was the worst mistake of my life. I've regretted it every single day." His eyes were filled with guilt, and his voice trembled slightly.
I looked at him calmly, my emotions mixed. "Edward, my only concern is Skylar. She can't be hurt again."
Edward bit his lip, thinking of how Alaric had protected us earlier. He spoke with some agitation, "I get it. Seeing Alaric with you kills me. But I'm not giving up. I'm not the same guy I used to be. I used to drift around, not taking anything seriously. Now I understand. I need to work hard and prove myself. I won't lose to Alaric."
He clenched his fists, his eyes determined. After speaking, he turned and walked away slowly, his steps heavy. After a few steps, he looked back at me, his eyes filled with both reluctance and determination.
His figure grew longer and lonelier in the sunset's glow. I watched him leave and said softly, "I hope you mean what you say."
Unbeknownst to me, a pair of eyes hidden in the shadows had witnessed everything.
As Edward's figure disappeared into the sunset, I remained standing, my emotions in turmoil.
Later, Lila and Lucas approached me quietly, not wanting to disturb me. Lila gently linked her arm with mine, her eyes full of concern. "Diana, are you okay?" she asked.
I nodded slightly, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, just a bit confused."
Lucas scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed. He said, "Diana, Alaric said he had something to do and left."
I was taken aback, instantly understanding Alaric's feelings. His pride wouldn't let him face this any longer. I sighed softly and said, "I understand. Let him be."
"He also said to meet him at the Cooper Group tomorrow to discuss the tech project with you," Lucas added.
Lila patted my hand, comforting me. "Alaric cares a lot about you and Skylar. Seeing Edward must have been hard for him. How did your talk with Edward go?"
I looked in the direction Edward had left and said slowly, "He said he would work hard and prove himself..."
Realizing now wasn't the time to compare Edward and Alaric, I quickly changed the subject. "I don't know if I should believe him."
Lila held my hand and said, "I think Edward has been through a lot these past few years and might have changed. But whatever you decide, we'll support you. Just make sure to talk to Alaric. He seems to care about you a lot. If you get back with Edward, it might be hard for him."
I nodded, grateful. "Thank you. Having you guys by my side makes me feel much better."
I then made a silent decision: no matter what the future held, I had to ensure happiness for Skylar and myself.
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