Chapter 420 Memories
Hearing this, I knew there were important issues between Edward and me that needed to be addressed.
I turned to Skylar and said, "Hey, Skylar, Mr. Howard and I need to have a grown-up talk. Why don't you go play in your room for a bit?"
Skylar, though reluctant, obediently took her Barbie doll and went back to her room.
Edward's voice trembled slightly, "Diana, I need to know, what's really going on between you and Jeffrey?"
His eyes locked onto mine, as if trying to pull the truth straight out of me.
Meeting Edward's intense gaze, I started slowly, "Jeffrey and I are just friends. He's easy to talk to, and we get along well."
I paused, memories of my first meeting with Jeffrey flashing through my mind.
Edward, struggling to keep his emotions in check, pressed on, "Diana, tell me, how did you and Jeffrey meet? The conversation in the recording doesn't sound like just friends."
My face turned pale, and my hands instinctively clenched the hem of my shirt.
I never imagined that this recording would turn my hard-won peace upside down.
After much hesitation, I decided not to hide the truth any longer. After all, the past would eventually come to light.
I took a deep breath and asked slowly, "Do you remember when we went to The Ends of the Earth for our honeymoon?"
"That time..."
Edward frowned, his eyes filled with confusion as he delved into his memories.
"Back then, you said there was an urgent matter at work and you had to return home early. I was disappointed but chose to trust you. But later, Anne told me you left early to pick up Aria."
I lifted my head and looked directly at Edward, my gaze carrying a hint of stubbornness and questioning.
A flash of surprise crossed Edward's eyes; clearly, he hadn't expected me to know about this.
"After you left, I was incredibly bored. That's when I met Jeffrey. He said he was a lawyer traveling the world, and we hit it off. We ended up traveling together for a week. But I swear, we were just friends."
I was lost in distant memories, feeling that this was as much as I could explain to Edward about my relationship with Jeffrey.
Despite this, Edward still looked incredulous.
He took a step back, shouting in disbelief, "What? During our honeymoon? You traveled with him for a whole week?"
His voice rose, his emotions clearly out of control.
"We've been divorced for so many years. Why does it matter now?"
I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh, as buried memories and pain surged to the surface.
Edward's chest heaved as he turned away from me, no longer able to look at me. "I admit, I lied to you about going back to pick up Aria. That was my fault. Over the years, I've regretted trusting the wrong people, being manipulated, and hurting you, which shattered our family. I've faced retribution, my career in ruins, and I've tasted loneliness and regret."
"But I've been reflecting and regretting all these years. I want to reconcile and start over with you. But now you tell me you spent a week with someone else during our honeymoon. How am I supposed to accept that? And how did you reconnect with Jeffrey later?"
Edward spoke rapidly, his eyes full of confusion, seeking an answer he could accept.
I shook my head and leaned back on the couch, my voice low. "Jeffrey and I didn't even exchange contact information back then. I swear, I never saw him again after returning home."
"It wasn't until recently, when an important overseas client of the Cooper Group visited, that I found out Jeffrey was their legal advisor. But that was strictly business, and we only exchanged brief greetings. Who could have predicted that Jeffrey would later appear as the sole heir of the Adams family by Nicholas' side? I only learned about his true identity from others."
Edward was silent for a moment, a hint of conflict in his eyes, but he gritted his teeth and asked, "Diana, do you have feelings for Jeffrey?"
Hearing this, my body stiffened, and I shook my head firmly, "No, I don't have feelings for him."
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my emotions, and continued, "When we traveled together, I did appreciate him. He was knowledgeable, funny, and talking to him helped me forget my troubles temporarily."
"But that wasn't love. It was just companionship during a lonely time. The appreciation was purely platonic. The experiences I had with you are unforgettable, but the hurt you caused me runs deep. I'm still unsure if I can truly let go."
After hearing my words, I saw Edward's tense body relax slightly, the conflict and pain in his eyes easing a bit.
He opened his mouth, as if he had a lot to say but didn't know where to start.
After a long pause, he finally spoke slowly, "Diana, I believe you. I've missed out on so much and made so many mistakes over the years. Knowing you and Jeffrey aren't involved that way is a relief. But I also know that the hurt I've caused you can't be mended with a simple apology."
His gaze cautiously roamed over my face, full of hope.
"But I still want to ask you to give me another chance. Our daughter is so precious, and I don't want to give up on us. I know it's unrealistic to expect you to accept me right away, but I'm willing to wait, no matter how long it takes. I want to be part of your life again and make you fall in love with me once more."
As he spoke, his eyes reddened slightly.
"Diana, can you give me this chance? I promise, I'll never let you suffer again. I'll prove with my actions that I'm worth trusting one more time."
He looked at me urgently, as if clinging to his last hope, waiting for my response.
I looked up at Edward, his hopeful eyes making my heart a tangled mess.
The past hurt weighed heavily on my heart, pulling against my current confusion.
I looked at him, feeling lost, unsure if I had the courage to let this man who once broke my heart back into my life.
Seeing my hesitation, Edward suddenly sat beside me, gently patting my back, trying to soothe my chaotic emotions.
"Let's put the unpleasant past behind us. Fiona mentioned she had some photos and videos to show me, but I refused. I don't care about those, really."
Hearing him mention Fiona, my heart tightened. "What photos and videos did Fiona want to show you?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
