Chapter 261 Truth or Dare
After what felt like a never-ending hike, Edward finally stumbled upon a dark little cave and carried Evelyn inside.
Evelyn slumped against the rock wall, hugging herself, her pale lips trembling, and her dirty cheeks flushed with a feverish red.
Even looking all weak and messed up, her eyes still sparkled in the dim light, and her long lashes fluttered, making Edward's heart do a little flip.
Edward couldn't keep the warmth from spreading through his body. His Adam's apple bobbed as he gently cupped her cheeks.
Suddenly, Edward's brow furrowed as his palms felt like they were touching a hot stove!
"Are you running a fever?" he asked.
"It's okay. I can handle it," Evelyn said, feeling the coolness of his palms on her skin, which was so comforting she didn't pull away.
Edward, all nervous, placed his big hand on her burning forehead, his mind racing.
He quickly shrugged off his jacket and the clothes warmed by his body heat, wrapping them all around Evelyn, bundling her up tight.
Evelyn weakly opened her eyes, seeing Edward, who had given her almost all his clothes, leaving him in just a black tank top.
His exposed muscles were stunning, exuding a wild and untamed charm in the wilderness.
"Still cold?" Edward asked hoarsely, looking at her flushed little face.
"Cold, so cold," Evelyn whimpered, hugging herself and shivering violently.
Edward took a deep breath and opened his arms.
Slowly and carefully, he pulled her soft, thin body into his embrace, pressing her tightly against his chest, as if trying to transfer all his warmth into her.
"How about now?" Edward asked, his heart pounding loudly.
Evelyn's pointed chin rested on his firm shoulder, rubbing back and forth.
Edward exhaled lightly, his fingers threading through her damp hair, trying to soothe and comfort her.
Evelyn felt her body soften in his arms.
Like a sleepy kitten, she squinted her eyes, waves of drowsiness washing over her.
Edward sat beside her, warming her body while holding her hand to check her injuries.
Evelyn's fingers were covered in scars, her nails filled with mud mixed with blood scabs.
Edward pressed his lips tightly together, a sudden image of her struggling for survival on the cliff flashing before his eyes.
Instantly, his heart ached like it was being twisted by a knife.
"Evelyn, I don't want today's incident to happen again," Edward said, genuinely angry, his lips trembling, unable to help but yell at her.
"Who are you? What right do you have to control me?" Evelyn leaned on his shoulder, delirious with fever.
Even now, she didn't forget to retort.
"What right? Can't you see?" Edward's ears turned red with urgency as he asked.
"Then tell me, what right?" Evelyn provoked him.
At the critical moment, Edward, as expected, chickened out.
"Whatever. It has nothing to do with me anyway," Evelyn closed her eyes, too lazy to care.
All she wanted now was to soak in a hot bath and sleep in her soft bed.
She was very tired.
"Evelyn, why did you marry me back then? Was it really just because I saved you? Was it really just to repay a debt?" Edward asked as he tightly grasped her hand, pressing it against his chest.
Evelyn, originally somewhat clear-headed, was now a bit delirious from the fever.
Whatever he asked, she answered, not even having the strength to argue with him.
"I married you because I liked you."
Edward's heart pounded heavily, breathing hard.
"I always hoped to marry you, never thinking my dream would come true one day." Tears shimmered in Evelyn's eyes, like a sky full of stars, and she said weakly, "Edward, I spent thirteen years trying to catch up to you. My entire youth was spent constantly searching for you, chasing you."
"And now? Evelyn, do you still love me?" Edward's eyes were red, and he asked, desperate and urgent.
Evelyn's left hand, with her crippled little finger, was tightly held by him.
She slowly pulled her scarred hand away from his, like she was saving her heart from being hurt by him again.
It still hurt so much, a slight touch bringing everything back to the beginning.
"No more resentment, no more anger, no more hatred. And naturally, no more love," she said.
Evelyn couldn't lie to herself, even though saying these words brought real pain to her heart.
But she was used to this pain. In the three years of marriage to Edward, this kind of pain was more frequent than Edward's company, and she had long been accustomed to it.
"Edward, what's the point of asking these questions now? Do you still naively think I would stay and wait for you?" Evelyn squinted her beautiful eyes, her gaze fragile and about to shatter. She rarely had such a soft moment, making him feel immense heartache. "I had loved you for thirteen years. How many thirteen years does one have in a lifetime? I can't love anymore, really can't, and I'm afraid of you."
'Not only afraid of you, but also terrified of so-called love,' she thought.
The intense pain seemed to pierce through Edward's chest, his pale lips trembling. All the overwhelming emotions stuck in his throat, making it hard to breathe.
He was stunned to realize how despicable he had become.
In a marriage in name only, he not only wasted her time but almost destroyed her completely.
"Evelyn, are you telling the truth?" Edward, unwilling to give up, knowing he was humiliating himself, still asked.
"Yes, when have I ever lied to you?" Evelyn laughed lightly, her calmness making his heart race. "When I said I loved you, it was true. When I said I didn't want a divorce, it was true. The tears I shed for you were also true. So when I say I don't love you anymore, it's naturally the truth."
"Evelyn."
Edward's eyes were bloodshot, once again grasping her hand. Despite her high fever, her hand was as cold as ice.
It couldn't be warmed.
"Edward, I'm very grateful you saved my life this time. You saved me again, so I owe you one. In the future, as long as it's not an excessive request, I will repay this favor." Evelyn spoke with a distant tone, using estranged words.
Clearly, after this, she didn't want to have any more ties with him.
Edward wanted to say something, but Evelyn had already fallen asleep on his shoulder.
Her little face was red, her long lashes fluttering, her forehead covered in a thin layer of sweat. She looked like a quiet and adorable little bunny in his arms.
Edward's throat tightened, his heart pounding, and he couldn't help but hold her closer.
He had countless opportunities to do this before.
Now, he could only cherish this rare moment of solitude.
The walkie-talkie could no longer contact anyone, and there was no signal on the phone.
Although Edward deeply wished to spend more time with Evelyn, she was running a high fever. If they delayed for a night, she might develop other complications.
Edward was very anxious, constantly checking her burning temperature with his hand.
For her, he was restless.
Besides trying to cool Evelyn down, he also had to find a way to send a signal so the helicopter and the forest rangers could find them as soon as possible!
Eventually, Edward braved the rain and searched for a long time before finding dry branches. Using the survival skills he learned in the military, he successfully started a fire.
He lit a fire at the cave entrance as a distress signal and another inside the cave to keep Evelyn warm.
The firelight on Evelyn's small face was peaceful and serene.
Edward's gaze deepened, his eyes as hot as the flames, gently tracing her face.
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