Chapter 89 The First Time He Hugged Her
The wind was howling, rain pouring, and lightning flashing.
'If I remember right, Edward was just standing under that tree! And now he's calling me!' Evelyn thought.
"Edward, I'm not coming out. Stop calling and go home!" Evelyn's eyes were red with anger.
"If you don't come out, I won't leave," Edward's deep voice was firm.
"Crazy idiot!"
Evelyn's face flushed with anger as she rushed towards the stairs.
"Miss Taylor!"
William's calls couldn't stop her.
Edward gripped his phone tightly, his brows furrowed.
He stared at the villa's gate, standing still as a statue.
Finally, the gate opened.
A dark gleam flickered in Edward's eyes, and he held his breath.
Evelyn, wearing a coat and holding a big black umbrella, walked towards him.
The wind whipped her hair around, and her thin frame wobbled as if she might be blown away.
Edward felt a surge of astonishment. Those star-like eyes seemed familiar.
Evelyn approached him with a calm expression.
She was Miss Taylor of the Taylor family, with four outstanding brothers and a billionaire father. 'When did I ever let a man mess with my emotions like this?'
"Edward, are you clueless or just crazy? Aren't you afraid of getting struck by lightning?"
The more Evelyn thought about it, the angrier she got, wanting to bite him!
Edward's eyes narrowed slightly, and then he asked hoarsely, "Do you care about me?"
"Care?" Evelyn took a deep breath, curling her lips in a mocking smile, "Don't flatter yourself. I came out to tell you to die somewhere else. Don't dirty my place."
Her sharp words cut deep.
But Edward still found this fiery version of Lily more lively and adorable.
Curiosity was the start of all emotions.
"Let's talk in the car," Edward said, eyeing her soaked clothes.
"No need," Evelyn snapped,. "Say it now, quickly!"
"Get in the car!"
Edward was even more stubborn, stepping forward.
At that moment, a bolt of lightning struck!
With a thunderous crash, a thick tree branch broke and fell!
The rain was too loud, and Evelyn was too focused on being angry to notice the danger.
"Watch out!" Edward exclaimed.
She was startled, feeling hot breath on her neck the next second.
Edward reacted swiftly, wrapping his strong arms around her to shield her.
The branch landed squarely on his back!
Edward tried to suppress the pain, but a groan escaped.
Even so, his arms around Evelyn didn't loosen.
Evelyn's eyes widened in shock, and her heart started pounding. "Edward! Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine. Get in the car," he gritted out, grabbing her wrist despite the pain.
The rain kept pouring, and Evelyn, speechless, let him drag her into the car.
Inside, the air was thick with the scent of rain and their heated breaths.
Edward took off his soaked suit and tossed it aside. Even disheveled, he looked stunning with his bangs partially covering his eyes.
Evelyn, still shaken, thought about the close call and Edward's embrace, feeling a mix of numbness, bitterness, and pain.
'In three years of marriage, he never held me. So this is what it feels like, a sense of complete security. Is this what Nicole feels every day?'
With that thought, Evelyn's lips curled into a sneer.
'No matter how good it is, it belongs to someone else. Nothing worth longing for.'
"Did Landon buy the villa for you?" Edward asked, his voice cold.
"Obviously." Evelyn crossed her arms, looking out the window. "Do you think I can afford such a big house? Of course, Mr. Landon generously gave it to me."
"If you had no place to stay, why didn't you accept the villa I offered back then?" Edward couldn't help but get angry, ignoring the pain in his back.
"Why should I accept it?" Evelyn's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Given our relationship, it's natural for me to accept Landon's gift. But what would it mean if I accepted yours? A completed transaction, cash on delivery?
Edward, you've mastered the art of humiliation. But I'm not someone who is poor and lacks ambition. I didn't spend a penny of yours before the divorce, and I certainly won't after."
"Lily, I didn't mean to humiliate you. You're overthinking it."
Edward took a deep breath, his eyes filled with complex emotions. 'Back then, I gave her money because I thought she was an ordinary girl, and without savings after the divorce, life in Mugden would be tough. Besides material things, I had nothing else to offer her.'
"Enough. If you came to talk about this, I'm not interested. I'm leaving!" Evelyn had no patience left, reaching for the car door.
Edward grabbed her wrist in a panic, pulling her back.
Evelyn gasped, falling into his chest. "It hurts!"
"Sorry." Edward's deep, hoarse voice overwhelmed her.
Evelyn's heart trembled, and she looked up at him, her nose red from the impact. "What did you say?"
Edward's Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes were filled with guilt. "I apologize for Nicole. She shouldn't have said those things to you in public."
Instantly, Evelyn's heart sank, her smile turning icy. "So you waited in the rain to apologize for your fiancée. Well, your apology is not accepted!"
