“Eh? This?” Liz cursed inwardly. She was using her regular phone because she didn't want to replace it. All her photos and friends' contacts were there, but maybe she should have swapped it out yesterday, not just her clothes.
"I... Father gave it to me. So, I threw the old one away." Liz lied with relief.
"Threw it away?" Ed raised an eyebrow. He was surprised because he remembered clearly how much Liz loved the phone he gave her.
"Yes. I prefer this one. It's a new and attractive model." Liz showed off the array of sparkling stones on the back of the phone.
"Oh, I also changed the number. My father said it was for security. Give me your phone." Liz extended her hand. After she found an answer that sounded right to her, her reasoning flowed more smoothly.
Ed was still very puzzled, but he handed over his phone. He watched with a furrowed brow as Liz entered the new number under her name. She had already gotten Ed's phone number from Es
"LIZ!" Ed opened the door and barged in."What?" Liz, already seated, lowered her phone, surprised to see Ed return, breathless."You..." Ed approached Liz, pointing at her. "You're angry with me, aren't you?" Ed asked.Liz scowled, opting not to probe further, eager to hear Ed's perspective. When you don't know anything, the best course of action is to wait and listen."Angelo... I met him. I know," Ed said, sitting in the chair he had left the previous night.Ed wiped his face, the throbbing pain in his damaged side returning, as he had to decide on something caused by that injury."You still don't want it?" Ed inquired, reaching for Liz's hand. He remembered Liz saying that day that she didn't want to be pregnant. No wonder her behavior was strange.However, Liz couldn't possibly understand. Liz could only remain silent. She was still guessing where the conversation was heading. She didn't even recognize the name Angelo Ed mentioned."It's not that I didn't want it at all. I panick
"You're not feeling nauseous or wanting to vomit, are you?" Ed asked Liz, who was sitting next to him.The car they were in was speeding along, and they had already covered half of the trip without any problems. Liz appeared fine, which was unusual.The distance from Ed's house to the hospital was quite far, as yesterday he had taken Liz to the nearest hospital from the warehouse where Pedro was held captive. During the trip, Ed was not used to seeing Liz well. She had been typing and reading without any issues."I'm not nauseous anymore." Liz shrugged, not taking her eyes off the phone screen."Did the doctor give you anti-nausea medication?" Ed asked."Yes." Liz answered nonchalantly. She thought Ed was talking about the nausea from her pregnancy."No wonder." Ed didn't question it further. It made sense.But then he noticed something else unusual."What are you actually doing? Who have you been contacting all this time?" Ed asked curiously. It was unusual to see Liz paying so much
"Am I cursed? Are you kidding? That finger should be pointing at your own face!" Liz snapped.It was a startling outburst, but Ed wasn't too surprised after remembering how Liz had also been brave enough to confront Mia in the warehouse where Pedro was held captive yesterday."You dare to fight me now?! This bitch finally reveals her true face!" Mia, of course, was immediately furious."Bitch? Funny. You're the one married to a rapist, which means you're the bitch! You're such a slut that you willingly accepted that disgusting man as your husband. You want love so badly, you don't care what kind of man he is!" Liz knew what had happened in detail because Esli had asked Ruby about the incident that put her in the hospital. But the barrage of insults was shocking. No one expected Liz to say such things.The living room fell silent. Tita, Ed, and even Mia were stunned, staring at Liz."You... you..." Mia was red with anger but too shocked to respond.
In the dim light, Ed gazed at Liz and slowly lay back down."Well, good night." Ed pulled Liz's body close and hugged her.He didn't close his eyes immediately, unable to wipe the odd feeling from his lips.The kiss shouldn't have been wrong or strange. It should have been normal, as usual, but for some reason, it didn't feel right to Ed. There was something different.A small difference. The way Liz breathed or moved her lips was different. After that, Ed usually understood what Liz wanted. Liz would hold her breath, or if she wanted more, her breathing would become more rapid.Liz was serene at this moment. Like an undisturbed surface of water."It was just a kiss," Ed thought as he closed his eyes.He was fussing over something unnecessary. Liz might just be tired, or maybe he was too tired, making a big deal out of something trivial.Ed decided to let go of the odd feeling. There is no need to overthink it; a kiss is just a
Esli chose to take Liz to a modern clinic instead of a large hospital, but by that time, Ed had already lost all concern and was completely unaware of the situation. His mind seemed to stop functioning when he saw the blood.Ed didn't even react—he was unable to comment when the doctor explained Liz's condition. He just stared as the doctor expressed condolences in a hoarse voice, mentioning that Liz's pregnancy couldn't be saved.He also didn't turn to look at Esli, who was grieving beside him, crying with her face in her hands."Where's Liz?" After the doctor finished, Ed was able to function slightly, and he waited to see if there were any other questions."Please, go ahead. We've moved her to the ward." The doctor indicated the room where Liz was."You go first. I'll follow later; I can't bear it yet." Esli shook her head, turning away. Ed would have entered without any prompting.And as soon as the door closed, Esli smiled with sa
"Where are you going?" As he saw Liz leaving the house wearing a long coat and high heels, Ed asked. Ed had just come home, and they met at the front door.Liz glanced, her eyes already adorned with glitter. "None of your business!"Liz retorted harshly, then turned away, but Ed grabbed her hand."Liz, stop this! Haven't you punished me enough? It's been almost six months. Come back to me." Ed pulled Liz's hand away, trying to hold her close.Ed restrained himself, letting Liz do whatever she wanted. He never forbade her. The only thing Ed did was have his men keep an eye on her to make sure nothing bad happened.Ed could be patient, but six months should be enough. He wanted, at least, for Liz to stay and talk to him.But Liz was completely untouched; she pushed Ed away, rejecting his comforting gesture with anger."Enough? Even now, you're still trying to stop me. Will you only be satisfied if I fall down again?! Do you want m
Ed wiped away the dust that covered Javier's name. The rainy season made the tombstone look dirty, especially since Javier's was black.“I’ll arrange for it to be cleaned,” said Otiz. He had been standing behind Ed all this time, and now he handed over the bouquet of flowers he was carrying. His hands were full. He also had an umbrella for Ed, because it was indeed cloudy that day.Ed placed the predominantly yellow bouquet on the grave. Javier never mentioned what kind of flowers he liked, but Ed brought yellow ones, a bright and cheerful color. Because that was what Javier was. Bright and happy.Ed then wiped Javier's name again, but not because of the dirt. He was just trying to find something to touch. Something that wasn’t a shadow that could disappear.“It’s hard... not fun without you,” Ed muttered. He didn’t want to complain. Usually, he never talks about heavy stuff when visiting Javier, but today w
"AJ! Don't read while eating! You'll be late!"Ruby scolded him a second time because her only son had not yet finished his breakfast, even though it was just bread with peanut butter.AJ, who had sneaked one of his books onto the table, slowly set it aside. He didn't argue and immediately started chewing the rest of his breakfast."I am aware of your ability to read and your love for it. That's not a terrible thing, but it shouldn't happen right before you leave for school. If you eat like a snail, we'll be late."Ruby, of course, felt awful after scolding him, and she gently comforted AJ while stroking his small, curly-haired head. She also gave him a kiss on the forehead, not wanting her son to pout all day.AJ was generally cheerful, but when he got upset, he would be very quiet. Ruby would panic because she had no one else to talk to at home until AJ felt better."Come on, hurry up." Ruby hurriedly locked the door, then zipped up the th