Chapter 14: Feelings of the past

Vanessa POV

The air smelt like lavender flowers in the beautiful garden. I sat on the picnic mat, dressed in a mini sundress and entwined in Edward’s arms. My giggles and laughter echoed out of me as he tickled my body. His sexy grin, very alluring and full of mischief made it almost impossible for me to be annoyed.

“Alright fine. You win!” I screamed cheerfully managing to push his hands away as I escaped from his embrace. I got up from the mat and spun around in excitement.

Edward leaned back on his elbows and crossed his legs, watching me with those piercing blue eyes that saw right through my soul.

“Nessa,” he spoke, calling to me softly with a hint of sudden seriousness in his tone.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.” I froze, eyes lighting up as I walked back to the mat and positioned my self on top of him.

“Oh yeah? Not even when you won the gambling lottery last week?” I asked, raising my eyebrows as I joked.

Edward laughed, shaking his head in opposition.

“That’s not even close” he leaned in, moving so close till our lips almost touched.

“Nessa you make everything else seem small. It feels like nothing else matters but you.”

His words sank into my heart, drawing me into a feeling I never knew had existed before.

“I love you.” He whispered to me, trailing my neck with soft kisses as he inhaled my scent.

“Oh Edward, I love you too.” I replied, the words running out before I could even stop to think. But I meant it.

His eyes met with mine as he kissed me fully, connecting our lips.

This moment felt beautiful, but in the blink of an eye, it shattered like glass.

The setting shifted, twisting into something darker. I stood in the hallway of our college dorm with trembling hands, Staring at the screen on my phone. It was Edward. Kissing another girl. One who wasn’t me.

The whispers of college students followed me as I walked swiftly through the campus, looking for a way to escape.

The students gave me pity stares like I was some charity case.

“Nessa please. Wait!” I heard Edward say calling out to me. But I ignored him.

My vision blurred with tears as I ran into the drama theater, needing some distance, and fresh air. But their judging looks followed me, the hurtful whispers, growing even louder.

“Did she really think he would be loyal to her?” A brunette girl mocked as she spoke to her friend group, knowing fully well that I could see and hear her.

“No, She thought she would change him” one of them replied, and then they continued to ramble.

“But Guys like that don’t stick around.”

“Vanessa thinks she’s special.”

“I guess he’s not as perfect as she thought.”

Feeling choked, I ran out of the room sobbing heavily. somehow, Edward caught up to me, grabbing me by the arm.

“Let me explain myself Nessa—“

“I don’t need your explanation!” I yelled at him, pulling my arm away from his embrace.

“You lied to me, Edward! You made me feel like I was enough for you! Like I was everything, and then you—“ I stopped my voice cracking as I let out a sob. I couldn’t finish.

I turned from him and ran away, my heart racing with every step.

The memory dissolved into darkness, as I woke up with a jolt, my breathing fast paced and unstable.

From the window, Sunlight passed through and my eyes adjusted to a figure sitting on the armchair beside my bed. It was Edward.

His face looked softer than I had seen in a while, his usual stoic expression was replaced by something more…tender. It made me feel uneasy, pulling at the part of my heart I tried to bury.

“For how long have you been sitting there?” I asked him, my voice still a little hoarse from sleep.

“Long enough.” He said to me, a faint smile forming on his lips. “You were restless.”

Slowly, I sat up. Wincing at the feeling of a dull pain from the accident. Edward moved closer to me, his concern visible at every inch of his face.

“Don’t push yourself Nessa.” He said, hovering his hand near mine, almost touching but not.

I watched him very closely, and the feelings and memories from the past flooded my mind. The time he made me feel like I was his entire world, the time where he shattered the facade with a single betrayal.

“it’s difficult to rest with you hovering over me.” I said lowly, the words sharper than I thought.

He didn’t reply, but his jaw tightened. He stood up from the chair and adjusted the duvet around me.

“I’ll be working from home for the next few days. I want to ensure both you and Liam remain safe.” He said with a calm and soft tone.

To be safe. Of course. Edward always has his way of fixing things. Pulling himself into protector mode. Like that would take away the hurt he has caused me.

**

The maids and extra help were back to their duties since the interrogation revealed they were clean.

After we had breakfast, Edward insisted on escorting me to the hospital and taking Liam to school. 4 body guards trailed behind us, their presence to me was a constant reminder of the danger I was unable to escape.

As we walked to the school gates, Liam clung closely to Edward’s hand. His cute little face beamed with excitement as Edward gave him a brand new bag pack filled with so many treats.

“Wow! Thank you Dad” Liam said .

Edward’s face softened immediately. It was the first time he called him ‘Dad’

After we dropped Liam at school, it was straight to the hospital for my checkup.

From the Doctor’s Analysis I was healing pretty well. But I could still feel the effects of the accident.

Edward’s driver came with another car to take him elsewhere.

“I’m going for a meeting Nessa. Donovan and the guards will take you home to rest.” He said to me.

“Sure “ I nodded in response. But deep down I had other plans.

Since Daniel wasn’t calling me or responding to my texts, there was only one way to get his attention.

I had to do something I had never done before.