Chapter 4 The Unbeatable First Love

I used to be all about those trashy dramas, so I totally get why some guys are hung up on their first love, even if their wives at home are drop-dead gorgeous.

The thing is, the more out of reach something is, the more you want it. That's just how it goes.

If Anne was Edward's first love, it was the fact that he could never marry her that left this scar of regret. It made him feel all kinds of messed up whenever he saw her.

The Howard Family was a big deal, super respectable. Because of society and all that, they were destined to be apart. They weren't even blood-related, so technically, there was nothing wrong with them getting married. But in a family like that, the business and legacy came first. Marrying someone from a different social status? No way. And romantic feelings between siblings? Forget about it.

That's why Anne became the one Edward felt he had to look after forever.

If things were really like I imagined, how could I ever compete with that?

The surgery went fine. I sat there alone, waiting, while everyone else had someone with them.

The hallway reeked of disinfectant, and it felt like it was cleaning out my love-struck brain too. After a while, I felt super clear-headed, so I texted Edward: [If you had to choose between me and Anne, who would you pick?]

I was ready. If he chose Anne, I'd leave and wish them well. But I needed to know the truth.

I clutched my phone, waiting, but my message seemed to vanish into thin air. I even started doubting if I had sent it.

I thought about it again. Maybe sending that message was impulsive, but if I didn't act on impulse, how could I convince myself to give up the man I'd loved for so long?

With no reply, I wondered if they were in the hospital room plotting something. Determined to find out, I went to Anne's room again.

Inside, Edward was gently handing Anne a piece of apple on a fruit fork, his eyes showing a tenderness I'd never seen before.

I regretted it a bit. If I'd come in a little later, would I have caught them in the act? Even a kiss would count as evidence, right? Then I wouldn't have to struggle with this anymore.

I stood at the door and called Edward out. He put down the fruit, looking annoyed. "What urgent matter do you have to discuss in the hospital?"

"I was waiting for your reply," I said firmly, enunciating each word.

Edward reached into his pocket for his phone. After reading the message, a slight smile appeared on his face, and he stared into my eyes, questioning, "Why should I choose? What's wrong with you?" His voice was low but stern. I thought that if we weren't in a hospital, Edward would have shouted those words.

Edward showed no signs of panic or unease after I hit a nerve. Under Edward's calm gaze, I became the one who felt guilty. Edward even casually took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, intending to smoke one, but put it back when he realized he was in a hospital.

Edward took off his watch and played with it in his hand. The air was stagnant, and the hallway lights were harsh. I was confused. Why did I always lose when confronting Edward? Even my certainty that Edward had emotionally cheated became blurred. I even started to reflect on whether I was being too sensitive. How could he always have such a clear conscience?

I gathered my thoughts and asked again, "What illness is Anne hospitalized for?"

"You've asked three times already. It's Anne's privacy. I advise you not to ask again," Edward snapped, clearly annoyed.

"Privacy? Are you closer to me, your wife, or to your fake sister?" I shot back.

"Ridiculous!"

Another silence followed.

"One last question then. Are you staying with her tonight, or coming home with me? You decide."

"You're being unreasonable." With that, Edward walked back into the room and slammed the door.

I choked up. I wanted to smash that door down and drag Edward out. "Fine, I'm leaving!" Since the choice had been made, I took a few steps back, turned around, and ran. "From now on, you can spend as much time with Anne as you want."

Edward didn't come after me. I heard the hospital room door open and close again.

When I got home and opened the door, Melissa Morgan immediately came up to me, took my shoes, and grabbed my bag. "Oh Mrs. Howard, are you hurt? Do you need me to call a doctor?"

Melissa noticed my bandaged hand and asked with concern. This unexpected concern from an outsider made my nose tingle. Edward had spent half the day with me and hadn't noticed my injured hand, or if he had, he didn't care.

He couldn't even compare to a hired servant.

Saying that love was the cheapest thing in the world was absolutely right.

"Melissa, I just got back from the hospital. No need to cook today; you can go home."

The servants didn't live in; they came and went on schedule. Besides the necessary cleaning and cooking, I didn't like having too many people around the house. Right now, I was exhausted and needed to be alone.

Melissa was worried. "How about I tidy up a bit before I leave? I can't take your money for doing nothing."

I knew Melissa's character; she never took advantage of others, so I let her do as she wished.

I stood there blankly, watching Melissa's busy figure, and took a good look at the home I had lived in for four years. The spacious living room, the dark wood-patterned tile floor, the golden marble walls. On the sunny side, there was a floor-to-ceiling window as tall as a wall. Outside, the fragrance of tropical fruit trees wafted into the villa. Every corner of the room exuded a sense of comfort.

The pile of trash Melissa had swept up brought me back to reality. It was a pile of things that didn't belong to me—little dolls, brightly colored cartoon hair clips, cute figurines, and many cartoon cards I couldn't understand.

"Melissa, just leave those things."

I belatedly realized that I liked warm colors, cleanliness, and sunlight streaming into every corner of the house, while every corner had traces of Anne.

I didn't like others invading my private space, but Anne had lived in the house for four years. I was the one who didn't fit in here.

"Melissa, bring me the suitcase. I need to pack."

She looked at me cautiously. "Mrs. Howard, did you have a fight with Mr. Howard? Every couple fights, but you can't just leave because of a fight. If anyone should leave, it should be Mr. Howard." Though it was a joke, her words warmed my heart.

Melissa was someone I had hired from a domestic service center, and her closeness to me was unfazed by the revelation.

I said, "Once I settle down, I'll bring you over. I'm used to your cooking."

To buy some time, Melissa slowly helped me pack, glancing out the window from time to time. I knew what she was waiting for; she had secretly called Edward behind my back.

I thought, it won't matter; Edward won't come back.

In the end, the suitcase was packed. Melissa had to sit on it with her ample hips to barely close the zipper. I reached out to take it, but she held on tightly, not letting go. In the end, I won because I was younger.

I comforted her, "Melissa, stay here. Don't bother cooking anything special. Just make sure to get every penny you can out of Edward, make him go bankrupt if you can."

I gave Melissa a warm farewell, which was my way of saying goodbye.

Melissa suddenly winked at me. Was she forcing out tears?

I waved my hand and turned to leave, turning so quickly that I bumped into the wall.