Chapter 6 She's Just My Sister!

"You don't love me," I stared into Edward's watery eyes, enunciating each word.

I turned around, no longer facing Edward.

Nowadays, I could find evidence everywhere that Edward didn't love me. Edward had no patience for me anymore.

Yes, I had no more expectations.

Seeing that I wasn't looking at him, Edward grabbed my wrist and dragged me towards the closet.

"Edward, let go of me!" Thinking about what Edward did there this morning, I didn't want to step inside again.

I struggled hard, but Edward's grip only tightened.

Edward pinned me against the closet door with one arm, while his other hand lifted my chin flirtatiously.

I had no choice but to look directly into Edward's eyes.

Edward's face darkened as he spoke, "Diana, how can I take you home like this?"

I awkwardly tugged at my dress. "It's all your fault. You wrinkled my dress, and now I can't wear it anymore."I softened my tone, my voice becoming shy. "Just pick one out for me. I trust my husband's taste."

"Now you're ordering me around?" Edward retorted sarcastically.

I wrapped my arms around Edward's waist, which was as firm as an eighteen-year-old's.

"Can't you even pick out an outfit for me?"

The Edward in front of me seemed hard to understand. Was this the man I had loved for twenty years?

I had never enjoyed Edward's service. After we got married, I managed Edward's life meticulously. Now that we were about to part, I had to find a way to make it up to myself.

"Just this once. Other women don't get this treatment."

Edward pulled out a pale blue dress and draped it over my head, then turned and walked out of the closet.

"But Anne does," I muttered, pulling the dress off my head in a huff.

"Diana! Have you had enough? Anne is my sister!"

Edward took care of his stepsister personally, but to me, it felt like a favor.

"Sister? Are you sure that's all she is to you?" I raised my voice.

Edward pinned me against the wall again, his lips pressing against mine, leaving me no room to escape.

'Might as well enjoy this while it lasts,' I thought, kissing him back with a passion I hadn't felt in years.

"Remember your place. Just be Mrs. Howard," Edward said in a low voice, not lingering on my body. "As for everything else, it's none of your business!"

Taking advantage of Edward's moment of relaxation, I turned and went back to the upstairs bedroom. Edward didn't follow.

I stood in front of the mirror, trying on the dress. The delicate moon and flower patterns on the fabric made me feel like I was in a sea of flowers, light and airy.

I opened the vanity, applied light makeup, and casually pulled my long hair into a ponytail with a matching ribbon. I grabbed a matching fan and went downstairs.

Edward, dressed impeccably in a suit, sat on the sofa with a cold expression. Hearing the sound, Edward stood up and looked at me.

The moment our eyes met, my body felt electrified. Despite being married for four years, Edward's handsome features and tall stature still captivated me.

Edward didn't seem to notice my graceful figure wrapped in the dress. He casually played with the bracelet on his wrist and said, "Not wearing any jewelry? People might think I'm bankrupt! I'll give you five minutes. Get dressed and come see me," Edward said and then left me to go start the car in the yard.

Melissa awkwardly brought out an exquisite jewelry box.

"Mrs. Howard, these are the pieces Mr. Howard carefully selected for you. How about it?"

"Melissa, do you also think Anne and Edward are a better match?"

I sighed, staring at Edward's back in a daze.

"Mrs. Howard, you shouldn't say that," Melissa interrupted me. "Ms. York is Mr. Howard's sister. Naturally, you and Mr. Howard are a perfect match."

I silently walked to the car and opened the door, but Edward stopped me, saying, "You sit in the back. The front is for Anne."

"Why?" I froze, my hand still in mid-air, forgetting to pull it back.

"We're going to the hospital first. Anne isn't feeling well, so let her sit in the front."

Seeing me frozen, Edward impatiently honked the horn.

The piercing sound brought me back to reality.

"Are you getting in or not?" Edward's cold voice reached my ears.

In just a few seconds, my world felt like it had experienced an earthquake.

My fingers gripped the car door so tightly that my knuckles turned white, and the smile on my face disappeared.

"Edward!" Anne waved her arms from afar, waiting at the hospital gate.

Anne seemed to be recovering well, except for her slightly awkward gait.

Edward quickly got out of the car to help Anne into the front passenger seat.

The car smoothly drove towards the Howard Mansion. The moment Anne got in, the previously stifling air became lively.

"Edward, I'm so happy you and Diana came to pick me up. I hope from now on, wherever you go or whatever delicious food you eat, you'll take me with you. Our family should be as happy as we are today every day."

I didn't respond, and Edward didn't say much either. Anne asked again, "Edward, okay?"

"Okay."

Not satisfied with Edward's answer, Anne turned to me, pouting, "Diana."

"Okay." I nodded reluctantly.

That was all I could say.

"Then I'm relieved. You two better not fight anymore."

Looking at this seemingly innocent girl in the front seat, I used to think Anne was just a spoiled girl. Now, I realized she was quite skilled.

She centered everything around Edward, using me as a radius, her cuteness as a tool, and her goal was to make me see their interactions clearly.

Anne succeeded.

The car smoothly drove into the Howard Mansion. Clara immediately came up and gave me a warm hug, then shot a seemingly casual glare at Anne before pulling me into the kitchen.

Seeing my injured hand, Clara took it and blew on it gently, asking cautiously, "What happened? Does it hurt?"

I pulled my hand back. Just thinking about it made my heart ache.

I didn't want to talk about what happened in the hospital, so I brushed it off. Clara brought over a bowl of herbal soup.

"I went to Golden Autumn Town a few days ago. There's a famous hospital there, and I specially bought this to help you recuperate."

Clara pushed the bowl towards me, her eyes eagerly looking at my belly, and said, "Drink it while it's hot. You need to get your body ready for a baby!"

I felt a bit uncomfortable under Clara's gaze, but I still drank the herbal soup. Clara timely popped a grape into my mouth.

"Good girl." Clara encouraged me with a smile, "Take this bowl to Edward. He won't take it if I give it to him."

Taking the herbal soup Clara handed me, I couldn't help but think, 'How can one person have a child? I can't reproduce asexually.'

If my marriage with Edward really reached the point of no return, letting go of my feelings for Clara might be the most difficult.

"Edward, Mom made this herbal soup for you. Drink it while it's hot." I carried the tray over to Edward, squatted down, and pretended to be shy as I spoke softly, "Mom and Dad want a grandchild."

Everyone in the room except me was shocked. After all, I had always maintained a certain shyness in front of the man I liked and had never been so straightforward.

Hayden Howard put down his newspaper and cleared his throat, saying, "Having a child should be on your own terms. It's just that Daniel Wilson keeps bragging about his grandson to us. Diana, don't you think Daniel is annoying?"

Hayden said all this in one breath and then started coughing violently.

In the early years, Hayden had worn out his body for the development of the Howard Group. Now that Edward could take on the responsibility, Hayden had stepped back to a life of reading newspapers, fishing, and resting.

But as Hayden's health deteriorated, he spent most of his energy on hospital visits. Perhaps knowing his own condition, Hayden placed more importance on the lineage of the family.

I patted Hayden's back and soothed him a bit. Edward, pleased that I hadn't mentioned divorce, smiled slightly and drank the herbal soup in one gulp.

Seeing Edward put down the empty bowl, I stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his lips. "Now it won't be bitter."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Anne's smile freeze on her face.

Her expression said it all. I just didn't have the evidence yet.

In front of those who didn't know, I won't reveal this secret. If someone else couldn't hold it in and slips up, it was not my fault.

The closer I got to the truth, the more scared I became, but I couldn't control my desire to probe.