Half of Edward's face was hidden in shadow, a craving lurking there that words couldn't quite capture. His thumb traced slowly from Carol's cheek down to her earlobe, voice laced with teasing. That lazy smile on his lips didn't hide the chill behind it.

Carol looked at him, a flicker of fear stirring in her chest.

Her face went pale, and she bit her lip. "Don't..."

The windows were shut tight, air thick and heavy. The space was small, and the leftover traces of their closeness clung to everything.

Edward slid an arm around her from behind. He wiped away the thin layer of sweat on her face with cold fingers, then paused at the corner of her eye where tears clung.

She felt like she was going to lose it.

Edward dipped his head, and it was as if he'd swallowed her tears, the soft laugh in his throat carrying that dangerous edge. "You know," he murmured, "you look really damn beautiful right now. What do you think Christopher would say if he saw you like this?"

A mist of tears still clouded Carol's eyes-left over from what he'd just put her through. Her red-rimmed eyes, her expression-it was like something from a painting, seductive and tragically stunning.

She tensed, panic flaring in her chest as she looked up at Edward. "What are you trying to do?"

"Nothing," he said casually.

She didn't buy it. Her voice soft, almost a whisper. "It was just a misunderstanding."

He smirked, scooping her collapsed body up with one arm, eyes gleaming with mischief. "A misunderstanding, huh? Then don't think about him anymore."

Carol blinked. She hadn't even been thinking about Christopher.

But it was like Edward had read her mind. He pressed a kiss on her bare shoulder, slow and deliberate. "I don't mean right now. I mean from this second on, just forget him. Got it?"

With the air in the car so thin, Carol didn't answer fast enough. He pinched her waist, not hard, but enough of a warning. "Answer me. Did you hear me?"

Her body jerked at the sudden motion, suspended for a second before dropping back down.

Her face went even paler. "Got it."

Satisfied, Edward pulled her tighter into his arms, chuckling softly. "You said it yourself. So if one day I find you're still tangled up with him..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but that silence hit harder than any threat. Carol's breath caught. Her spine turned cold.

Edward's smile could be scarier than his anger. The way he lounged lazily, all ease and charm, only made the pressure in the air more suffocating.

Back at the riverside estate, Carol was barely standing. Edward cleaned her up before heading into the bathroom.

The light in there was blinding. Steam fogged up everything, and beads of water slowly ran down the mirrored surface, splitting up his sharp reflection.

He was standing in front of the mirror, still holding that photo of Carol with Christopher. Droplets dripped from his wet hair, sliding down the curve of his neck and past his sharply defined Adam's apple.No one knew how long he'd been standing there until he suddenly tore those photos apart and flung the shredded pieces into the air. They fluttered down, scattered all over the floor - Carol and Christopher's picture-perfect moment now in ruins.

The image stayed frozen for a beat, fog still swirling in the air, before Edward finally stepped out from the shadows.

Carol was curled up under the blanket in a silky sleepwear, looking fragile. Her hair was spread out over the pillow, slightly damp. From above, Edward stared down at her - her brows were gently furrowed like her sleep wasn't restful. One of his fingers brushed the side of her neck, right over the mark he'd left there on purpose.

Her face was flushed more than normal, her breathing heavy and uneven.

Frowning, Edward reached out to feel her forehead. The moment his hand touched her, he jerked it back.

Burning hot.

He immediately pulled out his phone and called, "Nathaniel, get Brandon here, right now."

Nathaniel had worked with Edward for years. He read between the lines with ease and wasted no time bringing Brandon straight over to the property.

Brandon always showed up in a crisp suit, carrying a professional vibe. Though technically employed by the Dawson family, everyone knew he was really Edward's personal physician.

"She's burning up," Edward said tersely. "Check her out."

In the room, it was just them - three men and a burning-up Carol on the bed. Edward stood by her side, lean and tall, with just a loosely tied towel around his waist that looked ready to fall at any second.

Brandon set down his medical bag, giving Edward's bare torso a once-over. "Seriously, Edward? Maybe a shirt next time?" The implication hung heavy in the air. It didn't take a genius to figure out what had just gone down.

Edward casually dropped his eyes to himself - firm chest and defined abs, towel barely hanging on - and smirked, hands on his hips like a challenge. "Jealous much?"

Brandon checked Carol's temperature. "She's at 102. That's pretty damn high."

Obvious cause: intense activity, then catching a chill.

Edward's gaze darkened. "Get an IV going. Cool her fever down."

Brandon sighed like he'd heard this one too many times. "Edward, buddy, we gotta talk. Can you stop dragging me out here for every random fever? I'm a doctor, not your personal nurse. You've got people on payroll who can handle a drip."

Edward raised an eyebrow, unconcerned. "What, you don't know how to do it?"

"..." That taunt worked a little too well.

Brandon bit back a retort and grabbed Carol's hand to start the IV. Just as he held the needle over her hand, the sharp tip hovering right above the vein-

Edward suddenly questioned him. "Brandon, you sure you know what you're doing? If you don't, I can call someone else."

Startled, Brandon almost jabbed the wrong spot. "Of course I know what I'm doing!"

He huffed, picking up the syringe again with a steadier grip, when Edward spoke up - dead serious this time. "Go easy."

Brandon Lucas shot Edward an unimpressed look, silently thinking, "Now you decide to feel guilty? If it weren't for you, Carol wouldn't be like this."

Edward called for Mary Anderson to take care of Carol.

The IV dripped slowly. Carol stirred once halfway through, eyes hazy as she looked around. No sign of Edward, only Mary sitting quietly nearby.

Her lips were dry and cracked. She felt groggy all over. "What... happened to me?"

Mary hurried to hand her a glass of water. "Miss Bright, you've got a fever. Mr. Dawson asked me to look after you."

Carol pushed the glass aside, her voice a little hoarse. "Where is he?"

Mary hesitated. "I heard from Mr. Carter that... Mr. Dawson went to Royal Club."

Everyone knew about Edward's reputation - charming but unreliable. Seeing Carol's expression fall, Mary quickly added, "Miss Bright, maybe he had something urgent to handle."

There was barely any change in Carol's face, but her hand clenched the neatly made blanket until it wrinkled beneath her fingers. "What urgent matter could he possibly have there? Don't try to make me feel better, Mary. I understand exactly what kind of person he is."

Mary looked awkward but chose not to say more. This wasn't something she could step into.

It was nearly four in the morning when Edward finally came home. Carol hadn't slept at all. As soon as she heard the door, she shut her eyes.

The strong scent of alcohol mixed with perfume hit instantly - no doubt he'd just come from some woman's place.

Her fists tightened under the blanket, and her lashes trembled, betraying her despite herself.

"I know you're awake."

Since Edward called her out, she didn't bother pretending anymore.

He reached out to feel her forehead, but Carol instinctively turned away. Edward just laughed lazily. "Still mad?"

"No." Her answer was sharp and definite.

Propping himself up, Edward casually loosened his tie, voice flat. "You're sick. Rest today. Don't bother going to the office."

"Then don't go either. Stay here with me."

The words slipped out before she could stop them. Maybe it was the fever, or maybe just that heavy loneliness that sickness amplifies.

She rarely let her guard down like this. Even Edward was caught off guard for a second. Then he gave a snort of laughter, eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Alright. I'll stay."

He took off his jacket and was about to climb into bed when his phone rang.

Carol caught a glimpse of the caller ID - Jessica.

Edward glanced at her, then still walked off to take the call.

Carol stared at him, couldn't make out what he was saying, but the hallway light lit up the shadow on his face. He looked tense.

"There's something I need to deal with over at Jessica's."

Carol felt like she'd swallowed something bitter. "What is it that can't wait till morning?"

Edward didn't respond.

She pressed on, desperate. "You're still going? But you just said... you'd stay here with me."

"Don't start with me right now."

His tone was calm, not loud or harsh, but Carol still heard the firmness underneath.

Right now? What exactly did he mean by "right now"? When he was stuck choosing between his favorite and just someone to pass time with?

One was real love, the other just a fling.

Edward grabbed his jacket and slipped it on without even looking back. While heading out, he only left her one line: "Try to get some rest."

Carol didn't stop him-she knew better by now. She couldn't hold him even if she tried.

Edward hated being controlled, hated expectations. He was rebellious and did whatever he wanted. No one could really tell him what to do.

Her narrow, dreamy eyes blurred over. The silky curtains swayed wildly in the wind, casting torn shadows on the wall. She lay back down fast, yanking the blanket over her head.

Ever since she was little, Sophia had raised Carol like a proper heiress, drilling elegance and pride into her bones. Even if she loved Edward, even if she wanted him to stay and not go to Jessica, she would never stoop so low as to beg for his attention.

She had nowhere to be today, so when the clock hit ten, Carol was still curled up in bed.

It wasn't until Sophia called that she reluctantly got out.

"Baby, tomorrow's your birthday. Is there anything you want? Just tell me-I'll get it for you no matter what."

She blinked, rubbing her forehead. Oh, right-it really was tomorrow. She'd almost forgotten if not for the reminder.

"I don't really want anything. Don't bother buying stuff for me-use the money for yourself."

Even if Timothy had no love for Carol and Sophia, he wasn't stingy. She got a nearly million-dollar spending limit each month.

The money was controlled by Sophia. Carol had a salary and didn't rely on her mom financially, but it wasn't exactly pocket change. That amount was more than enough to survive a lifetime in some small countryside town.

But Sophia spent fast-designer bags, clothes, jewelry, cosmetic procedures, and her need to keep up appearances in her social circle.

"You're a good kid. The Dawson family spends a ton, so I won't add to that. Anyway, I'm sure Christopher and Edward will get you something amazing. By the way, did Edward mention any plans for your birthday?"

Carol stayed silent, eyes blankly glued to the ceiling.

If Edward was off with Jessica right now, she'd bet he hadn't spared a thought about her birthday in days.

Over the phone, Sophia was still ranting-about how if Raymond were still around, he'd gather the whole Dawson clan and throw some grand birthday party for her.

Too bad he was long gone.

Carol couldn't listen anymore. She made up an excuse and hung up.

Edward never came home that day. And Carol? She never stepped out of the penthouse.

Soon, the big day finally came.

Carol stood by the window, watching as the sunset painted the sky in deep orange. Just a couple more hours till nightfall, and clearly, Edward wasn't showing up.

A wave of disappointment hit her like a collapsing dam.

Then, right when she thought she'd hit rock bottom-Nathaniel showed up.

"Miss Bright, Mr. Dawson asked you to be at Maison Étoile at 8 tonight. This is the dress he picked out for you."

Carol looked down and instantly recognized the gown-it was the one-of-a-kind diamond-embellished evening dress that cost over ten million.

Shortly after, her phone buzzed. Edward had texted: [Got you a present. Be good and wait for me.]

Nathaniel even brought in one of the top styling teams in the country.

As she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, Carol couldn't help the excitement bubbling up inside her.

So Edward hadn't forgotten about her after all.

She was already fully dressed before 7 and couldn't wait any longer-she went early to the place Edward had reserved.

Maison Étoile was one of the poshest restaurants in Ravensburg. Edward had booked the entire place, and every detail showed effort.

Her hair had been styled into soft wheat-like waves, loosely pinned up with tiny pearls and diamond accents. She looked like a noble princess straight out of a European fairytale.

The champagne-colored gown shimmered as she walked, the soft lighting making her cool beauty look almost unreal. Her eyes, glowing like they held moonlight, carried a soft, unspoken tenderness.

The waiters at Maison Étoile were visibly stunned by her presence, quickly realizing she was the star of the night and scrambled to impress her with sweet talk.

Tips were bound to be generous tonight, and Carol was in high spirits, tipping without hesitation.

She chose a window seat, quietly waiting. Her red lips curled into a faint, sincere smile, full of anticipation.

Outside, the wind howled. The sky shifted from a warm red glow to a deep, shadowy black, like hot water turning to ice.

Carol waited from 7 all the way till 9, but there was still no sign of Edward.

The long wait was wearing her out. She kept checking her compact mirror, fixing her makeup again and again. She just wanted to look perfect for the gift Edward had arranged.

But the longer she waited, the more her patience wore thin. Even the waiters started whispering among themselves, guessing she'd been stood up.

She hugged her arms, now cold and stiff, and told herself he must've been held up by something.

By the time 10 rolled around-two hours past the agreed time-she couldn't take it anymore and called him.

It rang for a while before someone finally picked up.

"Hey, Edward?"

But it wasn't Edward-it was a soft female voice on the other line. "Carol? It's Jessica."

Carol froze. She hadn't expected that at all.

Her first instinct was to clench her fists, then she slowly let go. "Miss Green, I was looking for Mr. Dawson," she said, switching to formal speech.

"Oh, Carol, Edward just got in the shower. He won't be out for a bit. But if you're not in a rush, I'll have him call you back once he's done. Sound okay?"Jessica sounded all sweet and understanding on the other end, tossing Carol a so-called perfect middle-ground solution.

Shower? Edward's in the shower? So that means he's with Jessica...

Carol's chest tightened like someone poured boiling oil over her heart. Her knuckles went white from gripping the phone too hard. She was barely keeping it together, forcing her voice to sound calm and steady.

"Alright. Thanks, Miss Green."

The phone slipped right out of her hand and hit the floor. She didn't even register it.

A few minutes later, it buzzed again, snapping her out of her daze. She scrambled to grab it, heart pounding.

Not a call. A message from Edward.

[Jessica's not feeling well, I need to stay with her. You go ahead and eat something and get some rest. Don't wait up.]

She had waited for four whole hours, and this... this was what she got in return.

Every time it came down to a choice between Jessica and her, Edward never picked her.

In Edward's world, Jessica was always the number one.

Last night was like that. And now, on her own birthday, it was the same damn story.

Carol's body went rigid, like all the air had been sucked out of her lungs. Her whole being was trembling. The pain crawled under her skin like creeper vines, twisting and digging in deep. It felt like someone was peeling her open and stabbing needles right under her nails, then slamming her soul against a wall.

A waiter nearby, discreetly waiting for instructions, noticed something was off.

"Miss Bright, it's nearly eleven. Should we go ahead and serve the dishes now?"

Carol didn't respond. Her eyes, dark and glassy, shimmered with unfallen tears. She gripped her phone tighter and stood up, scanning the perfectly arranged hall.

Then her gaze caught her own reflection in the glass.

What looked back at her seemed almost stripped bare, like someone left her naked in front of a crowd just to be laughed at. The whole setup suddenly looked ridiculous.

She stumbled out of the Maison Étoile banquet hall like she couldn't hear anything anymore. The waiter's voice faded behind her. Her once graceful steps turned weak and unsteady. The confidence and brightness she walked in with were completely gone.

Rain had started to fall outside, wrapping everything in a faint mist that blurred the world around her. People on the street were rushing to get out of the rain, shielding themselves and running.

Not Carol. She let the rain soak her completely, walking silently and blindly through the crowd. Her eyes were blank, her lips pressed shut, moving like a puppet that someone forgot to control.

Crushed flowers lay puddled on the ground nearby, sticky and broken, like someone had spilled a jar of honey and left it to rot.

She couldn't believe how foolish she'd been, actually thinking Edward might care.

A man hell-bent on payback could never love her.

Suddenly, bright headlights blasted out of nowhere. A car engine roared.

Carol instinctively turned her head, eyes widening-

A car was coming straight at her.

Meanwhile, Edward, still with Jessica, answered a call.

"Are you Carol's family member?"

His face tensed, a sinking fear creeping into his voice. "Yes, what happened?"

"She's been in a car accident. It's serious. She's in the ER. You need to come now."

The emergency room at the International Medical Center was brightly lit, the smell of antiseptic hanging heavy in the air. Carol lay on the hospital bed, letting the medical staff check her over. The harsh white walls and those glaring lights made everything around her seem a little unreal. It was late at night, but the ER was still buzzing-people coming and going, all caught in their own battles between life and death.

Carol was alone. As people passed by, they threw curious glances her way-some even looked a little sympathetic.

The attending doctor gave a small smile. "Miss Bright, you're really lucky. The car's basically totaled, but you only have a few scrapes."

Carol's face was pale. She gently massaged her temples. "Doctor, I feel kinda dizzy and queasy. What's going on?"

He glanced at her chart. "Looks like your head got knocked around a bit. We ran all the scans-no bleeding in the brain. Just a mild concussion. The dizziness, nausea, and that fuzzy feeling? All completely normal. Rest up, don't overthink it. You'll be fine."

"Thanks, Doctor."

Just then, a patrol officer walked in. Behind him was the man who'd hit her.

"Footage shows you stepped into the street yourself," the officer said. "If you're open to settling this privately, he's here to talk."

The driver was a middle-aged man, apparently a taxi driver. He looked nervous and earnest. "Miss, I'm really sorry. It's true I hit you, but it wasn't all my fault. I'll cover all your medical expenses. I just... I hope we can just let it end here."

One glance and it was easy to tell she came from money-the way she dressed, the jewelry... way beyond his league. He could afford to pay the hospital bills, but anything more...

Carol didn't make it difficult. She nodded at the officer and driver. "Okay. It's fine. Sorry this caused so much trouble."

And just like that, the whole car accident situation was resolved.

A nurse walked over with some forms. "Your injuries aren't serious, but we still need a family member to sign off on a few things. Could you get someone to come by?"

She looked at the worn-out girl in front of her and poured her a cup of warm water. The poor thing had no one with her after the accident.

Carol checked her pockets, realizing her phone was gone. Must've fallen during the crash. Luckily, just then, the cop brought it back.

She turned it on and opened her contacts, pausing when she saw Edward's name.

But she didn't dial. Edward had ditched her birthday plans to stay with Jessica because Jessica wasn't feeling well. Carol figured-if she was just a little banged up, there was no way he'd leave Jessica to come to her.

After thinking about it, she realized Christopher was the only reliable person she could call.

As for Sophia, she was too impulsive-telling her might just cause a scene.

Not long after she hung up, Christopher rushed into the room. His expression was full of worry. "What happened? How did you end up in a car accident? Where are you hurt?"

She placed a hand on his to calm him down. "It's really not a big deal. Just a mild concussion and a few scrapes. The doctor said I'll be okay."

Hearing that, Christopher finally looked a little less tense.

"Did you fill out the admit papers? If not, I'll have someone handle it. You're gonna need to stay for a couple days just to be safe."

At the mention of staying, Carol immediately shook her head. "It's okay, Chris. I really don't want to be admitted. The doctor said it's nothing serious anyway."

Christopher sighed and took off his coat, draping it over her shoulders. "Why don't you want to stay?"

Carol stayed quiet, eyes low.

Christopher didn't push it any further. He could tell right away something wasn't right. He glanced at her, testing the waters: "Carol, isn't today your birthday? I got you a gift, thought you'd be with Edward, so I didn't want to bother you. Where is he? Why wasn't he with you when this happened?"

Carol used to think breakdowns looked like dramatic screaming matches. Turns out silence could be even louder. Everything around her moved like water passing by-she was the only one stuck in this whirlpool of pain, unable to escape.

She didn't look at him. Instead, she stared blankly at the patch of light some distance away, her voice coming out calm and almost indifferent: "Jessica wasn't feeling well. He's with her. Couldn't leave."

Christopher noticed the slight tremble of her lashes, the way her pale fingers clutched the blanket just a bit too tightly. Her expression didn't change much, but the emotion buried in her eyes gave her away.

He gently tucked her stray hair behind her ear. "He and Jessica grew up together, they've got a special bond. Still, you just got in an accident, and he wasn't here? That's not okay. I'll have a word with him, okay?"

Carol bit her lip, finally lifting her eyes toward him. "Chris... Edward really loves Jessica, doesn't he?"

There was a fleeting shadow in Christopher's gaze. He gave a soft chuckle. "I just remember the night Jessica left the country... Edward drank so much, he ended up in the ER with a bleeding stomach."

He didn't give a direct answer, but everything in his tone made it clear: Edward loved Jessica, no question.

Carol's lips were dry and slightly cracked, pressed into a firm line now. It felt like someone had their hand wrapped tight around her throat, and there was no way to let out the kind of sorrow that made your whole body ache. It was like being run over slowly by a giant stone roller-bloody, painful, relentless.

She had known the answer deep down. But still, she asked-maybe hoping for a lie, anything kinder than the truth.

Christopher had been watching her closely, the pain in her face tugging at that long-frozen place in his chest.

He gently cupped her cheeks, his thumb brushing lightly over her skin. "Alright, no more gloomy stuff. It's your birthday today." He glanced at his watch. "Still got a few minutes until midnight. I'll ask someone to grab you a cake."

Carol gave a strained smile. "Don't bother, Chris. It's just another day. Cake or not, it doesn't matter anymore."

Christopher looked around the room, then stood up. "Wait here."

She watched him, slightly dazed, as he managed to trade something with a kid nearby and returned with a lollipop.

He unwrapped it, holding it out to her. "Blueberry, your favorite. Sweet things for your birthday. Maybe life will get a little sweeter too."

The sight of the familiar blueberry lollipop made her eyes sting. Back in school, she used to love these. Always had one in her mouth-until Sophia said it wasn't proper for a girl from a respectable family. So, she forced herself to stop.

Christopher gave her a big warm smile. "Happy birthday, Carol."

Looking at him, Carol couldn't describe how she felt. Everything that had happened over the past few days hit her all at once-so unfair, it hurt.

She remembered how Christopher pushed her away when she wanted to stay with the Dawsons. They'd clashed before. But his kindness tonight... it wasn't fake.

She had always acted tough, but right now, she just felt so small and tired.

Voice barely above a whisper, eyes a little wet, she said: "...Thanks."

Christopher glanced toward the hallway and gently pulled her into his arms, one hand softly patting her frail back.

Right now, Carol needed someone-anyone-to be there.

She didn't resist. Emotions overwhelmed her, and she just... leaned in.

And then-just when the room seemed wrapped in stillness and warm light-an icy voice cut through it like a knife.

"What the hell is going on here?"