Edward Stephens looked at her, a trace of solemnity emerging in his deep-set brows. He was not a reticent or indifferent man; on the contrary, the young master of the Stephens family was born with a smile. Even when he wasn’t smiling, his thin lips naturally formed a slight curve, exuding an inherent charm and casual elegance.
But at this moment, the corners of his lips turned downwards, his thin lips tightly pressed together. That noble and youthful face embodied an aura of authoritative presence typical of the Stephens family. Emily Ginger had been with Edward Stephens for so long, had seen his gentle smile, but had never seen him look so cold and aloof.
She felt a bit at a loss, not knowing what she did wrong, raising her face like a small animal, with a confused and frightened expression.
Edward Stephens looked on, adding another layer to his resentment toward Daisy Ginger.
But things had come to this point; continuing his relationship with Emily Ginger was indeed impossible.
He said, "I have already filed for the annulment with the Ginger Residence."
Emily Ginger slightly trembled, and the small lunchbox in her hands fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
The food she had carefully chosen for him scattered on the floor, the sauce spilling everywhere.
"Ed, Edward..." Emily Ginger whispered, trembling, "I don’t want to break up..."
Edward Stephens withdrew his gaze, saying indifferently, "I’ll transfer the breakup fee to your account; your mother will be satisfied with the amount."
Emily Ginger stood there, tears streaming from her eyes as she cried, "I truly love you."
"I know," Edward Stephens replied. He wasn’t foolish; of course, he could tell whether his girlfriend was sincere.
He knew Emily Ginger approached him because of Abigail Perry’s words, and he also knew Emily really liked him.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have agreed to the engagement.
Marriage, naturally, requires finding someone you love who loves you back.
But now, he was destined to owe her much.
Emily Ginger cried so hard she couldn’t speak, her shoulders trembling. After a while, she finally stammered, "Edward, I know it was wrong to approach you at first... but I really love you... I’ll tell you everything, please don’t be angry, okay? I’ll tell you everything... I don’t want to break up..."
Edward Stephens slowly raised his hand, gently placing it on Emily Ginger’s hair. The warmth in his palm was faint, but still retained a hint of warmth. Emily looked up hopefully at Edward’s face, only to see his eyes filled with gentle yet distant emotion.
He said, "I know everything. I won’t blame you. This time, I was the one who wronged you first. You didn’t do anything wrong; you don’t have to apologize to me."
He quickly withdrew his hand, stepped back, and leaned against the windowsill.
"Your mother will find you a good match, don’t waste too much of your thoughts on me," he said, looking out the window with a mild calm in his voice, "You can’t cure this illness of mine, and I can’t watch my mother kneel before me over and over. This isn’t your fault; it’s mine. Emily, I’m sorry, but let’s break up."
So he knew everything—she had been prompted by Abigail Perry to approach him, and her mother was searching for other rich suitors for her. He knew it all.
Emily Ginger stood there dumbfounded, as if meeting this man for the first time. In the moment of losing him, she suddenly realized that he really did love her too.
"I, I don’t want to break up..." Emily Ginger shook her head, replying somewhat bewildered. She turned her head to look at Daisy Ginger, who was standing by the door with her arms crossed, watching like a spectator, a cool and thin smile on her lips. She couldn’t understand how any woman could have a heart so cold and hard.