Love's Perfect Match

"I'd like to mend our relationship, as well as your relationship with Callum."

"There's nothing worth mending," Edmund retorted stiffly.

"I know you're still affected by the fact that I ran away from the altar. Even though you act as if you're completely fine about it, I know it made you upset. I just never found the time to talk to you about it."

Edmund was a little flustered at the mention of this incident. His hostility dissipated and was replaced by evasiveness. It was as if he wanted to avoid this topic.

"Actually, I—"

"Actually, I know that you begrudge the way things played out, so I want to give you a proper apology. I'm truly sorry for hurting you. I'm sorry that I couldn't return your feelings. I'm sure you'll meet someone else who's better than me, but the woman earlier is certainly not her."

While listening to Elspeth, Edmund's feelings were complicated.

It went without saying that he had indeed been affected by the whole situation.

When she ran away from the altar, he didn't pursue the matter. Instead, he scrounged up an excuse on her behalf and protected her reputation.

That was because he knew that she was never in love with him. Even if he did marry her, he couldn't change that.

Thus, he hoped she would find happiness, even if he weren't the one for her.

His expression became a little awkward when Elspeth mentioned the woman. "Stop talking about her."

"But this isn't like you."

At the end of the day, Elspeth never truly detested Edmund. She could accept his sharp tongue as him simply being a blunt and straightforward person, but she was caught off guard by what she saw today.

To numb oneself was also a form of reckless abandon.

Yet, after answering her, Edmund realized that he seemed like an errant child who'd just been reprimanded by a parent, and his expression soured. "Why

out in laughter, but for the sake of avoiding an outburst from him, she cleared her throat and refuted,

"Fine. Are you done?"

course not. Since you're willing to crack a joke with me, it means you've more or

and stated, "Now, it's time to talk about

engaging in any form of conflict with him. Don't get yourself involved in this mess." Edmund eyed her coolly, but

part of the Winthrop Family now. This counts

this situation must be resolved. You

you see him through rose-tinted glasses, but that's no excuse for you to try and absolve him of all the things he

an attempt to absolve him, huh? Edmund,

different

abrupt change in topic.

the business to grow

what was the truth,

thought for a few moments before he figured out the unseen events that happened

didn't help you out in secret, you'd probably still be having a hard time surviving in the Cole Family right now. You certainly won't have the

had been completely unaware of all this. She

that something like this had been happening in secret. He turned red at the thought of what he had

brother and he willingly did all those things for you. You don't need to feel like you owe him anything, either." Elspeth stared at the man with flashing eyes. "But I don't want to

she used and asked, "What do you mean 'all of

from his fans, and whenever the paparazzi

part of the Winthrop Family now. This counts as

in

…

listened to Elspeth as she listed out the things

same, he

mentioned these things to any of