Ch. 288: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life chapter 288

Chapter 288

Archer's carefree expression hardened, his anger subsiding into a cold, calculating gaze as he narrowed his eyes. "That depends on your sincerity," he said sharply.

Karina's face went pale as she spoke up quickly, desperation lacing her voice. "Jace doesn’t know anything! He has nothing to do with my plan. Let him go this time."

Archer’s attention drifted to Jace’s hands. For a moment, it seemed he wanted to take hold of them, but Jace pulled back effortlessly, his tone laced with hidden meaning. "Let’s have a drink tonight."

The tension melted away from Archer’s face, replaced by an easy smile. "Alright. I’ll wait for you."

With that, Archer let go of Karina, and the man who had been with him disappeared.

Karina pushed herself up from the floor, her body trembling with pain from the whip marks. But the ache didn’t stop her from bursting out, her voice sharp with alarm. "You’re insane! Don’t you realize he’s a monster? If you go, you’ll be walking straight to your death!"

The room was eerily quiet now, with just the two of them left.

Jace didn’t respond immediately. His calm eyes glanced over her briefly as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a sterilized towel to meticulously wipe the hand that had touched Archer. The disgust in his expression was impossible to miss.

"It’s not urgent," Jace finally said, his voice steady and indifferent.

Karina’s frustration boiled over. "You told him you’d meet tonight! How can you act so calm? Do you really think you’ll walk out unscathed?"

Jace turned his sharp gaze on her, his voice deliberate. "Are you enjoying your life right now?"

Karina hesitated, looking away as defiance flared in her eyes. "I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. It’s a hundred times better than you going to meet him!"

They had been born into the shadows, and their fates were tied to the darkness. But even so, they clung stubbornly to the scraps of dignity they still possessed.

Jace’s expression remained tranquil, detached even, as if nothing in the world could rattle him. Yet, his fingers absently toyed with a string of beads hidden in his pocket. His voice, low and unwavering, carried a promise. "This life won’t last much longer."

Karina snapped her head toward him, her face tightening in concern as she caught the grim smile curling at the corner of his lips. Something was off. "What are you planning to do?"

Jace didn’t answer directly. Instead, he pulled out his scalpel and began wiping it with meticulous care.

Gloria looked over at Norah, concern etched on her face. "You need to eat something. If you don’t, the baby will suffer too."

Norah hesitated, her hand protectively resting on her stomach. Kevin was still unconscious in the hospital, and the weight of it all had drained her energy.

"You’re right," Norah finally relented. She wasn’t just responsible for herself anymore.

The two women left the hospital to pick up food and supplies. Gloria stopped by a fruit tea shop, and after a long wait, she handed Norah a cup. "Here you go."

Norah reached for the tea, but it slipped from her fingers. Thankfully, Gloria caught it before it hit the ground.

"Norah, are you alright?" Gloria asked, her brow furrowing. "You look exhausted."

Norah shook her head, baffled by her own clumsiness. "I don’t know... I meant to grab it, but my hand just let go."

Could it still be the lingering effects of that injection?

Gloria handed the cup back, a bit more firmly this time. "Take it. Don’t drop it again!"

Norah managed a faint smile. "Got it."

"I’m going to grab some pastries. You wait here," Gloria said, heading toward a nearby bakery.

Norah sat by the window, her gaze drifting outside. Her thoughts spiraled, fixating on the red-haired woman and the unsettling sense of déjà vu she felt about her and Jace.

Suddenly, her eyes locked onto a figure standing across the street—a man with piercing brown eyes.

"Jace," she whispered, standing abruptly.

Jace smiled at her, but there was an unmistakable sadness in his eyes.

Norah felt a pang of guilt. She thought of the harsh words she had once thrown at him. Had they wounded him? Could there be a deeper truth she had failed to see?

As the light changed, she hurried toward him, her heart racing with urgency. But by the time she crossed the street, he was gone. In his place, she found a basket of fresh strawberries.

Her heart sank.

Lifting the basket, she frantically searched the area. "Jace! Where are you? Don’t avoid me—I have questions for you!"

But Jace was nowhere to be seen. It was as though he had vanished into thin air, leaving only the strawberries behind.

"Norah!" Gloria called from across the street, panic in her voice. When she spotted Norah, she hurried over. "What’s going on? I thought something happened to you!"

Norah clutched the basket tightly, her voice soft and uncertain. "I was looking for someone. For Jace."

Gloria frowned, scanning the street. "Jace? The handsome guy? If he was here, why didn’t he wait for you?"

Norah stared at the basket in her hands, her thoughts muddled. "I don’t know. He just left this for me."

Gloria sighed. "He’s a strange one. Come on, let’s head back to the hospital. You can think about this after we’ve eaten something."

Back at the hospital, the air was thick with commotion. Bianca, dressed impeccably as if straight out of Vanity Fair, stormed into the hallway, her sunglasses perched on her head. Her voice rang with urgency.

"Where’s Kevin?!" she demanded.

A soldier stepped forward, blocking her path. "Captain Edwards is resting. No disturbances allowed."

Bianca’s expression hardened, but she held her ground. "I need to see him."