Ch. 312: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life Chapter 312

Chapter 312

Jace’s expression turned complex. If Norah ever found out about his past, she wouldn’t be saying such kind things to him now.

He couldn’t even bring himself to touch her hand, let alone reveal the darkness he carried.

But this time, Jace didn’t pull away. He let her hold his hand, even if it filled him with unease.

They sat together in silence for a while. Norah noticed the string of Buddhist beads on her wrist. The red hue of the beads seemed to have deepened. She held them up to the light and frowned.

“Is it just me, or have these beads gotten darker?”

Jace’s calm gaze didn’t falter. “Are you sure?”

Norah studied them closely, moving the beads under the sunlight. The red gleamed more vividly now. “I could’ve sworn these beads were lighter when you gave them to me. Did you notice the change? They even smell faintly of herbs... and blood.”

Her observation made Jace tense slightly. He instinctively rubbed his wrist, forcing a faint smile. “They’re probably fake. I never really checked if they were authentic.”

Norah looked at him intently. “Fake? You’ve worn these beads for so long, Jace. If they were fake, why would you keep them so close?”

She paused, her brows knitting together. “It’s strange, though. Why would beads like these carry a scent like that?”

Jace tried to brush it off. “I wouldn’t read too much into it. Maybe it’s just your imagination.”

But Norah wasn’t convinced. Her sharp instincts told her something was off, yet she chose to let it go. She gently touched the beads and smiled.

“Well, whether they’re strange or not, they seem to be working. I feel a lot better than I did earlier. Maybe they really are keeping me safe.”

Norah changed the subject, turning her attention to Jace. “You’ve been here all day. Are you hungry? I can make us something to eat.”

Jace shook his head. “No need. I’ll cook for you.”

“You? Cook?” Norah asked, her surprise evident. She had been to his house and knew there wasn’t even a hint of a home-cooked meal in his life.

Jace smirked. “You’ll see.”

Curious, Norah followed him to the kitchen. She noticed a basket of strawberries sitting on the counter—the same deep red and black variety he always brought her.

“You and your strawberries,” she teased, popping one into her mouth. “Don’t you grow anything else?”

“They’re the sweetest,” Jace replied, his tone soft. “A little sweetness can take away the bitterness.”

Norah blinked, surprised again. He even knew about the bitter taste lingering in her mouth. How could he notice something so small? It was as if he could read her mind.

While she sat nibbling strawberries, Jace busied himself in the kitchen. The clinking of pots and pans echoed in the background. His movements were meticulous, almost surgical, and for a moment, Norah felt like she was watching him perform an operation rather than cook.

She leaned against the doorway, observing him. The sight of him working reminded her of Kevin. The thought tugged at her heart, but she quickly pushed it aside. That chapter of her life was closed.

“How’s it going?” she asked.

“Almost done,” Jace replied without looking back.

“First time cooking?” she teased.

“Yes.”

“Well, who knows? Maybe you’ll discover you have a hidden talent,” she said with a grin.

When Jace finally brought the dishes to the table, Norah’s excitement faded. Her eyes widened in shock.

Laid before her were dishes of chicken hearts, chicken livers, and other internal organs. Everything was neatly arranged, as if dissected for an anatomy class.

“I left the organs intact for you,” Jace said earnestly, mistaking her hesitation for admiration.

Norah tried to suppress her unease. “Jace... this isn’t a surgical demonstration. It’s supposed to be a meal.”

His face fell slightly. “I thought you’d appreciate it.”

Norah bit her lip, trying not to laugh at his sincerity. “Do you have anything else?”

“I made potato chips too,” he said.

Relieved, Norah perked up. “Potato chips sound great! I’ve been craving those.”

Jace fetched the chips from the oven, but when he placed them on the table, they were blackened and burnt beyond recognition.

“I followed the instructions perfectly,” he muttered, visibly disheartened.

Norah couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s fine, Jace. Cooking clearly isn’t your thing, but I bet you’re a first-rate surgeon.”

A small smile tugged at his lips. “You’re not upset?”

“Why would I be? Let’s just order takeout.”

Jace’s smile grew. “Thank you for being so understanding. It’s moments like this that make me feel lucky to know you.”

“Well, I’ll make sure you see me smile more often,” Norah replied warmly. “Maybe it’ll bring some joy into your life.”

Her words lit up Jace’s eyes, filling them with a rare happiness. Even in the most ordinary moments, like sharing a failed meal, Norah had a way of making everything feel meaningful.

But as they sat together, a single drop of blood suddenly fell onto the table.

Jace stiffened. His expression darkened as he quickly wiped his hand.

“Wait!” Norah exclaimed.

She reached out to grab his hand, her concern evident.