Ch. 328: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life Chapter 328

Chapter 328

Jace’s eyes followed the sound, and he walked over to open the door. Standing there was Karina.

Karina's worried eyes locked on Jace as she asked, “How are you?”

Noticing someone behind her, Karina turned and saw Norah.

Karina was momentarily taken aback but quickly composed herself, her lips tightening into silence.

Seeing Karina triggered a wave of emotions in Norah.

When Norah first heard about her poisoning, she felt an instinctive pity for Karina. But now, all that pity had been replaced with anger and resentment.

“It’s you,” Norah said, walking over.

Karina lifted her gaze to meet Norah’s. “It’s been a while.”

“Did you poison me?” Norah demanded.

Karina’s expression shifted uncomfortably, and she remained silent.

In her heart, Karina was just as conflicted. The situation was far more complicated than anyone could understand.

But Norah wasn’t interested in complexities. Her anger flared. “Why? Why would you do this? You wanted to kill me, so why not just push me over the edge? Instead, you gave me just enough hope to live, only to burden everyone else around me!”

The weight of her own helplessness crushed Norah. The idea that her illness might cost others their safety or lives was unbearable.

“Norah, calm down,” Jace said softly, trying to ease her rising emotions.

Norah’s eyes darted between Jace and Karina.

Karina finally spoke, her voice defensive but pained. “I didn’t know the injection was poison. Archer prepared it. I was just following orders!”

“Following orders?” Norah repeated bitterly. “You make it sound so simple! Those orders could’ve cost me my life. Do you even care how many lives you destroy? I’ve never done anything to you!”

Karina struggled to find the right words. “It’s not like that... We don’t have a choice.”

“A choice?” Norah’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “You’re saying you had no choice but to poison me? Does that justify your actions? You can’t hide behind excuses forever.”

Karina remained quiet, the weight of her decisions etched on her face.

Norah’s anger wavered for a moment as she realized the futility of her questions. Blaming Karina wouldn’t change anything, and targeting those above her seemed just as pointless.

Feeling defeated, Norah slowly turned and began to leave.

Jace, worried, reached out and gently grabbed her sleeve. “Julie...”

“Let me go!” Norah snapped, pulling free. She looked up at him, her gaze icy. “You and her—you're the same. Both of you hide behind excuses, claiming you’re powerless. But that doesn’t absolve you of the harm you’ve caused. People like you will never wash away the blood on your hands!”

With that, Norah stormed out.

Jace stood frozen, her words cutting deeper than he expected.

Karina watched him silently for a moment, then said bitterly, “She knows who you really are now, and she despises you for it. No matter how much you do for her, it’ll never be enough. You and she are from completely different worlds!”

A trace of sorrow darkened Jace’s expression, but he said nothing.

“She doesn’t appreciate you,” Karina pressed, her voice growing louder. “Why waste your life on her? You’ve survived so much already. Why sacrifice everything for someone who doesn’t care?”

Jace’s gray-brown eyes met hers, and for a moment, the fire in them dimmed.

Karina grabbed his arm and pleaded, “Don’t throw your life away for her. Please.”

Jace pulled his arm free, his tone distant. “This is my choice. You don’t have to understand it.”

Karina’s voice cracked as she nearly shouted, “Is it worth it? Have you lost your mind? We fought so hard to survive, and now you’re ready to die for her? I’ve done everything I can for you—stood in front of Archer, protected you—and you just dismiss it like it means nothing!”

Jace’s shoulders slumped, his voice low. “I never asked you to do any of that. This is my burden to bear.”

“Your burden?” Karina echoed, her voice rising again. “Do you even care about yourself? Don’t you want to live?”

Jace met her gaze, his voice flat. “I’m not afraid to die.”

Karina took a step back, stunned by his apathy. “If that’s how you feel, I should’ve killed her when I had the chance!”

Hearing this, Jace’s demeanor changed instantly. His eyes sharpened with rage, and he stepped closer to Karina. “Don’t even think about it.”

Karina laughed bitterly, though tears welled in her eyes. “You’d protect her even now? Even after everything?”

Her voice cracked as she added, “I overestimated my place in your life. You’d rather die for her than live with me. What’s the point of my existence, then?”

Karina started to leave, but Jace’s hand shot out and gripped her throat.

Karina gasped for air, her wide eyes meeting his unyielding, furious gaze.

“You dare?” Jace’s voice was cold and lethal.

For a moment, Karina didn’t resist. She looked at him with a mix of despair and acceptance.

Jace released her, letting her collapse to the ground, coughing and struggling to breathe.

He looked down at her, his tone even. “You cling to me because I’m all you have left. But have you ever thought about what happens when I’m gone? Would it matter if I left a day earlier or a day later?”

Tears streamed down Karina’s face, her voice breaking as she whispered, “I just don’t want to see you die.”

Jace knelt down and gently wiped her tears away. “Do you know what I want?”

Karina shook her head, unable to speak.

“I want to live a life without regrets,” Jace said softly.

Karina clung to him, crying into his shoulder. “You call yourself ‘worry-free,’ but you’ve never been free of sorrow. You’re chasing a dream that will never come true!”

Jace smiled faintly. “That’s my choice. My life.”

Karina’s voice trembled. “I don’t want to watch you burn out.”

Jace stood, his tone firm but kind. “When this is all over, I want you to be free.”

Karina’s heart sank. “Will that day ever come? Will I even live to see it? Or will I die alone, with no one to even bury me?”