Ch. 418: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life Chapter 418

Chapter 418

"Huh?" Norah was taken aback.

Kevin glanced at her and said in an indifferent tone, "Your clothes are dirty. You probably need a bath."

Norah looked down at herself.

Back home, she made sure to bathe every day. But here, with the harsh conditions, it wasn't that easy. She had already given up on daily showers. If she could avoid it, she would.

After being buried under rubble and tossed around for so long, she certainly wasn't clean. Still, she hadn't expected Kevin to be so considerate.

She instinctively sniffed herself. "Do I smell?"

"No." Kevin's deep gaze met hers. "I just know you like to stay clean."

His words left Norah momentarily dazed.

She looked up at him. The distance between them felt vast. After all, they were officially divorced. He didn’t need to care about her anymore.

And yet, he still did.

Norah pursed her lips slightly, shifting her gaze to avoid the complicated emotions between them. "Mm."

She hesitated before saying, "Then I'll head back."

"Alright."

Norah turned and walked away. Kevin watched her until she disappeared from sight.

As he turned around, he caught sight of Levi lurking in a corner.

Kevin's expression hardened. "What are you doing there?"

Levi had just arrived and had caught part of Kevin’s conversation with Norah. He had also seen her silhouette as she left.

Sighing, Levi muttered, "Three points of resemblance is enough."

Kevin frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Levi hesitated, debating whether to speak.

The idea of a stand-in had crossed his mind more times than he could count. When someone was far away, the ache of longing often led to seeking replacements. He had thought about this scenario at least eight hundred times.

"Spit it out!" Kevin snapped impatiently.

Levi swallowed hard, still wary. "Look, I know three points of resemblance can be tempting, but she’s not her. Captain Edwards, you need to think twice before you go down a path you might regret."

Kevin’s face darkened. Without a word, he kicked Levi hard.

"Bullshit!"

Levi clutched his leg, wincing. Even though Kevin dismissed his words, Levi couldn’t shake the thought. But surely Kevin could tell the difference, right?

Seeing that Kevin had no interest in discussing it further and had already walked away, Levi turned back and glanced in the direction Norah had gone.

What was really going on here?

When Norah returned, she was met with an unexpected aroma drifting from her tent.

The scent of food.

She frowned in confusion. She had already eaten—where was this smell coming from?

Stepping inside, she saw a steaming meal on the table.

The rice in the bowl looked clean and carefully prepared, not the usual dark and unrefined grain they were used to here. The dishes were made from wild vegetables, but there was also meat—game hunted by the villagers.

By their standards, this was a feast.

"Whose food is this? Was it delivered by mistake?" she wondered aloud.

Stepping outside, she asked around.

"No idea," someone responded. "Someone must have brought it for you. There's no one else here."

Norah scanned the area but saw no one suspicious.

With no other choice, she stepped back inside.

As she did, someone hiding in the shadows let out a quiet sigh of relief.

As long as Norah accepted it, that was enough.

The person turned to leave, but Norah’s voice called out behind her. "Was it you?"

The figure stiffened. Awkward and caught off guard, she turned around slowly, her expression unreadable.

She snorted lightly. "So what if it was?"

Norah crossed her arms, studying her for a long moment. "Why are you giving me this? Weren’t you trying to kick me out just two days ago?"

Arlene hesitated before looking up at Norah. "I don’t want you starving to death. The village has been destroyed, and now everyone has to share what little food we have. You have no one here, and I don’t want our village responsible for another death."

The excuse was flimsy at best.

Norah thought back to Arlene’s petty tricks from a few days ago and the fact that she had saved Arlene’s brother.

So this was guilt.

Norah walked in, sat down, and glanced at the food. "There’s meat. You really went all out."

"Who said that?!" Arlene huffed. "It’s just part of the communal meal. I didn’t give you any special treatment."

She was still a young girl, unable to hide her emotions behind a tough facade.

Norah didn’t call her out on it. Instead, she picked up her chopsticks and took a bite.

Arlene watched with anticipation. "Well?"

Norah nodded. "Not bad."

Arlene’s face lit up with satisfaction. "Of course! It’s just as good as your cooking!"

Norah raised an eyebrow. "Have you eaten yet?"

Arlene rubbed her stomach. She had been so focused on making this meal that she had forgotten to eat.

The question suddenly made her realize how hungry she was.

Norah noticed and pushed the bowl toward her. "Here, you eat."

Arlene frowned. "What about you?"

"I’m cutting back on rice. Just having some vegetables."

Arlene eyed her skeptically. "You think you need to lose weight? What hope does that leave for the rest of us?"

"Gotta stay in shape," Norah said casually. "Go on, eat. Wasting food in times like this is a crime."

Truthfully, Arlene wanted to eat with Norah.

"Of course I know that! Every grain is precious!" Arlene huffed, before eagerly digging in.

"Mmm! This meat is amazing!" she said happily, savoring the taste.

In their remote village, meat was a rare luxury, only available when they managed to hunt wild boars in the mountains.

Norah watched her like she was a little kid. "Then eat up."

Arlene nodded enthusiastically.

Halfway through, she suddenly paused, put her bowl down, and muttered, "Thank you for saving my brother."

Norah waved it off. "Ahsan already thanked me. No need for formalities."

"It’s different," Arlene said seriously. "I won’t forget what you did."

Seeing Norah finish eating, Arlene quickly scarfed down her last few bites. "I’m full."

Then, without another word, she gathered up the dishes and walked out.

"Be careful—it’s dark outside," Norah reminded her.

"I know. I have to go up the mountain tomorrow to collect herbs."

The village had been destroyed, and most of their medicinal supplies were gone. They needed to gather new ones to make a living.

Without them, they wouldn’t even have food to survive.

Meanwhile, a young Yi woman approached. She had wheat-colored skin, bold features, a high nose bridge, and a striking figure.

She walked forward confidently but was stopped at the entrance.

"You can’t go in."

She smiled softly. "I’m here to see Captain Edwards."

"He’s resting. Come back tomorrow."

She hesitated. "Then when can I see him?"

"I don’t know."

The woman’s excitement dimmed.