Ch. 510: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life Chapter 510

Chapter 510

Jace snapped himself out of his thoughts and forced himself back to reality. He wasn’t Kevin—he was Jace. Even if he couldn’t stand by Norah’s side as her lover, he could still be her friend, her brother. In this life, Jace lived for Norah.

Kevin returned to the bedroom with the medicine, only to find Norah fresh out of the shower. Her wet hair clung to her shoulders, the faint scent of roses lingering in the air. He quickly grabbed a towel and wrapped her hair, his voice gentle but urgent. “Take off your clothes a little. I’ll apply the medicine.”

“Okay,” Norah replied softly, doing as he asked.

Kevin’s hands were careful as he applied the medicine, his touch light, almost hesitant. He even blew gently on the treated area, afraid the solution might sting or irritate her wounds. But to Norah, the pain was nothing. She remembered her early days as a war correspondent, when she’d been thrown into the chaos of battlefields. Once, a steel bar from the rubble had pierced straight through her foot. She was supposed to rest for six months, but she’d returned to the frontlines in just over three. Over time, she’d grown numb to minor pains. After all, she’d faced war—how could she cry over something so small?

“Norah, I’m sorry,” Kevin’s voice broke, his eyes glistening. “I’ve left you alone all these years…” He fought back tears, afraid they’d fall onto her back. Tears were bitter, salty—he didn’t want her to feel that.

Norah’s throat tightened. She understood Kevin. If he hadn’t been held back, he would’ve been by her side all along, never giving up. She managed a small smile. “Kevin, the past is behind us. Let’s not bring it up again. What matters now is Cooper. No matter what happens with Cooper…”

She trailed off, unable to finish. Even though she’d prepared herself for the worst, saying it out loud felt impossible. Emotions churned in her chest, bitter as bile.

“I know,” Kevin said softly. “No matter what, we’re in this together.” After applying the medicine, he pulled her into a brief embrace, holding her close before letting go.

Once Kevin had showered, they headed to the lab to check on Cooper. But what they saw made Norah’s heart drop. Cooper’s face was pale, almost ghostly—a clear sign of poisoning.

Norah’s legs gave out. “How is this possible? Didn’t the horse chestnut work? It’s supposed to save him!” Her voice trembled. Was there a traitor in the Yi tribe? Was someone deliberately poisoning Cooper?

Pharaoh stepped forward, steadying her. “Don’t panic. This isn’t poisoning. It’s a normal reaction after taking horse chestnut. Give it an hour or two, and his color will return.”

Tears welled in Norah’s eyes. “Are you sure? You’re not lying to me, are you?”

“I wouldn’t lie about this,” Pharaoh said firmly. “I’m not playing games with Cooper’s life. Your brother has the Yi tribe under tight control. Since you brought Cooper here, security has been airtight. Poisoning is impossible.”

Kevin wrapped an arm around Norah’s waist. “Norah, trust your dad.”

The word “dad” hung heavy in the air. Pharaoh glanced at Kevin, surprised. Norah had never acknowledged him as her father, but Kevin just had.

For Norah, the word carried weight. In her world, her parents had loved Jack and Gwen, not Pharaoh—the man known for his ruthlessness. Yet here he was, doing everything to save Cooper. It was a truth she couldn’t ignore, even if she refused to say it out loud. Pharaoh was her father, and he was here because of that bond. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have lifted a finger, no matter who Cooper was.

“Let’s step outside and wait for the results,” Kevin suggested, guiding her toward the door. He didn’t want her staying in the lab, worrying herself sick.

But Norah shook her head. “If he’s not poisoned, then I’m staying. I’ll wait until he wakes up. I’m not leaving.”

Once Norah made up her mind, no one could change it. If she wanted to stay, Kevin would stay with her. But Pharaoh caught his eye, signaling him to step out.

Kevin gave Norah’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.”

Outside the lab, Pharaoh spoke first, his voice low and earnest. “Kevin, I need your help. I know we’ve been on opposite sides before, and I know who you are now. But for Norah’s sake, I’m willing to humble myself. She’s my only daughter, and she listens to you. If you could put in a good word for me…”

Pharaoh’s tone was uncharacteristically pleading. This wasn’t the proud leader of the Yi tribe—this was a father, desperate for his daughter’s acceptance.

“I’ll talk to her if I can,” Kevin replied calmly. “But Norah’s her own person. She thinks for herself. I can’t make her do anything she doesn’t want to.”

Pharaoh nodded, though disappointment flickered in his eyes. He understood Kevin’s point, but he wasn’t ready to give up. “I know. But if there’s any chance, no matter how small, I’ll take it.”

His voice grew hoarse, urgency creeping in. “I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve never betrayed my child. Everything I’ve done has been for her. She’s already starting to accept Baimo—that’s a step forward. But with me… she won’t even speak to me.”

Pharaoh didn’t say it outright, but Kevin could see it in his eyes. If it came down to it, Pharaoh would go to war for Norah. He’d even rally other nations to attack Country S if it meant protecting her.

Kevin, however, wasn’t interested in escalating conflicts. “I’ll handle things on my end,” he said firmly. “But you need to let go of the past. People change, and so can you. Norah’s grown—she has the strength to face the truth.”

“That’s all I can ask for,” Pharaoh replied, his voice heavy with resignation.

Two hours later, the bluish tint on Cooper’s face finally faded. Norah’s expression brightened with relief. Kevin moved to her side, ready to comfort her, but before he could speak, Cooper’s eyes fluttered open.

Seeing Kevin and Norah together, a small smile spread across Cooper’s face.

Norah leaned down, kissing his forehead. “What do you want, sweetheart? Something to eat? Or anything else?”