"I would just like to say that I was the one who said I love you first." Stuart bent down and placed a soft, feather-light kiss on her forehead.
Edie raised her head and looked into his eyes. "It doesnāt matter who said what first. Iāve been told that love is a balance. A balance between giving and taking and also between letting go and holding on. I donāt think that one of us gives more, and the other gives less," she said, trying to make him understand.
Stuart had a faint smile on his lips. "We all want to be needed, and if we feel like weāre not, we wonāt feel cherished. I donāt ever want you to think that I take you for granted. Yes, I have always cared about winning. It was bred in me, but love isnāt about winning or losing," he said, his voice soft and melodic. "In relationships, there is never really one winner and one loser; two people either win-or lose-together; that was the hardest thing in the world for me to understand until I met you truly."
In short hard sentences, he told her, and Edie never spoke nor moved and only watched him. The light in her eyes is quickening, misting, and growing tender as he talked. He had told her something of this before, but not with such emotion, such detail. She looked up through her tears at the bright face, which was now looking down at her with so much compassion. "I want you to know that I could never have gotten through any of this without you. I canāt ever see my life without you, right next to me." Her eyes locked with his, and her voice was low, vibrating. "I have to go now. Cecilās waiting for me." She placed the gauze on the nightstand and turned to leave, but Stuart grabbed her wrist.
"Canāt he sleep by himself? Iām not feeling well?" He turns again to Edie, but the tone is his voice is a little sharper. "You should take care of me?" he said, seeming unusually sad. He did all he could to persuade her to stay with him. Knowing heād disappointed her by feuding with Cecil disturbed him. Sooner or later, it wouldāve happened, but he wasnāt expecting it to be so soon.
Stuart looked more pale than usual, and his eyes quivered with an uncertain and gloomy fire. Edie looked at the expression on his face and started to giggle. "Youāre a grown man whoās pouting. We will have children one day, so this is something you need to get used to."
"I donāt want....: Stuart never finished his sentence before Edie interrupted him.
"Donāt you dare say it. I know you, and you will change your mind," she said, giving him a smile. "Itās not like itās the first time youāve ever slept alone. You were single for many years."
"But....." Again she interrupted him
"If you behave yourself, I promise there will be a reward." Then Edie bent down and kissed him on the cheek. She pulled her hand quickly from his grasp, not wanting him to retake hold of it.
He lowered his voice almost to a whisper. "So, youāre leaving?" He gently touched his wound as he looked at her.
Edie lowered her voice. "I donāt want to do this either, but I made a promise. Lie down, and Iāll go," she said helplessly.
Stuartās phone rang, startling him from his thoughts. He quickly glanced at it. The unfamiliar number on display made him frown. Then he nodded for Edie to go. "Goodnight," he said.
Edie could tell by the worried expression on his face that something was wrong. The confusion was heavy on her face as she nodded back and turned to leave the room.
Stuart waited until the door closed behind Edie. He stood up and grabbed his phone and gave it a quick swipe with his thumb. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice cold as ice.
"As a shareholder in the L. N. Group, I would like to invite you to the Brand Fonce celebration dinner. I want you to bring your lovely wife...." The man took in a deep breath and continued. "Please donāt let me down." The deep voice with a strange accent was horribly familiar.
"What are you up to, and why is it so important that the wife goes?" Stuart asked in a faint whisper, and his fist clenched at his side, his pulse racing so hard he felt sick.
"Why are you so reluctant to introduce me to your wife. Iām not up to anything, and all your accusations are making me feel uncomfortable..." William cleared his throat. "Relax! Iām only curious and who wouldnāt be. Mr. Yates, who has never let a woman near him, is now a married man. Iām concerned about the business, and if you donāt bring your wife..." he hesitates, and his voice becomes deeper. "Iāll withdraw my investment." He laughed at the braying sound affecting Stuart like fingernails on a chalkboard.
Stuartās expression turned murderous, and his eyes grew dark. "I would advise you to be careful what you say."
His voice made William tremble. He took a deep breath and focused. There would be consequences if he defied Stuart. He had to be careful about what he said to him. "Iām not trying to make you angry. Iām looking at my investment. I need the money. If you didnāt allow me to protect her, I would like to meet her at least. Our paths would cross one day, and I wouldnāt want anything to happen to her." He frowned, and a serious look came into his eyes.
There was a brief silence. Stuart knew Williamās character and knew he couldnāt be trusted. This was how the business worked. He was only trying to find a way back into the company. Stuart finally nodded his head in agreement. "Okay, Iāll let you see her."
William refused, "No!" Then he suddenly raised his voice. "I donāt want you to be there. I want to meet her alone,"
"Let me think about it," Stuart sighed. Then in his hardest, coldest voice, he said, "Never, will I allow you to be alone with my wife."
William was surprised by Stuartās answer. A little beat of curiosity pulsed through his brain as he raised his eyebrows. "Do you think thatās in your best interest?" he asked.
"I know who you are and how vindictive and deceitful you can be. Test me and see what Iām capable of. See what I wouldnāt do for her!" Stuartās voice didnāt raise a decibel, but the threat in his tone was unmistakable.