"I promised our grandpa that I would take good care of you all the time. But I broke my words. I failed. I should apologize to him," Stuart looked at Edie gently. He held her into his arms and said, "I promise, from now on, I would never throw you into any danger."
"Okay, I believe you."
Edie hugged his arms tightly as if his arms could warm her.
The graveyard looked isolated. Stuart took a bunch of lilies and walked to that gray graveyard. He looked so guilty.
"Grandpa, I failed to keep my words. I hurt Edie. But, please believe me, from now on, I would protect her with my life."
Edie also knelt down, pressing her face to that cold grave monument. She felt she was leaning against her grandpaās knees.
"Grandpa, you told me Stuart was reliable. You are wrong. He is an asshole. He kicked me out of the room. But heās already apologized. I also forgave him. I would live with him and your grandson. I would take good care of myself. Grandpa, donāt worry about me. Live a good life in heaven. We miss you."
The wind was so cold. The grave became more deserted.
Stuart was worried that Edie might get a cold. He lifted her up and held her into his arms.
Edie held his hands tightly, to prove to her grandpa that she was really happy now. And she would be happy forever, with Stuart.
If her grandpa could see this in heaven, he would be happy.
After praying, they walked away.
They didnāt realize there was a man following them behind...
***
As time passed away, Edie became happier and happier.
This period might be her happiest time. She got her love back. She would become a mother soon. She looked so happy. She couldnāt even hide it.
Edieās belly swelled slowly. After two weeks, the babyās important organs formed. Stuart frowned every day. He was so worried.
On the night before the checkup, Stuart touched Edieās belly. He looked like he was talking to the baby. But his words sounded a little annoying.
"Youād better be a girl. If you are a boy, donāt blame your daddy."
"Baby girl, you must grow up and listen to your motherās words. Donāt make your mommy angry."
"Donāt be a boy, please. "
"Edie...if it is a boy, give him to others, okay,"
"..."Edie didnāt know what to say. She knocked on his head, "I would raise it up, no matter if it is a girl or girl. It has nothing to do with you."
Then, she rolled the quilt, falling into sleep. Stuart was amused.
Soon, Edie fell into sleep. But she could still hear some voice.
In the darkness, she opened her eyes slowly. The man behind her was not sleeping. His hands were still covering on her belly. He kept talking.
"If you are a girl, I would protect you both. If you are a boy, we should protect your mother together."
"Be a good boy, donāt be naughty. If you torture your mommy in her belly, I will torture you when you are born."
"If you are really a boy, listen carefully and remember, your mother is my wife. You could never take her away from me."
Edie became sober. When hearing these words, Edie didnāt know whether she should be angry or laugh out. Deep in her heart, she was touched. She was moved deeply.
Stuart... really loved her deeply.
She rolled her body and kissed him on his face, "Our baby need to sleep now. Stop talking to it. It might feel scary to you."
"Have I woken you up?"
Stuartās voice turned gentle when hearing Edieās voice. He touched her forehead with his big hands and stared at her bright eyes in the darkness.
She shook her head.
"How long would we stay in A. Should we go back?" Edie asked him.
Though they had servants in the flat, no one disturbed them these days. Stuart didnāt have to work these days. She didnāt have to do scenes these days. They were so relaxing. Edie shopped every day with Stuart. Stuart took responsibility for taking her purse and paying for her.
Edie thought life was so beautiful these days, as life in paradise.
"Donāt you like life now?" he asked her in a soft voice and kissed her on her forehead.
She shook the head, "No. I love it. But it is so good that I started worrying about losing it."
"Donāt worry. You wonāt lose it. I would spare no effort to give you the life you love. We would live together happily forever."
"Okay, we would live together happily forever."
She repeated his words. She felt so warm. Even the air she absorbed into the lung was sweet.
In the darkness, after falling into silence for a few seconds, Stuart started talking,
"Edie, do you believe I am a good guy?"
He asked such a strange question so suddenly that Edie froze for a moment. She blinked her eyes in the darkness and stared at him confusingly.
What did he mean?
"What do you define āgood guyā?"
"It means I am not perfect. I might be a brutal guy. I can destroy others easily. If....if I become such kind of man, would you still love me?"
He asked her in a deep hoarse and slow voice. He emphasized every word.
She felt her heart missed one beat. Sheās been so happy that she almost forgot those things that made her feel anxious.
This time, she was really anxious and frightened.
She raised the corner of her mouth and made a hollow smile, "Why do you ask me this question so suddenly? You are not that kind of man. Donāt make this assumption. It is too late. We should sleep now."
Stuart smiled bitterly in the darkness. But he didnāt make her detect.
Was I not that kind of man?
Actually, he was, he always was that kind of man.
When the girl in his arms fell into a deep sleep, he started talking in a gentle voice, "I would try my best to be a good guy in front of you. I wonāt...I wonāt let you down."
The next day, when Edie got up, Stuart already left.
He must be preparing breakfast for her downstairs.
She took a shower and then walked downstairs. She heard he was calling someone in the kitchen.
"I would handle this. If anyone stops you, you can handle it yourself. Scatter those accounts, with different excuses...."
"Stuart, who are you calling?" Edie asked him out of the kitchen.
Stuartās eyes turned alerted immediately. He hangs up the phone immediately and put the phone into the pocket.
"Nobody, it is Ivan," he answered and walked out with the breakfast, "Bacon eggs and buttery buns."
Edie didnāt ask him more. After all, she knew nothing about his business.
At the moment, Stuartās phone rang again. It was a text from William.
"Quite impressive speed. I like your high efficiency. I look forward to a symbiotic relationship with L.N.
Symbiotic relationship...
This was the cost that Stuart should pay.
His face remained peaceful. He deleted the text as if nothing ever happened.