Chapter 323
Summer’s POV
Edward stepped fully into the room, his usual confidence seemingly diminished in her presence. There was an odd reverence in the way he approached her–like a man meeting royalty.
“Thank you” he began.
“Let’s cut to the chase,” Meave said, straightening in her chair. “You early went to great lengths to arrange this meeting, event convincing Brandon to participate in your little scheme.” Her eyes briefly flicked to me, not accusatory but knowing. This must be incredibly important to you. So tell me, what is it that brings you here today?”
Edward didn’t hesitate. “Grace.”
The single word hung in the air like a grenade with its pin pulled. Meave’s face remained impressively neutral, but I caught the slight tremor in her hand as she reached for her teacup.
“I assumed as much,” she responded. “It’s been what, three years since the divorce? I’m not sure what you expect me to-
“We never divorced,” Edward interrupted, his voice breaking slightly.
I blinked in surprise, catching Brandon’s equally startled expression from across the room.
“What did you say?” Meave asked, setting down her cup with a sharp clink.
Edward leaned forward, his eyes intense. “Grace and I were never divorced. Our marriage is still legally binding.”
Meave stared at him, clearly processing this revelation. “That’s… unexpected. But a three–year separation is grounds for divorce in most states. Why hold onto a legal technicality when the relationship is clearly over?”
“Because it’s not over,” Edward insisted, a hint of desperation creeping into his usually controlled voice. “Not for me.”
Meave’s expression hardened. “If Grace chose to leave, that means she wanted out. If she’s moved on, why can’t you?”
“How?” Edward asked, the word coming out raw and anguished. “How could I possibly move on from Grace?”
The naked emotion in his voice startled me. I’d always seen Edward as Brandon’s coolly calculated friend–brilliant and ambitious, but emotionally distant. This vulnerability was completely unexpected.
Meave seemed unmoved. “I’m sorry, Mr. Lee, but whatever you came to ask of me today, if it involves Grace, my answer is no. I won’t
help you.”
Brandon cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “Summer and I need to check on something with Scarlett. ve’ll give you two some privacy.”
His eyes met mine, signaling me to follow his lead. As we headed for the door, I caught the warning glance he shot Edward–a clear message to behave himself.
“Do you think leaving them alone is a good idea?” I whispered once we were in the hallway.
Brandon’s hand settled reassuringly at the small of my back. “Edward won’t cross any lines. And they both need to speak freely without an audience.”
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Chapter 323
When we returned nearly thirty minutes later, Edward was gone. Meave sat alone, staring contemplatively into her teacup, the steam rising in delicate spiral
‘He left? Brandon asked, thoug it was obvious.
Meave nodded, not looking up. “He did.”
I settled back into my seat across from her. “Are you okay?”
“He still loves her,” Meave said softly, as if speaking to herself rather than answering my question. “After all this time, after everything… he’s still waiting for her.”
Brandon took the seat Edward had vacated. “What exactly did he say to you?”
“He explained that there was a misunderstanding three years ago,” Meave replied. “He admitted he wasn’t there when Grace needed him most, but insisted it wasn’t because he didn’t care.” She sighed. “He’s been searching for her without success, despite all his resources. He wanted my help to find her.”
“And your response?” Brandon’pressed.
“I asked if he’d considered that Grace might not want to be found,” Meave said. “That perhaps the reason he couldn’t locate her was because she didn’t want him to.”
I winced at the harshness of the question, imagining how Edward must have felt hearing it.
“I told him to let her go,” Meave continued. “That if he’d managed without her for three years, clearly his life could continue without
her in it.”
“Harsh,” I murmured.
“But honest,” Brandon countered. “What was his reaction?”
Meave’s expression softened slightly. “He said something that caught me off guard. He said, ‘I never thought she wouldn’t want me She paused, her eyes distant with memory. “There was such raw disbelief in his voice. Like the possibility had never even occurred to him until that moment.”
“And then?” Brandon prompted.
“He said he’d keep waiting for her. That there was no one else in his life, and never would be.” Meave set down her cup. “His exact words were, ‘Only her, because after waiting for her, I can never wait for anyone else.“”
I felt my chest tighten at the sentiment. Despite everything I knew about Edward–the cold businessman, the ruthless competitor in that moment, I couldn’t help but see him as simply a man who had lost the woman he loved.
“Meave, Brandon said carefully, “it’s not just Edward looking for Grade. I’ve been searching too,”
Her head snapped up in surprise. You have?”
“Think about it,” Brandon continued. “Between Edward’s resources and mine, we should have been able to locate her within days, let alone years. Doesn’t it strike you as odd that we haven’t?”
Understanding dawned in Meave’s eyes. “Someone’s hiding her?”
“Or preventing you from finding her,” I suggested. “Could someone be intercepting your communications?”
Brandon’s expression darkened. “The Lee family’s internal dynamics are more complicated than you might imagine. Edward’s uncle,
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Chapter 323
Saul Pena, is returning to New York.”
Meave paled visibly. “You think Grace is in danger?”
“I think,” Brandon said carefully, “that those three ‘accidents‘ Grace experienced three years ago–all while Edward was conveniently absent–might not have been accidents at all.”
“Oh God,” Meave whispered, a hand fluttering to her throat. “You believe someone targeted her then, and might still be watching her
now?”
Brandon nodded gravely. “Grace is Edward’s greatest vulnerability. As long as he cares for her, she remains a potential target for anyone wishing to control or harm him.”
“Are you suggesting she should be with Edward for protection?” Mea asked, her voice strained.
“Grace faces danger regardless of where she is,” Brandon replied. “At least with Edward, she’d have someone willing to do anything to keep her safe.”
Tears gathered in Meave’s eyes. “Do you think I don’t want my daughter back? That I don’t miss her every single day?” She shook her head. “But if being here makes her unhappy, I’d rather she stay away and find peace elsewhere.”
“Just… consider what I’ve said,” Brandon urged. “Think about what Edward told you.”
Meave wiped away a stray tear. “I need time to process all this. To think about what’s best for Grace.”
“Of course,” I said, reaching across to squeeze her hand. “Take all the time you need.”
“I should tell you though,” Meave added, looking up at Brandon, “I truly don’t have any way to contact Grace. She calls me sometimes from blocked numbers, and I’ve respected her wish for distance. Even if I wanted to help Edward, I couldn’t lead him to
her.”
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