Edward was lying in a soft bed, a young woman he'd met at the bar sleeping beside him.
Still, his mind wasn't on her—he was waiting for Mariely to call.
But all day, she hadn't made a sound.
He tried calling her number. It rang, but she never picked up.
He didn't care if she was with another man right now—he would just use that as another excuse to ruin her image with her family.
That woman… She really knows how to get under my skin.
He muttered the thought to himself, sitting up while the woman beside him remained asleep. He dressed quickly. Today, he was going to look for Faith—see if she had managed to get her hands on any money he could take.
Maybe she has cash in her savings account now… worth checking.
He grabbed his phone but decided to check it later. First, he drove home.
When he arrived, he went straight to his room and flopped onto the bed. He opened his phone and tried to log into her account.
Wrong password.
He frowned and tried again. Wrong. Third time—still wrong.
That woman… did she change her password on purpose?
If she did, that meant there was money in there.
He called her again. Still no answer. Irritation was building in his chest.
"Oh, Faith… don't you dare test my patience," he growled to himself, dialing her number over and over. "If you keep being stubborn, I don't know what I'll do to you, woman."
Then an idea came to him—call her brother's number.
"You forced me, Faith… you forced me," he whispered under his breath as the line rang.
A woman answered. "Hello, Edward?"
He knew that voice—Nadia, Nathan's wife.
He'd long harbored desire for her, with her beauty and perfect figure, but he held back—she was always around her husband.
"Hello, has Ely come home yet?" he asked.
"Didn't you see her today?" she replied, curious.
He was about to answer when Nathan's voice came faintly in the background.
Damn, I wanted to talk to Nadia longer.
"Edward, why'd you call?" Nathan's voice now came through.
"Oh, just asking if Faith's home. I'm… worried about her. She's not answering my calls," Edward said, feigning concern.
"I see. So you still haven't found my sister. I'll call our parents to check if she's home. I'll update you by text," Nathan replied.
Edward nodded even though Nathan couldn't see. "Thank you."
The call ended.
Damn… I really want to have that woman, Edward thought. Even if she's married, she's perfect. I'm a sinner? So what? I've broken a family before—maybe Nadia will be my next.
A message from Nathan arrived—Faith had gone home but was sent to the market.
Hmm… maybe I'll surprise her.
He decided to buy her flowers so anyone who saw him could praise him for being "thoughtful." He smirked at the idea.
Money was running low—most of what he'd wrung out of her was gone on gambling, booze, and women. He needed more. He fixed himself up to look presentable, bought flowers, and headed to where he knew Mariely would be.
He spotted her right away. His lips curled into a grin. But before he got out of the car, he noticed a man beside her—a stranger.
He frowned, studying the man. He didn't feel jealous. In fact, he could use this.
He stepped out of the car.
"F—Faith," he called, voice gravelly.
Mariely looked startled. Her companion glanced at her.
"E—Edward," she said.
"Are you cheating on me? I gave you everything, didn't I?" Edward demanded.
The man looked at Mariely meaningfully. Edward wanted to laugh but kept his cool.
The man smiled at him. "Do you know him?" he asked Mariely.
"Yeah, she's my girlfriend. Why are you with her?" Edward replied.
"Oh, I see… your girlfriend. By the way, I'm the man who was with her yesterday—the one who heard you calling her useless," the stranger said.
Edward froze for a second, then exhaled.
"Are you sure you want to be with that woman?" he sneered.
"Whoa… Are you an actor or something? You changed personalities in one second," the man said with amusement.
Edward eyed him—tall, fit, model-like build. He chuckled mockingly.
"I'm sorry, Faith… Do you really think a man like him would go for you?"
"Oh, are you jealous?" the man teased.
"Jealous? Of that useless woman—plain and far from beautiful? Damn, she's not even my type. Open your eyes, man."
"Really? Then why are you here? To collect money? You threatened her, didn't you?" the man pressed.
"Yeah, you don't know her brother—he trusts me. And I'm her first boyfriend. She'll come back to me."
The man burst out laughing, his grin taunting.
"Why are you laughing like that? Are you insane?" Edward snapped.
"Sorry… You're just too funny," the man replied, still grinning.
"Are you insulting me?" Edward asked.
"Oh no… But if that's how you want to take it, fine."
"Mariely, let's go," the man said, tapping her arm.
She nodded and moved to leave.
"Hey, woman—you know what'll happen if you don't stick to our deal, right? And you—don't you want to keep her safe?" Edward challenged.
The man turned back. "What exactly can you do? Why are you bothering her?"
"I can ruin her life. I need money—she'll pay you back right away."
"How much?"
Edward smirked. "One hundred thousand. Can you handle that?"
"Sure. That's pocket change," the man said coolly.
"Edward, you're here," a voice cut in.
Edward turned—it was Nathan.
"N—Nathan," he stammered.
"Mariely," Nathan called.
"B—brother," she replied softly.
"What's the meaning of this?" Nathan asked, looking between them.
Edward saw his chance. "No, I don't need your money. Just give Mariely back to me."
Nathan's gaze sharpened.
"Mariely, I thought you were meeting Edward?"
"B—brother, please, believe me—it's not like that," she pleaded.
"I gave you everything to make you happy. What's missing? Am I not enough? I thought you were a good woman, but you've just grown tired of me," Nathan said bitterly.
Mariely looked shaken. "It's not like that, brother."
"Who is he, Faith?" Edward jumped in, playing his part.
"Who am I?" the stranger asked mockingly. "Damn, Nathan… You didn't tell him?"
Edward frowned. Nathan knew this guy?
"It's been a while, Frank," Nathan said to the man.
"Yeah. Nice to see you again, Nathan," Frank replied.
"You know each other?" Edward asked, realizing the tide was turning against him.
"Oh, didn't my sister tell you?" Nathan said coldly. "This is her ex-boyfriend… and my classmate."
Edward turned to Mariely. Ex-boyfriend? That woman has an ex?
"So that's why you came back to him?" Edward laughed bitterly.
"Before that… I have something to ask you," Nathan said, voice hard.
Edward straightened. "S—Sure, I'll answer. But if I do, will you let Mariely come back to me? She's not happy—she's just forcing herself."
"That nerve…" Frank muttered with a smirk.
"Better answer him honestly," Frank warned. "He hates liars."
"Frank," Nathan said sharply.
"Yeah, whatever," Frank replied.
Nathan pulled out his phone and played a video. Edward's blood ran cold—on the screen was him, striking Mariely.
He tried to stop the playback.
"Finish it," Nathan ordered.
Edward locked eyes with him but watched until the end, cold sweat breaking out across his skin.
"Is it true you abused my sister?" Nathan asked, his voice like steel.
Edward couldn't answer. He swallowed hard, suddenly feeling the room close in.