Chapter 143 Audrey

Edwin stepped closer to me, his eyes darting nervously over his shoulder. I couldn't decide whether I was about to pass out, run to him, or launch myself over the balcony.

"Fiona is in the restroom, he said in a low, urgent voice. "We only have a moment. Have you... have your mind?"

made up your

His gaze softened as he looked at me, a small smile playing on his lips. He added, "You look beautiful tonight, by the way. That dress... did you make it yourself?"

I nodded, smoothing down the fabric of my emerald green gown. "I did. Thank you."

His throat bobbed, those gray eyes flicking up my dress before landing on me again. My heart clenched just at the sight of him, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. This was it. I had to do it now, before I lost my nerve.

"Edwin, I..." I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "My answer is no. I won't be your girlfriend."

His face fell, confusion and hurt flashing across his features. His eyes shifted from a stormy gray to a pale yellow glow, and the sight made my stomach ache even more..

"But... why? I thought... I thought you felt the same way I did," he said softly. "I thought you"

"I love you," I blurted out. Even though my voice was barely above a whisper, the words felt heavy, beautiful, heartwrenching. I quickly looked away from Edwin's shocked expression.

“I'm just a human,” I managed, wrapping my arms around myself. “I'll never be seen as anything more than a plaything. You should find your fated mate."

Edwin's eyes flashed, the yellow glow intensifying. He took a step forward, reaching for me. I didn't pull back, not right away: I wanted to feel his fingers brush my skin one last time.

"Audrey, no. How could you think that? I love you, and I would never view you as a plaything. If I somehow found my fated mate, I would easily sever the bond without a second thought because I just want you. Only you."

I opened my mouth to argue, but Edwin suddenly tensed, his head turning slightly. His nostrils flared, and I knew he was catching a scent I couldn't detect.

He turned back to me, and there was an urgency in his eyes that made my heart stop. "Audrey, please be careful tonight Stay away from Fiona

into my voice. My fingers tightened around

just by talking to you for these two minutes," Edwin said, his voice strained the ran a hand through his hair, messing up the carefully styled swoop. "But I couldn't resist. Your perfume tonight has been... intoxicating. It's been drawing me closer to you all night.

have the strength nor the time to tell Edwin that I felt the same

one last pleading look, he slipped away, disappearing into the crowd before Fiona could spot us together. I

Chapter 143

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sheer drop

Fiona up close. I tried to leave at one point, but Claudia caught me before I reached the door, smiling and still wearing

for dinner. Blissfully, my seat was toward the back, far from Edwin

clinking of cutlery and soft murmur of conversation filled the air. The food smelled delicious, but I picked at my plate, my

up, her glass raised high. Her platinum hair caught the light, shimmering like spun gold. Her smile was wide as she began to speak, and for

always been my rock, my inspiration. I wouldn't be who I am today without you. Happy birthday, Mom. I love

Claudia a box then, and I could see the designer logo even from where I sat.

eyes flicked to me then, mocking me. I stared down at my

my biological mother, to have heard her voice, felt her embrace. I missed my adoptive mother fiercely in that moment, too- the amazing woman who had been

I could spoil

next had me snapping

to make." She paused for effect, her eyes seeming to slide towards me. I felt pinned by her

and

face, my hands shaking as I set down my glass. The room seemed to spin around me, the sounds becoming m***d and distant. Across the room,

to the people at my table, I stood up and made

else was. I stepped out into the cool night air, gripping the railing as I tried to steady my breathing. The metal was cold

as I wrapped

the words rang hollow, even to my own

their engagement had been this... shapeless thing. This enigma that

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