Chapter10
The diner was filled with the smell of cooking oil as I bussed tables.
I glanced up and saw Edward sitting in a corner booth. He smiled at me.
I avoided his gaze and continued working.
When my shift ended, he was still there, a few untouched plates in front of him.
“Join me for a bite,” he said, gesturing to the seat opposite him.
“No, thanks. I already ate.”
I declined, but my stomach growled loudly, betraying me.
He chuckled. “Don’t be shy. Come sit down.”
Unable to refuse, I sat across from him.
A hot pot of soup bubbled in front of us, the warmth chasing away the chill.
I dug in, forgetting all table manners.
“Slow down, no one’s going to steal it from you.”
Midway through my meal, I felt a tickle on my cheek.
I looked up to see Edward smiling at me, holding a grain of rice.
“Your face looked hungry,” he teased.
I blushed, looking down.
I knew he liked me. His eyes made no secret of it.
But right now, I just wanted to focus on my studies.
Everything else could wait.
Winter break arrived, and Mrs. Miller’s calls started, one after another, urging me to come home for the holidays.
They had raised me, after all. I couldn’t be completely heartless.
After much deliberation, I bought a train ticket and headed back to Millerton, laden with gifts.
As soon as I stepped inside the Miller house, I heard a shrill voice.
“Jason Miller, what do you mean?”
10:52 am P IM.
“I’m carrying your child! I’m not here to be treated like this!”
I froze. Kate, very pregnant, was yelling at Jason.
Jason’s face was dark, but he didn’t argue back, only trying to placate her.
“Kate, calm down. The doctor said you shouldn’t get upset. It’s bad for the baby.”
“I want that coat! Go buy it for me, now!”
“Kate, I’ll buy it for you next time, okay? I already spent my allowance for this month.”
Jason carefully guided Kate to a seat.
“It’s your fault you are still just a Captain, did you give your money to your ‘sister‘ instead?”
Jason’s expression changed. “Kate, don’t be ridiculous. Sandy and I are over. It’s finished.”
“Over? Do you think I’m stupid? You write to her constantly! You think I don’t know?”
“You don’t care about me at all! You only care about her!”
Kate cried, pounding on Jason’s chest.
Jason’s face was etched with impatience. “I told you, there’s nothing between us!”
Standing in the doorway, watching this scene unfold, I felt a surge of bitter amusement.
In my past life, he’d hidden his communication with Kate from me.
In this life, he was hiding his letters to me from Kate.
He wanted both, unable to commit to either.
