All day on campus, Edward could not calm down thinking about his wife who had been acting strangely since yesterday. In fact, even after returning from campus, he did not go straight to his room. Instead, he put his lecture bag in the temporary living room. Edward needed time to organize his heart.
How could he not? Dali who was usually chatty, Dali who was usually violent, and Dali who was usually a lot of behavior somehow became quiet last night. Edward was restless because he had to guess his own mistakes until Dali was reluctant to criticize him openly.
"Hmm. The marriage contract period is only 3 months away but I can't confirm whether she loves me or not. Especially her attitude yesterday, it seems like she's not in the mood anymore. Shall I invite you to a candle light dinner at home?"
Edward muttered to himself. Throughout the day, he became uneasy thinking about his wife's behavior which suddenly became colder than usual. In fact, Edward was determined to make Dali fall in love within a year. If it's still like this, isn't it a bit worrying?
Edward decided to keep cooking as he had planned. This time, all the dishes were luxurious dishes that Edward often learned while studying in the past. So, you could say that the menu this time was equivalent to the menu in a five-star hotel. The difference was that there might not be as many dishes as in the hotel. Only one full table.
"Okay, that means my cooking agenda this time is a lot. So, I have to utilize my time as efficiently as possible," she thought.
He didn't have much time to cook until Dali came home. So, Edward had to cook fast and agile to finish quickly.
One course, two courses, three courses. Gradually, the table began to fill up with food, drinks and fancy snacks. Edward quickly picked up the candles and flowers as the final touches in this romantic dinner.
However, it was now almost 7 o'clock, but Dali had not shown up at all. Was Dali working late? But why not send her a message?
[Evening, Miss. When are you home? Is you working late?] Edward asked.
The message was only one tick, a sign that her internet quota was inactive. Edward tried to make a cell call. However, the first attempt failed. Unfortunately, it continued to fail for the next 5 times. If so, Dali's cell phone was probably running out of battery.
Edward tried to think of other alternatives. Perhaps, Dali went back to Mama Lisa's house? It might be worth contacting Niel to make sure. If it was true, Edward would catch up with his wife immediately.
"Hello, Niel. Where are you?"
"Uh, sister-in-law. Taking care of Zee's shop, sis," Niel replied casually.
Hmm. To be honest, initially when she found out that Niel, who was none other than her sister-in-law, was her brother's lover, she was very shocked. The reason was, he had always only known that his brother was hurt by a man to the point of exiling himself abroad. Edward did not think that the man who was considered to be hurting was none other than the man he always contacted to ask how Dali was doing before marriage.
If he had known that Niel was the cause of his brother's misunderstanding and heartache, Edward would have tried to help them clear up the misunderstanding. Unfortunately, both sides were unwilling to open up to each other, so they could only hurt each other.
Now, seeing his brother completely smiling after returning to Niel again, Edward could not be angry. Edward was only annoyed at Niel for being too surprised. Gradually, he was even happy that his sister-in-law was really able to make his brother happy. Yes, although he himself did not know whether he should refer to Niel as brother or sister. Probably still a younger brother. Given that Niel was still younger than him. And now, Niel and Zee were even building a business together.
"Oh. When do you go home?"
Edward could only make small talk as he was quite worried about what he was about to ask.
"Probably soon. What's wrong, Brother-in-Law?" Niel asked curiously.
"I ask you, when you get home later, please check whether my wife is staying overnight or not. But don't ask Mama directly."
Edward was really worried that if his mother or father-in-law knew immediately that Edward was looking for Dali, he could be labeled as a husband who could not take care of his wife later. So, Edward really hoped that Niel would be able to cooperate as usual.
Hearing his brother-in-law's suspicious request, Niel naturally asked on the other side. "He's not home yet, is he?"
"Yes, that's so. Maybe he was staying at mom's house but didn't get permission. Please let me know."
"Yes, Sister-in-Law. See you soon."
Edward felt somewhat relieved now. However, he still wouldn't feel at ease until he saw Dali coming home and bothering him again. Honestly, Edward would rather be bothered by Dali than be silenced like yesterday. Because as he remembered, if Dali was angry, complaining, or fussy it would be easier to persuade and just ask to be spoiled. But if he kept quiet like yesterday, what could Edward do?
"Hmm, I'll take a shower first."
Edward decided to clean his body first. Three hours of non-stop cooking made his whole body sweat a lot from dealing with the fire non-stop.
Edward put the bag into the study cabinet. He was also about to take the best change of clothes to welcome Dali. However, just as he was about to head to the bathroom, there was a folded paper covered with moisturizer. Edward began to wonder about who left this letter. Was it Dali? If so, did Dali manage to get home ahead of her?
[Edward] Hi, Ward.
Thank you for accepting me and taking care of me for the past 9 months. You're a good man. Thank you for coloring my past days. Your job is done. Please move on with your life and pursue your happiness. Let's meet in 3 months at the divorce court.
-Dali-]
Edward's eyes widened as he read the letter from Dali. What the hell is this? Dali left? Why would Dali leave after they seemed to love each other? Did Dali not really love him? So, why did they have to meet in three months at the divorce court?
No! Edward didn't want to. Edward had to find Dali before the marriage contract expired. Edward's eyes felt hot and his body became a bit unsteady. Edward was so confused that he let his limp body fall to the floor and his body hit the chair.
"Doctor's certificate?"
Edward read the brown envelope until he stuttered. Don't tell me that Dali was deliberately avoiding him because he had a terminal illness. So, because she was reluctant to trouble herself, Dali was willing to go first like in most movies.
Ah, no! Edward wouldn't let Dali go just because of that. Edward's heart had been tied to Dali for a long time. So, with trembling hands and a pounding heart, Edward took out a piece of brown paper from inside his container.
Edward read all the writing carefully. However, the title of the letter instantly made Edward wide-eyed. There was a doctor's statement followed by a discussion about Dali being pregnant? Wait, Dali was really pregnant? She was even two weeks along. But why did Dali leave?
Edward's head was spinning. He quickly grabbed his cell phone and dialed Dali's number again. Damn! Again, no answer. This was already the 11th call he had made to Dali, but it seemed like the cell phone was out of battery or deliberately turned off. So, don't expect Edward to be able to track Dali's location.
Ting!
A message from Niel came in. [Sis, Dali isn't at mom's house. He still hasn't come home yet?]
Argh! Edward instantly ruffled his hair in frustration. Edward no longer knew why Dali was so desperate to leave even though he knew he was pregnant like this.