Wiping Away Traces of You

Cooper explained, "Jessica, don't blame Edgar. It's my fault.

"I thought it was so late that Edgar would already be asleep, so I didn't bother to put on a shirt. But as soon as I opened the door, I ran into him. He saw the marks on me and started calling me shameless. He said someone like me doesn't deserve to be with you."

Just like that, Cooper painted Edgar as a twisted man who lurked outside Jessica's door late at night, eavesdropping out of jealousy and violently attacking her fiancé.

"He's lying! I didn't say any of that!" Edgar's eyes turned red at the corners as he protested. "He deliberately provoked me by bringing up my parents and… and calling my mom deranged!"

When Edgar was in elementary school, his classmates had bullied him because of his mother's story. They'd formed a circle around him, throwing trash at him while chanting, "Crazy kid with a crazy mom."

Jessica had been the one to step in and resolve the situation.

Surely, she knew he wouldn't lie about something like this, as that incident had traumatized him.

"Edgar, what are you talking about?" Cooper put on a confused expression. "What happened to your parents? All I know is that they passed away when you were very young. I don't know anything else."

Jessica gently comforted Cooper before turning to Edgar with a stern look. Disappointment was written across her face as she said, "Edgar, I never expected you to stoop so low just to slander Cooper! He knows nothing about your past. I never told him about it."

"He could've looked it up online," Edgar retorted, still upset. "It was all over the internet—"

"Enough!" Jessica cut him off sharply. "Do you think everyone is as malicious and petty as you? Always twisting the truth to stir up trouble?"

Edgar froze.

Malicious. Petty. Twisting the truth.

So this was how Jessica saw him.

At that moment, any words of defense felt meaningless.

"Apologize to Cooper immediately," Jessica commanded coldly.

Edgar stayed quiet. He refused to apologize because he did nothing wrong. Cooper was the one who should apologize!

"Looks like I've spoiled you for too long," Jessica added. "But not anymore. From today onward, you're not allowed to leave your room. Stay inside and reflect on your actions. When you've thought it through and are ready to apologize, you can come out."

For as long as Edgar could remember, Jessica had always been the one to defend him. But this time, she had chosen to defend another man.

Back in his room, Edgar curled up on his bed. Even so, he felt freezing cold.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a message from Harry.

"Mr. Lawrie, your physical examination results are out. Based on our research, your optimal cryopreservation window is between December 7 and 21. Please select a date at your convenience."

December was the next month.

Edgar's chest ached at the thought. He stared into the darkness for a long time before his trembling hands finally typed out his chosen date—December 12.

Not only was December 12 his birthday, but it was also Jessica and Cooper's wedding day.

There was no need for him to attend their wedding since Jessica was already fed up with him. His presence would only ruin their day.

Thus, Edgar decided he would leave quietly without bothering anyone.