Bride To Be Not Me (Janice and Simon)

Even if it was all fake, those words still made Edwards' hand pause mid-meal. He raised his eyes and looked directly at Janice.

The other three family members noticed a shift in the atmosphere, but none of them said a word.

After a few seconds, Edward silently picked up some food and placed it on Janice's plate. His voice, usually calm and detached, softened without him realizing it. "Eat more."

Matilda, oblivious to the undercurrents in the room, clapped her hands in excitement. "Edward, your cooking is amazing!"

And she wasn't exaggerating. Edward's cooking was unexpectedly delicious.

It was proof that talented people excelled at anything they put their minds to.

After finishing a glass of wine, Matilda suddenly pulled out her phone and suggested, "Let's take a family photo!"

She turned, holding up her phone to capture everyone at the dining table. The entire family fit neatly into the frame.

Janice blinked and instinctively inched closer to Edward. Even so, the moment still felt unnatural-awkward, even.

But just before Matilda pressed the shutter, Edward suddenly reached out and grabbed Janice's hand, wrapping it securely in his palm.

The camera clicked.

"Let me see," Barbara said as she waved her hand.

Matilda passed her the phone.

"It looks great! I'm posting it on social media!"

Edward said nothing and simply continued eating.

It wasn't until after the meal that he happened to glance at Matilda's post. His

eyes lingered on the group photo for a long time before he quietly saved it to his phone.

Then, he opened his social media for the first time in ages. He uploaded the photo without adding a single caption.

Just like that, the very first post on his private account was made.

When Janice saw it, she was stunned. She turned her head and looked at the man who was making tea.

"Edward."

He glanced up. "Hm?"

She lifted her phone. "Let's take a photo together."

Edward's gaze flickered. "Give me your phone."

She handed it over.

Without hesitation, he pulled her in by the shoulder, raised the phone, and took the photo himself. The photo showed a strikingly good-looking couple. No matter how one looked at it, they seemed like a perfect match.

"Send it to me."

Janice did as she was told. She had only suggested taking a photo because their "fake relationship" would seem suspicious without any photos.

But in the next moment, she watched as Edward set their photo as his lock screen wallpaper.

"You..." Janice blinked in shock. "Aren't you afraid of people seeing it?"

"I want people to see it," Edward said, his voice steady and unwavering as he walked past her with a cup of tea in hand.

In the living room, Edward and Robert sat across from each other, drinking tea.

Janice was off in another corner, discussing artifacts with Barbara. Matilda, on the other hand, tagged along, pretending to be interested.

After a moment of silence, Robert asked first, "When are you getting married?"noveldrama

Edward narrowed his eyes slightly. "There's no rush."

He hadn't even won Janice over yet.

"No rush?" Robert took a long pause. "Perhaps I'm too old-fashioned. You're already 30, and you're not in a hurry?"

"Is 30 old?"

"It's not. But this is the perfect age for marriage. Moreover, you've already found someone you like. Shouldn't you be more anxious?"

Edward could sense his father's

suspicion creeping in. He explained calmly, Janice hasn't decided if she

was to get married yet. I can't

force her."

At the mention of Janice, Robert finally let the matter drop.

His son was exactly like him. Once he had something he wanted, he would never let go for the rest of his life.

There was no way Edward could be this composed unless there was a deeper reason. Still, his answer was convincing enough to ease Robert's growing doubts.