”I appreciated the value and lessons we were thought as children to be fearless, courageous and take whatever we wanted.

I don’t know if your father taught you but my father also taught me that there was a thin line between courage and stupidity.”

”I took care of a problem so we can be together darling, do not call me stupid.” Alexa said, venom in her voice.

”The only problem here is you. And I don’t mind getting rid of my problems”

Alexa began to laugh, her body shaking and her head thrown back. She stopped and smiled at Edward.

”You’re not going to kill me love, that is just going to start an unnecessary war.”

”I think your father would be glad to be rid of you.”

Alexa hissed and snared, she looked like the witch that she was without all the make-up and pretty smile.

”I love her, maybe when a bullet is in your brain those words can sink in.”

”You must be very stupid then if you think I would come unprepared to this saloon.”

Glass broke and smoke filled the entire room as soon as she said that. Edward began to cough and his eyes watered from whatever gas they had thrown inside the room. He stood up from his chair and looked around but couldn’t find Alexa.

”Till we meet again, my love.” Her voice excited throughout the room.

”Bloody bitch! Don’t let her get away.” Edward yelled through his coughing fits.

But it was too late, Alexa was already gone and all his men were choking from the gas. Someone grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him out of the building and into fresh air.

His lungs sucked in the clear air, trying to dispel the remaining gas that was still choking him. His anger was ten gold now, Edward was not going to stop looking for Alexa.

Unfortunately, after that day, she went to hide in her father’s organization to protect herself. They both knew that no matter how angry Edward was, killing Alexa on Yang soil was going to start an even bigger war than killing her on neutral grounds.

Also, Edward respected Mr. Yang enough to back off his hunt for Alexa; instead he filled his time with looking after Amy. She had started healing and was even taking but by bit but not to him, never to him.

He would walk in on her and Gu Zhou chatting but she would immediately lock up when she saw him.

No matter how much he tried, he couldn’t get her to speak to him and he couldn’t blame her. He wouldn’t blame her; she was in this state because of him.

Finally, when she was strong enough to start doing things for herself, Amy insisted that she wanted to be free from Edward’s company.

Of course, he was not going to let her out of his sight; she had almost been killed and was barely recovered.

Also, Edward loved having her in his house and in his bed, he was not going to allow her to just walk out into the world, open and vulnerable to more attacks.

”Please Edward, let us leave.” Pleaded Amy.

”No. You don’t even have anywhere to go; you can’t go back to your house.”

”Thank God it’s under insurance, your company is getting me a new one. Stop making excuses Edward, I am tired of them.”

Edward sighed. He couldn’t believe this was happening.

”I love you Amy, that’s —”

”I don’t need you to love me Edward, I don’t want you to love me. That is what got me here in the first place.” Amy yelled, well close to it.

She hadn’t fully gotten to that part yet in her recovery.

”I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Alexa.”

”You don’t tell me a lot of things Edward and I feel a fool just allowing you to lead me on. I can’t keep doing this with you, I just can’t.”

”What are you saying?”

Amy sobbed.

”I’m saying we’re done Edward; I am leaving your house and your life.”

”No, baby. Anything but that, please anything but that. I need you.”

”And I don’t need you.”

Amy dropped the shirt she had been folding and walked out of the room, she could not stand to watch his heart get broken. Yes, she had said the words but she knew it was a lie.

All she wanted was for him to hold her and assure her that everything would be okay but she needed to be strong.

She had compromised far too much where it concerned Edward; she needed him to know that she could be strong and independent. She was tired of compromising and putting herself and her brother in harm’s way

*********

So, this was what his life has come to, sulking over bourbon and sad music. Edward felt pathetic, he was very sure he looked pathetic too.

How he managed to ruin the only good thing that was a constant in his life. He had let her go, not because he was being a coward but because it was the right thing to do.

Making her stay would have only worsened the matter. He loved Amy so much and was willing to do anything for her, even if it meant letting her go.

Even his friends were totally useless in this case, he had met up with them the other day and they had only succeeded in making him feel worse.

”Forget about her man, you’re Edward Wu girls are going to have a taste.” Henry said.

”What the ** man.” Scolded Jun Mo.

Edward had just sat there, drinking and listening to them rant.

”I mean look at the poor guy, one of the greatest mafia lords. Pussy whipped and looking like a failure. Just forget about her man.”

Edward had gotten angry at Henry’s words and pulled a gun on him. Henry had been scared but had still wanted in, knowing his friend would not shoot him.

”Don’t you dare talk trash about Amy.”

”I’m just saying, the best thing would be for you to move on.”

But Edward couldn’t move on, he couldn’t get her taste of his lips no matter how much he consumed, he couldn’t get her laughter or her smile out of his head.

No matter how he tried, he couldn’t get her out of his system and he didn’t want to. He wanted to down in the memories of that was all he could have.