Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Pregnancy Is Such a Hassle

Carol's answer came out plain and honest: "I don't want to."

That attitude got to Edward. His lips thinned, clearly annoyed. When he saw she really didn't care to know more, he tossed a glance out the window, shifting the subject. "I've signed off on the acquisition. Tomorrow, you'll meet with the M&A team and talk first round with the Morans."

She gave no response. With work, Carol had always just followed orders.

Only thing was, this deal? Not exactly simple...

As she zoned out for a sec, Edward suddenly leaned toward her. His breath cool as it brushed her ear. "There's a convenience store up ahead. Pull over."

Once the car stopped, he cocked his chin at her. "Grab a few boxes of condoms. Actually, get more than a few. We ran out of the stash last time. This stuff's better stocked up."

Carol, already wound up by the night, snapped a little. "I'm not going. You want 'em, go get 'em yourself."

Edward just grinned, shameless as ever. "If you don't go, then I'm not wearing one tonight."

She winced. Pills were harsh on the body, and if she ended up pregnant? That'd blow everything up.

Thankfully, Edward always handled that part himself. Never made her take the pill.

Carol swallowed her irritation. Unclipping her seatbelt, she swung the door open and trudged to the store.

Minutes later, she stood by the shelves, pointing. "These-I'll take all of them. Please bag them."

Behind the counter, the cashier gawked, whispering to another worker.

Carol ignored it all. Paid up, then dumped two full bags of condoms into the back seat.

Edward gave a low laugh, eyes twinkling. "What is this, wholesale supply?"

She started the car without looking at him. "You said we should stock up, didn't you?"

"Carol, are you trying to test my stamina now?"

He called her "Carol" in that low, teasing way that curled right into your spine. He almost never used that tone-except when they were tangled up in bed, when his voice would murmur against her ear again and again.

"Guess I'll just have to step up."

She frowned slightly, not hiding the frustration. "Didn't we already do it once tonight?"

Tomorrow's talk with the Moran family wouldn't be easy - they were always vague as hell. It was going to take every bit of her focus. She needed rest.

But Edward? He never took her schedule seriously.

He gave her a sideways glance, smirk curving up. His sharp features dipped into shadow. "Once and that's it? Come on, what kind of guy do you think I am? Some one-and-done loser?"

Carol just shot him a look and stayed quiet. Arguing over stuff like this? Total waste of breath.

Back at the riverside house, they'd barely stepped inside before Edward was all over her.

He pressed up from behind like a wall, flooding her neck and cheek with kisses. His hand slid beneath her dress.

Men's hands really did come GPS-equipped. Whatever they wanted to find, they found it.

Carol braced against the wall, grabbing his wrist to stop him. "Shower first."

Too far in to stop now, Edward's breath was heavy, voice coaxing. "Let's finish first-then we shower."

Then came that faint "click"-the sound of his belt buckle unfastening.

In the quiet room, it was electric. As if just that sound could light a match.

Carol gave in with a sigh. "Just once, okay? I've got that meeting first thing."

He paused. The air froze for a beat. Then Edward suddenly stepped away from her, nudging her forward. "Go get cleaned up."

Carol blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. Still, she headed to the bathroom.

When she came out, Edward-once full of energy-was already dead asleep on the bed.She let out a quiet breath and silently lay beside him.

Sometimes, even she didn't know-did she fall for the young, energetic Edward, or the careless playboy he was now?

Same face, same person... but somehow, he felt like a stranger.

The words from earlier kept echoing in her mind-he's getting married...

She barely got any real sleep through the night, tossing and turning in restless bits.

After washing up in the morning, Edward noticed the dark circles under her eyes. "Rough night?"

Carol paused mid-motion while picking out a tie for him. Was that concern in his voice?

But before she could think further, his next line dragged her back to reality: "How are you supposed to negotiate a deal looking like that? Don't embarrass me. If you can't pull yourself together, just stay home."

"I'll cover it up with some concealer."

She reached out and tied a Windsor knot in record time-neat and tight.

Edward looked down at her and smirked, "How about we play with the tie next time?"

She looked up and caught that mischievous smile. For a second, she couldn't help but think-Maybe when Timothy named him Edward, he pictured a future general - commanding armies, conquering nations.

Well, Edward got the bold part right... just not the battlefield.

Since Edward was being picked up by Nathaniel Carter, the executive assistant, Carol headed to work first.

She wore a tight, purple split pencil skirt paired with sky-high 8cm heels. Didn't slow her down a bit-she was striding briskly like she owned the place.

Passing coworkers greeted her along the way; she returned each nod with poise, exuding the confidence of a seasoned woman.

"Carol!"

She turned at the sound and saw a woman approaching, taking off her sunglasses.

"Miss Cheryl, what can I do for you?"

The one in front of her was one of Edward's many flings-but among them all, she had stayed around the longest.

Honestly, if Edward hadn't dumped her in the end, Carol might've believed he actually liked Cheryl back.

"I want to see Mr. Dawson."

"Miss Cheryl, I think I made it plenty clear last time-there's nothing between you and Mr. Dawson anymore. So no, you're not seeing him. Please stop clinging."

"You're just an assistant. What gives you the right to interfere in matters between me and Edward. I'm being nice just asking you to take me to him!"

Cheryl's foundation was so thick that the frustration was practically caked on her face.

Carol wasn't in the mood for drama. She called out, "Security-"

Before she could finish, a loud smack cut her off. A stinging pain spread across her cheek.

"I told you not to call security!"

Carol stared at Cheryl's smug look for one beat-then slapped her right back.

She didn't hold back. Her hits were trained and tough, not something a regular woman could shake off.

Cheryl hit the ground, blood at the corner of her mouth. "You-you actually dared to hit me?!"

Carol shot her a cold glance and turned to leave, when someone suddenly shouted, "Mr. Dawson is here!"

Everyone turned to look in sync-and sure enough, that tall figure stepped into view.

Seeing it was actually Edward, Cheryl scrambled up and ran to him, tearing up in dramatic fashion. "Edward, I just wanted to see you, but... but she hit me!"

Edward glanced over at Carol and the faint red mark on her face. "You hit her?"

Carol's voice was calm and clear. "I did."

Cheryl's voice turned shrill with sobs. "Edward, you've got to stand up for me!"

Edward's gaze never left Carol, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Of course."

With that, he walked toward her.

Cheryl looked smug, while everyone else sensed the icy vibe he was giving off-Carol was in trouble, no doubt.

But she stayed cool, unfazed, as he stopped in front of her.

And then... he lifted his hand.