Flash Marriage: The Domineering Wife Chapter 439 The truth

"Edward?!" Her eyes widened simultaneously with shock, delight, and apprehension. She scanned his features, seeking any hint of artifice, before hesitantly reaching out to touch him.

"How are you... no, no, why are you here?" Amy's voice trembled with worry.

Taken aback by her initial question, Edward retorted, "I could ask you the same thing."

Amy fell silent.

Then, his gaze drifted downwards, and Edward recalled the reason for his initial anger.

His hand slowly moved towards the noticeable curve, and as his fingers brushed against the fabric of Amy's shirt, Edward felt an unexpected surge of warmth and longing.

"I saw you get shot, Amy. I heard the gunshot," he choked out, voice cracking. Edward was close to tears. "And now, months later, I find you... heavy..."

"...with your baby," Amy finished, her eyes fluttering open at the sensation of her lover's touch upon her.

***

"No, Edward, we can't be seen together!"

But Edward paid no heed, pulling Amy towards the car Viktor had brought closer to the mall. The stakeout was concluded; they were departing.

"Are you even listening to me?!" Amy's voice, usually soft, now held a shrill, worried tone.

Edward remained unresponsive. He pushed open the mall doors, heading directly for the car he spotted approaching the entrance.

"Edward, please, you need to listen to me."

Finally, Edward halted and turned to face her. "Get in the car," he commanded, his words firm as Viktor brought the vehicle to a stop before them. He opened the car door and tilted his head expectantly, as if daring her to resist.

Amy swallowed hard, her protests silenced. Submissively, she entered the back of the car, with Edward following close behind.

"Drive, Viktor."

The bodyguard, understandably bewildered by the presence of the woman his team of soldiers had diligently sought for months in countless locations—some absurdly improbable—was jolted back to reality by his boss's directive.

He had momentarily lost focus, trying to process the unfolding events. Where had she come from? How had she even arrived from her supposed location?

In the mental map he held, Shanghai was nowhere near the river's path.

In fact, it lay so distant that the river could flood twice and still not reach the city.

Without further hesitation, the bodyguard started the car and sped away from the mall. Through the rearview mirror, he glanced at Edward and inquired,

"The hotel, sir?"

Edward shook his head. Turning to Amy, he asked, "Where can we go to talk?"

Amy looked as though she might cry. She met Edward's gaze, her eyes pleading. "If you leave me here, no one will know you're in town."

Her responses had clearly raised numerous questions, and Edward intended to ask them all. First, however, he needed a secluded place for their conversation. Thus, he repeated his question.

Exhausted from resisting the man insistent on seeing her, Amy sighed. "There's a small park nearby that's usually quite empty. We could go there."

Edward nodded and instructed Viktor, "Follow her directions."

Viktor complied with a nod.

Once more, Amy let out a sigh. "Turn left at the next intersection."

***

Viktor executed a reverse park beneath a solitary tree situated in front of the corrugated fence enclosing the park. He silenced the engine and leaned back in his seat.

Without a word to her, Edward opened the car door and took Amy's hands. As he stepped out of the vehicle, he gently pulled her along.

Due to his preoccupation and slightly hurried steps, Amy stumbled, nearly falling, but Edward reacted swiftly to steady her.

He encircled her waist, drawing her close. Her familiar scent filled his senses, and Edward took a deep breath.

His eyes welled up as he recalled the hardships he had endured without her and the utter misery of the preceding months.

"Why didn't you come back to me?" he whispered into her ear, his voice breaking. Yet, Edward did not weep.

He refused to display weakness before the sole woman, aside from his family, whom he had genuinely cherished.

"I searched for you for months, Amy. I missed you terribly."

However, Amy lacked Edward's resolute self-control; her tears flowed freely. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she drew him nearer, burying her face against his neck.

"I'm sorry. I am truly sorry. I promise I'll explain everything," Amy vowed, pulling away to search his face.

Edward's gaze locked with hers, an undeniable pull drawing him in. He leaned forward, initiating a kiss that began with tender affection before igniting into a passionate exchange fueled by desire.

"We're in public," Amy gently reminded him as his hands began to wander towards her rear, pulling them both back to awareness.

A soft groan escaped Edward, but he acquiesced with a nod.

"Let's head into the park," he suggested.

The park's gate, aged and weathered, groaned in protest as Amy pushed it open, its lament growing louder as she shut it behind them.

They ambled towards a secluded bench nestled behind a solitary fountain—a cracked plaster structure that barely retained its former glory. Silence stretched between them as they found their seats, a comfortable quietude holding sway until Edward finally broke the spell.

"I want to hear the entire story, from the very beginning. Don't leave anything out, no matter how small."

Amy swallowed, her nod firm. She began recounting her ordeal, starting from the moment of her abduction and continuing through to the incident by the river.

"...The gunshot startled us both. I had been so sure they wouldn't.. kill me then. Earlier, I had overheard a conversation where they..."

"'They'? Who are 'they'?" Edward interjected. Amy had been using the pronoun to refer to her captors throughout her narrative, yet a part of Edward was now almost entirely convinced that she knew precisely who they were.