Edward's eyes widened in realization. He had never heard of her before, and his mother had never mentioned any relatives aside from his grandparents. His thoughts swirled with questions, and he found himself unsure of how to approach this unfamiliar presence.As Alma extended her hand, Edward hesitated for a moment before cautiously accepting the handshake. His grip was firm, but there was a hint of guardedness in his touch. He scrutinized Alma's features, searching for any resemblance to his mother or himself. He was met with an older, more mature version of his own facial features, and it gave him pause.Alma's smile remained kind, her gaze steady as she held Edward's hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Edward."Edward's response was measured. "Likewise, I suppose. But I have to admit, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around all of this. Why are you here? Who brought you here?"Alma's expression turned thoughtful. She could understand his skepticism, given the circums
Adele's expression turned serious, her voice soft as she posed the question. On the other hand, brenda's stared at Adele for a moment before a soft smile tugged at her lips. There was no trace of jealousy in her eyes. "Well, I think you're amazing, and if Edward were to take us both as his wives, I'd be totally okay with it."Adele's eyes widened. "Really? You're not... you're not jealous or anything?"Brenda's gaze turned thoughtful. "I've seen the way he looks at you. He cares about you deeply, and I can tell he's fallen for you in his own Edward-ish way."Adele's cheeks tinged pink, and she smiled shyly. "You really think so?"Brenda nodded, her expression sincere. "Look, you and I are different in many ways, but we both care about Edward a lot. The way he looks at you, the way he treats you, it's special. If he were to choose both of us, I wouldn't stand in the way. In fact, I think you make him happy, and that's what matters most to me."Adele's lips curled into a grateful smile.
Before they could continue their conversation, Alma's attention was caught by the approach of a few surviving members of Edward's team. These individuals had managed to escape the attack and regroup.Edward turned his attention to them. "Take Alma to safety. Use one of the remaining functional aircraft to get her out of here."One of the team members nodded in acknowledgment and turned to Alma. "Please come with us, ma'am. We'll ensure your safety."Edward spoke to Alma. "You should return to grandpa and let him know what's happening. We'll be in touch."Alma nodded. "Please be careful.""I will. Take care of yourself as well."As Alma left with the team, Edward turned his focus back to the situation at hand. He called over another team member and asked, "Where's Garret?"The team member's expression darkened. "I last saw him fighting in section 3."Edward's brows furrowed. "Section 3? That's where the attack was the most intense."The team member nodded grimly. "Yes, Boss, it was cha
Edward's attention shifted to Robert as they descended, the helicopter kicking up a cloud of dust as it touched down on the barren wasteland. The landscape that stretched before them was a stark contrast to the lush and green surroundings they were used to. Here, in the heart of Chia, the land was dry, cracked, and parched, as far as the eye could see.As the helicopter's rotor blades slowed and the dust began to settle, the three of them disembarked, their boots making faint crunching sounds against the gravelly ground. Edward's gaze swept across the desolate landscape, his mind grappling with the purpose of their visit to this unforgiving terrain.The silence of the wasteland was broken only by the soft whistling of the wind as it swept through the cracks and crevices of the land. It was a reminder of the solitude and isolation that this place exuded.Brenda glanced around. "This is..."Adele nodded in agreement. "Definitely not what I expected."Robert, their pilot, stood nearby, k
Edward's gaze shifted to a point approximately 200 meters away at around the 10 o'clock direction from their current position. "I want you to fly the helicopter over there and use all the bombs we have left."Adele's eyes widened in surprise, and Brenda looked both intrigued and puzzled. "Bombs? What are you talking about, Ed?"Edward smiled, a confident look on his face. "I've analyzed the terrain and believe that there's an underground spring beneath that point. The explosion from the bombs should trigger a collapse, creating an opening for the water to come up."Adele and Brenda exchanged glances, and Robert, however, seemed a bit hesitant. "But what if the explosion is too powerful? It could cause significant damage, Boss."Edward reassured him, "Just do as I say."With a nod, Robert headed towards the helicopter without further questions. As he took off, Edward, Adele, and Brenda found a safe spot to observe from a distance. Moments later, a series of explosions resonated through
Before Brenda could react to Edward's question, Adele interrupted with a teasing tone, her expression feigning exasperation. "Hold on a second, Mr. Heroic. Have you really thought this through?"Edward looked puzzled by Adele's interruption, prompting her to raise an eyebrow in mock annoyance. "I mean, seriously, Ed. Are you absolutely sure about this water's miraculous effects? Have you tried it yourself? What if it's toxic? As the responsible person that you are, shouldn't you be the guinea pig before Brenda gives it a shot?"Edward blinked, the realization dawning on him, and he scratched his head sheepishly. "Well, I... I actually haven't tried it myself, but---""Ah-ha!" Adele's expression was triumphant, and she crossed her arms with a knowing grin. "See? You're probably going to make Brenda go into a pool of poisonous water. So as a responsible man, it's only right for you to be the first one to experience its magic. Right?"Edward chuckled. "Okay, okay, I get your point."Bren
Edward nodded, his admiration for her strength evident.Adele, now standing close to Brenda, offered a reassuring smile. "Bren, if at any point during the process you're feeling uncomfortable or something seems wrong, just let me know. I'll be right here by your side."Brenda's gaze softened, touched by Adele's unwavering support. "Thank you. Having you here makes all the difference."With a nod, Brenda took a deep breath and made a decision. She reached for the strap that held her prosthetic hand in place and slowly began to remove it. As the hand came off, she set it aside with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. It was a symbol of her journey, and she was ready to embrace the next chapter.Adele's eyes sparkled with admiration for Brenda's courage. "You're amazing, Bren."Brenda's smile grew, and she stepped forward, her toes dipping into the water. It was cool and inviting, and she relished the sensation. With Adele by her side, she continued walking deeper into the pool un
In the serene aftermath of their laughter-filled water fight, the three of them stood in the Pool of Life, its radiant glow casting a gentle light on their faces. Adele and Brenda shared a moment of unspoken understanding. With a simple look, they communicated their unanimous agreement with Edward's desire to build a home in the vast, barren landscape surrounding them.Their eyes lingered on the expansive terrain, taking in the endless horizon. To an outsider, it might have seemed like a desolate wasteland, but to them, it held the potential for something extraordinary. The land stretched as far as the eye could see, offering a clear line of sight that could easily detect any approaching danger.Four days later, right beside the Pool of Life, a simple wooden house stood. It was a modest structure, designed with practicality and comfort in mind.Just a short distance away, a bustling scene unfolded as a group of men worked diligently on another project, building a house that had been p