Bride To Be Not Me (Janice and Simon)

Janice's lung injury wasn't life-threatening, but it was serious enough that she wouldn't be able to follow the entire international crochet competition. She could only make an appearance when the results were announced if her work did well.

Three days later, the competition officially began. Today was the first day, and it featured works from 18 different regions around the world. The event would last four days.

"You don't have to accompany me." Janice could already sit up with some support. As long as she didn't move too much, the pain was manageable.

Edward had been staying by her side, personally tending to her.

When Jacob walked in and saw Edward wiping Janice's hands and face, he wasn't sure what to think. More than anything, though, it reassured him. Whether Edward's care was genuine or just for show, at least Janice was being looked after.

Still, Jacob couldn't shake the feeling that he was just taking up space. He had planned to handle everyone's meals, but it turned out he wasn't needed. Harrison would bring food for him and Edward, and the hospital staff handled Janice's meals.

After finishing a bowl of oatmeal, she turned to Jacob. "Jay, you should head back to school. I'm fine now."

"I..." Jacob didn't want to leave, but it was starting to feel like he was getting in the way.

"Okay. I'll pack up and leave," he said.

When he was ready to leave, Edward walked him out, which caught Jacob off guard.

They stepped out of the elevator into the crisp morning air.

Jacob was several years younger than Edward. He still looked young and inexperienced, yet his demeanor showed a growing sense of maturity.

He stopped and said, "You don't have to come with me, Mr. Moore. You should accompany my sister."

Edward looked at him. "Do you have enough money?"

Jacob froze. That sounded exactly like something Janice would say.

"I do," he replied.

Edward signaled his driver, who immediately handed over an envelope with two thousand dollars in cash.

"I don't need it," Jacob refused.

Edward replied, "If you don't accept it, Janice will give it to you anyway. It's the same either way. I don't have your number, so take the cash first."

Jacob couldn't quite describe how he felt. Ever since their father passed, no one outside their family had looked out for them like this. He wasn't weak, but the long-forgotten warmth left him momentarily stunned.

"If anything comes up, call me. Here's my number," Edward said. "You're graduating soon, right?"

"Yeah. This fall," Jacob replied.

Edward nodded. "We'll talk then. Let the driver send you to your university."

"No need. I'll take the bus."

Edward gave him a look. It was not stern or overbearing but firm enough that Jacob had no choice but to agree.

In the past, every time Jacob left after visiting Janice, he would always feel uneasy. But this time, with Edward by her side, he felt surprisingly at ease.

"Thanks for taking care of Janice," Jacob said before getting into the car.

...

In the hospital ward, Janice asked, "Has Jay left?"

Edward nodded. "Yeah."

"He didn't say anything to you, did he?"

"No," he responded.

Janice was relieved. She remembered how Jacob had bombarded Simon with questions the first time he arrived in Greenfield City. The fact that he had nothing to say now only proved how much he trusted Edward.

"The competition started today," Edward told her. "I told Matilda to submit your

work. The results for the first round will be out the day after tomorrow."

Janice sighed. "It's such a shame I can't be there in person."

"You're still recovering," he said.

"But it doesn't even hurt that much anymore," she argued.

retnoveldrama

"Let's wait until the results of the first round come out. If the doctor says you're good to travel, we'lktalk thend Edward's tone left no room for argument.