Later, while the guests gathered outside for photographs, Edward and I stood near the garden. I thanked him for defending me, but he gently shook his head. “I didn’t bring those trousers just to embarrass Max,” he explained. “I wanted you to remember something important.” Then he looked directly at me. “You keep trying to prove to Max that you’re worth loving. But you don’t owe him proof.”
His words struck deeper than I expected. I had convinced myself that bringing a handsome man would make Max regret his decision. But underneath that idea was something much more painful. I still wanted approval from someone who had spent years making me feel unattractive. Before I could answer, my youngest daughter approached us. She had heard Max’s earlier comment and had been watching everything. She looked at me with a confused expression and quietly asked, “Mom, why did you pretend Edward was your boyfriend?”
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