Mark unconsciously twitched his mouth. He didn't know whether Edward was praising him or debasing him. No one would ever praise like Edward, the master of backhanded compliments. He'd pick you up one moment and bring you down the next.
Mark, you go out first." Daisy ordered, frowning. It seemed that Edward was determined to get an answer today. So she decided to tell him. She would always give in and tell him anyway.
Yes, colonel." Mark smiled tacitly and walked out. He was used to it -- his colonel yielding to Edward. That happened every day recently. What confused him was the U-turn she made, from a tough military officer to a meek little woman. And Edward had everything to do with it. Indeed, love had scary magic. He preferred not to experience love for fear of ending up like Daisy.
So... What do you want to know?" Daisy pulled a chair up to the bed and sat down. She stared at Edward and determined to tell him whatever he wanted to know.
Who slapped you? If I have to guess, it was Leo, right? That's why you didn't dodge or fight back."
Edward's eyes were as sharp as an eagle. He knew with only a glance that Daisy's swollen face was because of a heavy slap. But Daisy was too capable to let that happen, unless she was willing to take the slap. But who would have that effect on her? It must be someone that meant a lot to her. So quite naturally, Edward figured that Leo must be the one that slapped her. He knew that though Daisy was tough, she always desired her father's love.
"How do you know it's him? You must think that I'm stupid, right? I know he doesn't love me, but I just hope that maybe, maybe he would change his mind some day and take me as his daughter, you know." Daisy bit her lip in sorrow and smiled in self-mockery. She looked both sad and lonely. She should have understood that Leo didn't see her as a daughter when she was kicked out of the Ouyang Family twelve years ago. But she always remembered how much Leo indulged her in her childhood. She always hoped that his aloofness was just a bad dream, that deep down he still loved her.
Yes, you are stupid. But you're also kind and sweet. Does it still hurt?" Carefully Edward caressed her swollen face, his hand quivering for fear of hurting her. Then he helped brush her hair behind her ears, like he used to do. That long-absent move made Daisy's eyes red.
It hurt initially, not physically, but mentally. But when I saw you wake up, it didn't hurt any more. Having you is like having the whole world."
Daisy held Edward's hand, gently rubbing her face against his big warm palm. Her eyes were full of happiness. She knew that even if she lost everything, she would still have him with her. And that was more joyous for her than anything else. Luckily, she had him.
Don't ever let anyone hit you again, okay? It'll make my heart ache." Edward urged, frowned. 'Leo, it seems that you just can't realize your mistakes. Even such a large pile of documents couldn't convince you. You are such a pity -- toss aside your daughter who loves you so much, but dote on a woman to whom you mean nothing. Since you don't think of Daisy as your daughter, I wouldn't regard you as my father-in-law, ' Edward pondered.
I know. After this slap, I will hold no more illusions about him. From today on, he is not my father. And we are just strangers." Daisy said so, but her heart ached. After all, blood is thicker than water. No matter how cruel Leo was to her, he was a father to her anyway. But after everything he'd done, she figured out that no matter how much she loved him, she was still nothing to him. All she did was just ridiculous in Leo's eyes.
Don't be sad. You have us. We will always be your family." Edward put on a reassuring smile. He really wanted to hold her in his arms if he could. Plus, he would deal with Tom later. Tom should have done better than to let Daisy be slapped in his hospital. Besides, Tom put him in the most expensive ward. That's a bill they would settle later.
Yes, I have you. So, next time we face this kind of accident again, you can't do the same thing. You shouldn't have taken a bullet for me... I would rather be the one that gets shot than watch you do that, " Daisy said earnestly, her fingers shuffling through his hair. She dreaded the feeling of almost losing him. So if they were in danger next time, she hoped that it would be her falling in his arms, not like this time when she held his bleeding body and felt it gradually turn cold. It made her vision go black as if even her soul was sucked up by something invisible.
"You are being selfish, you know? Seeing you fall would also tear my heart apart, same as you. It would be cruel if you ever do that, " Edward answered and lightly shut his eyes. He didn't know whether he should be enraged or touched by her words. But one thing was clear -- he loved her with all his heart and soul. He would shudder just to listen to what she had said.
Please let me be selfish for one time. Without you, my existence will mean simply nothing. For all these years, I have been following your steps. You have become an indispensable part of my life. You are, indeed, my life's aim. Without you, I'll crush and collapse. So please take good care of yourself for my sake."
Daisy's eyes were all about love. She stared straight at Edward without the slightest feeling of timidness. You could tell that she really changed a lot today. After all, she never spoke out her love before. So her sudden switch caught Edward quite by surprise. He sensed that something must have changed fundamentally during his coma.
"Sorry. If that promise is at the cost of your life, I can't let you be selfish and sacrifice yourself. Don't forget that you are my wife. If I can't protect you from harm, then I'm not a good husband and won't deserve your love and trust, "
Edward said, his voice a bit hoarse. But it didn't weaken his determination on this. He didn't want her harmed, not even a little bit, under his watch. Or he would prove untrustworthy to her and not deserve her affection.
"Edward, you don't even consent to my simple request. You don't love me at all, " Daisy complained, then bit his lips as punishment. As touched as she was to his confession, she was also mad at Edward's denying her. So right now she was staring at him grudgingly, her lips pouted. But the scene was more attractive than threatening.
So you've been by my bedside the whole time. How long have I been out? I was gone for just a little while and everything seems to have changed." Edward began to lose his cool. 'Was I in a coma for months? Why did Daisy change so much? But her clothes don't seem like any winter outfit. Maybe a year has passed? OMG!' Edward pondered.
That possibility made Edward widen his eyes in surprise. He gaped at Daisy, desperate for an answer. 'Was I really in a coma for an entire year? That's why I can hear her cry and complain in my dreams? But if a year has passed, how come my chest still hurts? The wound hasn't recovered after a year? If so, I must beat up Tom, the quack. But Tom is a superb doctor. So what's going on?' Edward felt a turmoil of thoughts surging in his head. A multitude of speculations sprang up in his mind.
From the time you got shot til now, twenty hours have passed. Why do you ask? You have somewhere you need to be besides here?" Daisy answered and checked her watch. It was about six o'clock p.m.. Edward woke up half an hour later than Tom expected, but he woke up anyway. That was what mattered.
Oh. Nothing. I thought a year had passed." If not for the pain on his chest, he would really think that a year had gone by. After all, Daisy was poles apart from her usual self. Luckily, it had just been dozens of hours. He wouldn't lose a year in his happy life with her.
Edward's answer made Daisy twich her mouth in confusion. What gave Edward such a strange idea? Maybe because she was too outgoing today? Maybe Edward didn't like it?
Do you think that my change is too weird? Daisy shut her eyes in a bit of embarrassment. She herself thought that she deviated from her usual self too much. It was a bit unlike her, truth be told. But she had promised to never hide her love for Edward anymore. Though unconscious Edward hadn't heard about her promise, she must deliver it anyway. She didn't want to regret not displaying her love to him should she lose him again.
No. You know I love you no matter what kind of person you become. You will always take a lion share of my heart. Besides, I love your change. You're more lively and vivacious now. I like it.
Edward her head in his arms and kissed her hair affectionately. Though, he was a bit tired now, he didn't let go of her. In his eyes one could only see love. They were the living example of the oath, "To have and to hold till death do us part.