Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 48: Chit-chat

Chapter 48: Chit-chat

Ellen sat across from Edrick at the charming outdoor café, feeling a mixture of gratitude and anxiety. As much as she wanted to avoid Edrick, she couldn’t ignore the fact that he had just saved her from a pickpocket. She had insisted on repaying his kindness, and she should have known better before making such an offer because, of course, Edrick had asked to have coffee with her.

The small, round table between them held their cups of coffee, the steam rising lazily into the warm Parisian air. Ellen took a sip from her cup, her eyes fixed on the bustling street beyond, trying to avoid meeting Edrick’s intense gaze.

She didn’t really know how to react around an ex because, please, she had never had any serious relationships back in her real world. Her life had been about survival, making a living, not about romantic stuff. Sure, she had met a few interesting guys, but nothing ever came of it. She never had the time or the energy to pursue anything serious.

She knew there were situations where you couldn’t be friends with your ex, but also situations where you could still be good friends. And for this situation, it was definitely the latter. The reason for their breakup wasn’t anything serious like abuse or cheating. In fact, Edrick still treated her well and had even helped her earlier.

She glanced up at Edrick, who had a playful grin on his face. "Lost in thought?" he asked, his tone light.

Ellen smiled nervously, nodding. "Just thinking about... earlier."

Edrick leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. "You always were a thinker," he said with a hint of fondness.

She set her cup down and looked at him, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "Thank you again, Edrick, for saving me from that pickpocket. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been there."

Edrick smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "It was my pleasure, Ellen. Just glad I could help. And," he added with a playful tone, "I’m pleased to see you remember me now."

Ellen chuckled nervously, her fingers fidgeting with the handle of her coffee cup. "I’m really sorry about that. I guess I had a bit too much to drink at Helga’s housewarming party."

Edrick leaned back in his chair, his gaze still fixed on her. "I thought you pretended not to know me as a way of saying you didn’t want anything to do with me anymore."

Ellen’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up at him, her eyes softening. "How can you think that? We can still be good friends, even though we’re not a couple anymore."

Edrick only smiled, a mixture of nostalgia and sadness flickering across his face. He took a sip of his coffee, then asked, "So, what brings you to Paris, Ellen?"

Ellen shifted in her seat, trying to appear casual. "I’m here accompanying my husband on a business trip," she replied. But in her mind, the truth was different: she was here to make sure Mason wasn’t alone with Aubrey, who was always scheming to find a way to be near him.

Edrick’s expression darkened, his smile fading. He chuckled, but it wasn’t a happy sound. "I sometimes forget that you’re married now. And to Mason, of all people. I never saw that coming."

Ellen silently agreed with Edrick. She also didn’t see that coming. In fact, Ellen Winter was actually pretty lucky, if she set aside the fact there was Aubrey in her marriage. Her ex-boyfriend was Edrick and her husband was Mason. Both were fine men that many women would rip each other apart just to be with them. The irony of her situation wasn’t lost on her. She had what so many others desired, yet there was a persistent thorn in her side.

Ellen cleared her throat, feeling the tension rise. She forced a bright tone into her voice. "So, what about you, Edrick? What brings you to Paris?"

Edrick looked at her for a moment, as if considering whether to press further about Mason, but then he answered, "I got invited to my business partners’ wedding. It’s been a nice trip so far."

Ellen nodded, trying to keep the conversation light. "That sounds lovely. Paris is such a beautiful place for a wedding."

Edrick chuckled softly, he kept tapping his fingers on his coffee cup. Ellen tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "What’s so funny?" she asked, trying to keep her tone casual.

Edrick shook his head, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips. "I just remembered how you used to ask me if we could have a wedding in Paris."

Ellen’s eyes widened in surprise. What the... She had just made a casual comment, not expecting it to bring up such a significant memory. "Oh, yes," she said, her laughter coming out awkwardly. "I remember."

She quickly sipped her coffee, hoping to hide her flustered expression behind the cup. Inside, she chastised herself. Better not throw any more comments, Ellen.

Edrick’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he looked away, his smile fading into a more neutral expression. The tapping of his fingers on the cup continued, filling the brief silence between them.

There was a moment of silence, the noise of the café filling the space between them. Ellen took another sip of her coffee, her mind racing with thoughts of Mason and Aubrey, and now, Edrick’s presence complicating things further.

Edrick broke the silence, his voice soft but insistent. "Ellen, are you happy?"

Ellen blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"

Why did he suddenly ask her that?

Edrick leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Are you happy with Mason? Is he treating you well?"

Ellen forced a smile, feeling the pressure of the question. "Yes, I’m happy," she said, trying to infuse her voice with sincerity. "Mason’s great. He works a lot, but we’re making it work."

Edrick watched her closely, his eyes searching hers for the truth. "That’s good, Ellen. If you’re happy, that’s all that matters."

Ellen nodded, her smile still in place, but inside, she felt a hollow ache. She knew she wasn’t just lying to Edrick, she was lying to herself.