But I Love You
Edmund’s candid words caused all the colors on Tillie’s face to drain away.
Standing behind him, Tillie felt as though she was hit by a bucket of cold water. It doused all the
courage and hopes that she had held on. While staring at him, her face had turned pale all over again.
“Even so, can’t we live out our days in peace?” she pleaded, unwilling to give up.
However, Edmund’s smirk widened.
“Are you dreaming? Has all the luxury goods gotten into your head?”
“No, I sincerely meant what I said. Edmund, I know you don’t like me, and I’m not worthy of you, but don’t
you need a family too? If you want to establish yourself in Jadeborough and expand the influence of the
Cooper family, don’t you need to marry someone sooner or later? Does it make a difference who you
marry?”
Tillie suddenly realized that she had calmed down.
Having lost all hope and no longer caring about the consequences, she gained the courage to go all out.
Her mental state allowed her to be more shrewd than ever.
Edmund was stunned.
I-I have never thought about that before. She’s right. If I want to restore the glory of the Coopers, don’t I
need a complete family? As for my feelings, there’s no way I can satisfy them in this lifetime.
“Edmund, don’t worry. Even though I’m staying by your side, you can treat me as your partner. I no
longer want to go through the hassle of remarriage again. I’m also sure that you’re unwilling to spend
time marrying another girl, am I right?
She paused for a while and continued, “Therefore, we can come to an agreement. We will pose as a
married couple in public, but in private, we are nothing more than partners or friends. We won’t bother
nor interfere with each other’s lives. Isn’t that better for you?”
This time, she had seized the initiative and was emboldened by it. Every word that came out of her
mouth seemed to strike a chord with Edmund.
Evidently, Tillie wasn’t a fool in at all.
Edmund was indeed tempted by her idea.
After that, he didn’t say another word until he returned to his room and closed the door.
Meanwhile, Tillie heaved a sigh of relief when she saw how he reacted. Feeling her body go limp, she
almost collapsed in the corridor.
Edmund’s response was indicative of his tacit agreement, causing Tillie to break into a smile.
When she returned to her room for the night, she enjoyed the best sleep she had gotten for the first time
in months.
The next day, Edmund left the Cooper residence early in the morning.
After accepting the Zander family’s business, Edmund was busy every day, laundering the Cooper
family’s assets.
Cognizant of the fact, Tillie reacted calmly the moment she realized Edmund was gone before she woke
up.
However, when she arrived downstairs, she was greeted by the sight of the three ladies waiting for their
food. At the same time, the maid she had hired a few days ago was busy cooking in the kitchen.
Thus, she proceeded to stand in front of the ladies.
“Tillie, why are you blocking my view? Can’t you see that I’m watching television? Instead of making
breakfast, why are you being annoying so early in the morning?” Violet berated her.
Meanwhile, Alice was silently playing on her phone while Gabriella looked equally upset.
Nevertheless, Tillie stared at them coldly.
“Violet, I’m afraid I’m here to annoy you today. Last night, I had a discussion with your brother. From
today onward, I will be in charge.”
“What did you say?”
Everyone in the living room had their mind blown.
“You? In charge? Who gave you the right? My mom is still around, you know.”
“Exactly, Tillie. Have you forgotten your place? You have just been married into the family, and yet, you
want to seize control? Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?” Alice rebuked Tillie with a disdainful
expression.
As for Gabriella, she was so infuriated that she felt the urge to tear Tillie apart.
Nonetheless, Tillie was a sea of calm. Unlike in the past, she no longer listened to them. Instead, she
continued to stare at them with an indifferent expression.
“Because I have not forgotten my place as a daughter-in-law of the Coopers that I am stamping my foot
down. You are not going to establish yourself in Jadeborough by whiling your time away. Just look at the
both of you. You are no longer young, but has any family worth their salt come and sought your hand in
marriage?”
“You—”
Tillie’s words struck a nerve with both the Cooper sisters, causing them to rage.
However, she didn’t stop there.
That morning, she had hardened her resolve to instill some discipline into the sloppy family.
“From now on, I make the rules. Alice, Violet, both of you can no longer stay at home and do nothing.
You should go out and do whatever needs to be done. The Cooper family will no longer accept
freeloaders.”
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