Bride To Be Not Me (Janice and Simon)

"Are you busy admiring your younger self?"

A voice came from behind, causing Janice to quickly turn around. She grabbed Edward's arm, her memory slowly returning.

"The person who cast the final vote back then... Was it you?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

"I remember now," she continued. "I almost didn't make it to the finals. I was just one vote shy. I kept staring at the last judge, hoping for that one vote... And then, it came... It was you, wasn't it?"

Edward chuckled softly. "Was I really so forgettable that you couldn't even recognize me?"

It was clear that she had indeed forgotten about him.

"No, no!" Janice frowned, trying to recall more of the memory. "I had this sense that I knew you when we first met, but back then, you didn't look like this..."

Now, he was fierce, cold, and unapproachable.

"Besides, I was so nervous. All I could focus on was getting into the finals. My mind went completely blank."

Edward reached out and gently stroked her head, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "I know."

"So, it really was you?"

"Yes."

Janice's lips parted in surprise.

Before she could react, a deviled egg was placed in her mouth. Instinctively, she took a bite.

Wearing gloves, Edward handed her two more to fill her stomach. "Is it too salty?"

Still processing everything, Janice chewed slowly. "Not at all."

"Anyway, there's a projector here if you want to watch a movie and relax for a while," Edward added.

As she watched him walk away, Janice stood frozen for a long moment. So, it was him...

While international championships were undeniably about skill, connections also played a significant role.

As an unknown creator, she would have quickly been overlooked. In time, a larger company would have swallowed her up, leaving her to sell her skills and labor. It was Edward who had given her the opportunity to rise.

Had he picked a more renowned seamstress back then, she wouldn't be where she was today, and she certainly wouldn't have had the chance to win so many awards since. en

Janice walked slowly into the kitchen.

As Edward turned at the sound of her footsteps, a soft, fragrant embrace surrounded him. Without thinking, he moved the spatula aside Though surprised by Janice's hug, he gently wrapped one arm around her. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Thank you, Edward."

He was her benefactor.

•M

Edward lowered his gaze. "Is it because I voted for you?"

"That one vote changed everything for me," Janice said, lifting her gaze to meet his. "It gave me a chance when I had none. Why didn't you tell me?"

"You didn't remember me, so what was the point?" he replied. "Do you think I'd

use your gratitude as leverage to keep you by my side?"noveldrama

Edward's character was undoubtedly exceptional, far surpassing Simon's in every way.

Janice pulled away, the awkwardness of the embrace slowly settling in. "You... You can get back to your work."

He smiled. "Aren't you going to hug me again?"

Janice let out a huff and walked out of the kitchen. As she stepped outside, the front door swung open.

Janice found herself face-to-face with Barbara and a man she didn't recognize.

Meanwhile, Barbara hadn't expected them to arrive so soon. She had already sent someone to buy groceries and was planning to cook a meal for the kids.

"Hello, Mrs. Moore," Janice greeted, quickly stepping forward to take the items from her.