Leaning with one elbow on his knee, the finely tailored fabric accentuated his impressive physique. He appeared immaculate, akin to a poster model.

Laura stared at him with a sense of bewilderment.

She couldn't fathom what she had done wrong. After all, they had been intimate just hours ago. Was it due to her clumsy accident with the bowl, or because she had ventured to work independently without his company?

Edwin seemed to grasp her thoughts.

In a casual tone, he remarked, "Let's part ways amicably. This is for the best."

With those words, he began to turn his back on her.

Laura refused.

Despite her innate timidity, she summoned the courage to hug him from behind, her face pressed against his back. In a soft, heartfelt voice, she confessed, “I don't want to be apart from you. I want to be with you."

Edwin's heart skipped a beat.

He cast his gaze downward, fixing his eyes on her tightly clenched hands.

Her delicate fingers were entwined, their pallor giving way to a rosy hue.

After a brief pause, he croaked in a hoarse voice, “That's enough.

Let go of me. I want to end this."

Having said that, he forcefully pulled away from her grasp.

He opened the apartment door and then slammed it shut in her face.

As Edwin stood alone in the elevator, his handsome visage remained devoid of emotion. He had achieved his goal; having invested a Little bit of his time and energy, he managed to manipulate this young woman.

Edwin expected Laura to break down in tears.

He anticipated her reaction would mirror the abandonment he and his mother had experienced all because of her all those years ago.

In all honesty, he should have been content with the outcome.

Yet, the mere thought of Laura shedding tears left him with a peculiar sense of loss. He even entertained the idea of turning back and embracing her, reassuring her that it had all been a charade for April Fool's Day.