Approaching Dylan, Lina offered to help while casually inquiring, "You're quite close to Laura, aren't you? Did you know about her previous boyfriend? What kind of person was he?"

Dylan, who had initially intended to keep things under wraps, realized Lina was close to uncovering the truth herself.

As he continued chopping, he revealed in a subdued tone, “You saw him today. He was on a blind date."

Lina felt a fresh wave of dizziness, leaning heavily against the counter as she tried to steady herself.

After a moment, she voiced her thoughts.

"But with the relationships between our families, it's hard to imagine Laura getting involved with Edwin. She's not impulsive and is usually quite protective of herself."

Dylan scoffed.

His voice was laced with emotion as he snapped, "She fell for Nelson Steve, not Edwin Evans. Had she known who he really was, she wouldn't have gotten involved. That bastard played with her emotions, and I have to be honest, Mrs. Garcia--that's what happened."

Lina was overwhelmed with sadness, torn between two individuals she held dear.

She struggled to comprehend Edwin's actions and worried about the future interactions between him and Laura.

Dylan, deciding to be entirely forthright, disclosed, "They lived together for three months. But there was no pregnancy, no abortion.

They've completely broken up now.”

Lina was left to process this revelation, needing time to come to terms with the complexity of the situation and its implications.

Lina stepped out into the front yard, silently taking a seat. Dylan's Labrador came over, gently sniffing her hand.

She patted the dog, her head tilting back slightly to hide the tears that had started to fall.

Outside the villa, a black car pulled up--it was Edwin's.

He exited the vehicle, his eyes meeting Lina's. The discomfort was palpable between them, but he approached the front gate and knocked gently.

Lina quickly wiped her tears, stood, and walked out, closing the door behind her.

“Mrs. G-—" Before Edwin could finish his greeting, Lina struck him across the face.

Edwin, usually composed and fair-skinned, now stood disheveled, his cheek reddening from the slap.