When Left

Chapter 170: You Don’t Like Him 

Perhaps it was my overwhelming gratitude and guilt toward Cecil that made me not overthink it. I smiled and reassured him. “It’s okay, it doesn’t hurt much.” 

Cecil withdrew his hand, exhaling quietly. “Go home quickly. I just came to check on you. Seeing that you’re okay, I’m relieved.” 

“Okay.” I sniffed against the cold, waved to Cecil, and walked towards my front door. 

Thinking about what Cecil had said about the apartment, I turned back to him. “By the way, Cecil, I’ll move out as soon as possible.” 

When I moved in, I had thought we were nothing but friends. Now, with things more complicated, it was best not to cause him any trouble. 

“No need!” Cecil interrupted me, hesitated briefly, then seemed to compromise. “Just stay here. Jerry Hammer lives across the hall, and ordinary people wouldn’t dare cause trouble here. It’s relatively safe for you.” 

I relented, Thank you.” 

“Hope, we’re still friends.” Cecil noticed my discomfort and said frankly. “You don’t need to feel burdened because I like you. You haven’t hindered me in any way. Now that we’ve talked it out, let’s continue being friends, good friends.” 

“Okay!” I looked at Cecil gratefully and said seriously before he left. “Cecil, having a friend like you is very lucky for me.” 

Cecil pursed his lips, glanced at the darkened night outside the window, and murmured almost inaudibly, “I really hope you always think that way.” 

The noise of a car speeding by outside made me not hear clearly. I looked at Cecil and asked, “What?” 

“Nothing,” he said, smiling deeply. “I said, we’ll always be friends.” 

The elevator arrived. Before the doors opened, Cecil spoke warmly, “You should go home now.” 

“Okay!” I nodded vigorously. 

An indescribable feeling settled in my heart, hinting that something might change with this parting. But I couldn’t force anything. 

The elevator doors opened, and just as Cecil was about to enter, Avery emerged. Seeing Cecil, she was a bit surprised and quickly said. “Mr. Lewis, are you here to see Hope?” 

Cecil nodded slightly. “Yes, are you Mr. Hammer’s sister?” 

Avery nodded. “Yes. Are you leaving? Thank you for the medicine the other day; it was very effective. 

Cecil smiled. “You’re welcome.” 

Chapter 170: You Don’t Like Him 

After Cecil entered the elevator, Avery waited for the doors to close before turning back to me, nervously asking, “Hope, are you and Mr. Lewis in a relationship?” 

I chuckled, “Friends, we’ve always been friends.” 

Avery suddenly looked up to confirm. “You don’t like him?” 

“I do.” I responded, seeing Avery’s nervous expression. But then I laughed, “But just as a friend. Nothing romantic.” 

“Okay.” Avery nodded frantically, visibly relieved. 

Seeing this, I grasped her concern but chose not to pry out of respect for her feelings. 

Worried about Avery’s health, I asked, “I heard you mention medicine, are you feeling unwell?” 

“No, I’m fine.” Avery, usually outgoing, shyly shook her head, almost seeming to want to bury her head in the ground. “I went out the other night, and my period suddenly came. I was suffering from cramps, and I stained my pants. I happened to run into Mr. Lewis, who helped me buy some things and medicine.” 

Early in the morning, I roused myself before Jerry could wake me with his inevitable knocking. After packing, I maneuvered a large suitcase and a smaller one out the door. 

The door across opened at the same time. Avery, seeing me, was very excited. “Hope, are you really going back to Maple Valley with my brother?” 

I nodded, smiling warmly. “Yes, what about you? When are you going back for the holidays?” 

Even if I didn’t reach an agreement with Jerry, this trip was mandatory. Claire and Grace’s custom clothing orders needed to be delivered–not just the items, but the service as well. Moreover, Elevateloy was relying on Claire and Grace to help promote our brand. Personally making this trip was essential. 

“I’m going back with you guys! Wait for me!” Avery left the door open and dashed back into her room, hurriedly cramming stuff into a backpack before reemerging. 

Jerry’s exasperated voice echoed from the room. “Avery Hammer, quit running around the house at the crack of dawn! If you keep making noise, move out!” 

It was a running joke that I had a bad temper in the morning, but Jerry’s was far worse. 

Avery shot back, “Why so cranky? Hope is waiting by the door, and you’re still in bed!” 

“Just three more minutes,” he muttered. Then, silence. I checked my watch–only five minutes left until our agreed departure time. 

True to form, at exactly seven o’clock, Jerry emerged from his room looking thoroughly disheveled. For a rich kid, Jerry’s disregard for his appearance was almost impressive. His hair was a tousled mess, and he squinted sleepily, looking rather intimidating. Yet, his good looks and defined features somehow made the disarray charming. 

Spotting me out of the corner of his eye, Jerry shifted his gaze up. “What did you tell her?? 

Chapter 170: You Don’t Like Him. 

1 blinked, puzzled. “What?” 

“She never wanted to go back before, always spending holidays alone elsewhere,” Jerry stated, his voice still lazy and rough from sleep. “But now that she knows you’re going, she’s had a change of heart.” 

“Maybe she just suddenly felt like spending the holidays at home?” I suggested. 

Jerry shook his head. “No way.” All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“Why?” 1 prodded. 

He didn’t hold back. “She doesn’t get along with our father. If she did, why do you think the Harris family mother and daughter don’t know of her?” 

I looked at him. “She has a bad relationship with your father?” 

Just as I asked, Avery came out with her backpack, firmly stating, “He’s not even my father!” 

Jerry’s expression turned cold. “Either stay away or keep your wits about you when you’re there.” 

“You two are just alike.” Avery countered, directing her gaze at me. “Hope, listen, even remarrying Mr. Valence is better than being with him.” 

Jerry reached out and grabbed Avery’s ear. “Avery Hammer, stop ruining my reputation.” 

“Why do you care?” Avery shot back stiffly., “Aren’t you all about Bella? Why do you care so much about what I say to Hope lately? Have you developed feelings for her?” 

The ride to Maple Valley was steeped in awkward silence. Jerry slouched in the front passenger seat, falling asleep almost immediately, his posture lazy and his demeanor frosty. 

Several times, Avery attempted to strike up a conversation with me, but wary of having recently provoked Jerry, she refrained. 

Jerry sat in the front passenger seat, falling asleep as soon as he got in, slumping lazily in the seat, cold and quiet. 

Avery tried several times to chat with me, but worried about having just provoked Jerry, didn’t dare make a sound. 

Finally, unable to endure the silence any longer, she rummaged through her bag and produced two earplugs, handing them to me with a hopeful glance. 

I hesitated, whispering, “You give them to him.” 

“He’ll yell at me,” she whispered back/seeming almost tearful. “But he probably won’t yell at you.” 

With that, she pressed the carplugs into my hand. 

Caught between a rock and a hard place, I glanced at Avery’s pleading eyes. Just as I was about to give them to Jerry. he mumbled, “So noisy. Hand them over.”