Chapter 202 If I Become Him
"I'll be right down." Upon hearing the news, my heart skipped a beat, and I immediately agreed.
Seeing my pale face, Elissa asked, "What's going on over there?"
I quickly packed while replying, "My aunt is critically ill. I need to rush back to Jacquar."
Thinking about Kimberly's tactics, I couldn't help but wonder if this was due to the illness worsening or if it was somehow connected to the recent revelations.
"Critically ill?" Elissa made a quick decision. "Christopher Valence is coming to pick you up, right? Don’t worry about packing. Leave that to me. I'll wrap everything up here this afternoon. You go ahead, and I'll bring your stuff back when I return."
I was too anxious to hesitate. "Alright, Elissa, thank you so much."
Elissa handed me my power bank and phone, pushing me out the door. "No need to thank me. This is my role as the Marketing Director. Besides, I'm a shareholder, so I'm working for myself too."
I had brought Elissa into ElevateJoy, giving her a portion of the shares.
I nodded. "I'll be off then!"
As I went downstairs, Christopher's car was just pulling up to the parking porch. The driver got out to open the door. I slipped into the back seat and saw Christopher leaning back with his eyes closed, resting. Eager for some peace, I turned to look out the window.
The car remained eerily quiet. Just as my thoughts began to drift, Christopher spoke in a low voice. "Stay out of the Maple Valley's matters."
"That's none of your business." I replied coldly without even turning my head.
Christopher was displeased, "Do you think a paternity test will get you married to Jerry Hammer?"
"How do you know about this?" I turned sharply, meeting Christopher's steely blue eyes with confusion.
This had only happened this morning, and very few people were in the loop. Jerry wouldn't have said anything, and the Harris family would rather bury the matter than let me return.
Christopher stared at me, his thin lips moving. "I also know that you and he have no future."
I clenched my fists and looked away. "There's even less of a future for you and me."
Christopher suddenly softened his tone. "Hope. In the past three years, we did have some good times, didn't we?"
"If you say so." I lowered my eyes and snorted. If Christopher considered my one-sided affection and his perfunctory attitude as good times, then so be it.
For the first time, I realized that when you had completely given up on someone, even arguing felt exhausting.
Christopher let out a cold laugh. "Is Jerry Hammer really that great?"
I replied, "Yes."
In fact, I hadn't thought much about my relationship with Jerry these past few days. I had been more preoccupied with my own background. But regardless of what the future held for Jerry and me, he had indeed treated me with unparalleled kindness, protecting me and respecting me more than anyone else.
In Christopher's eyes, I was once a weed that could be trampled by anyone, and he didn't care what happened to me. Later, he treated me like a rose in a greenhouse, doing everything for my good but never considering my wishes and thoughts.
But in front of Jerry, I was a sunflower. Jerry considered everything for me but also respected my wishes, analyzing the pros and cons and letting me grow toward the sun.
I always wanted to be a sunflower, not a weed or a rose.
Hearing my straightforward answer, Christopher's eyes dimmed, his thin lips pressed into a straight line. After a moment of silence, he asked in a low voice, "If I became him, would we have a chance?"
I was stunned for a moment. "What?"
Christopher shook his head slightly. "Nothing."
But the obsession in his eyes was deep.
Upon our arrival at Messlushi Hospital, the medical staff emerged from the emergency room, their faces painted with fatigue and sorrow.
The director approached, shaking his head in defeat. "Mr. Valence, Mrs. Valence, we exhausted all avenues, but the situation deteriorated too swiftly. We were powerless against it."
I pressed, desperation sharpening my voice, "Was it solely the illness worsening?"
The director nodded solemnly. "Yes."
My heart plummeted, and tears brimmed in my eyes. "Is there truly no other way? No matter the cost?"
Though I knew I was a Harris now, Beata was my pillar of strength, the one who had given me unwavering companionship. I couldn't let go just like this.
The director sighed heavily, "Mr. Valence had instructed us to utilize every available resource and spared no expense."
"Alright, thank you." I murmured, glancing at Christopher. "Thank you, both."
In recent days, I had noticed Beata's medical account remained funded without any reminders from the hospital. I had assumed the account was sufficient. I hadn't realized Christopher was discreetly covering the costs.
Christopher spoke gently, "Let's go see Beata."
I nodded. "Okay!"
Back in the ward, Beata regained consciousness shortly after. Her face was pallid, yet it brightened with a weary smile upon seeing me. "Hope, you're here."
Guilt gnawed at me for my recent absence. "Beata, your health is so frail. Why did you tell me you were fine the last time we spoke?"
I had called Beata during the holidays.
She patted my hand gently. "Why burden you during your holidays? Besides, I’ve had a long run. I’ve come to terms with whatever comes next."
Tears fell from my eyes, and I turned my head to wipe them away. "Where's Ethan Dylan? Why isn't he here?"
Beata’s smile turned bitter. "He hasn’t come for quite some time now. Without you and Christopher, I would have been a goner ages ago."
Witnessing her fragile state, I stood up decisively. "Beata. I'll call him and ask him to come."
Beata gripped my hand, her disappointment palpable. "Hope, let it go. I'll pretend he never existed. Parenthood is often guided by fate. If it's destined to fade, it will."
I clasped her hand gently. "You’ll always have me, Beata. You have me."
"Thank goodness for that," she sighed, casting a meaningful glance at Christopher. "Hope, cherish those who care about you. Don’t end up like me, alone in a hospital bed."
Christopher, who had been silent, spoke with a grave sincerity, "Don't worry. No matter what, I will take good care of Hope."
Not wanting to upset Beata at such a critical moment, I refrained from arguing.
"With your promise, I am at ease." Beata sighed, her energy waning, her eyes drifting to my neck. "Are you still wearing the necklace?"
I nodded. "Yes, I am. I haven't taken it off."
Drawing it from under my collar, I hesitated before daring to ask, "Beata, Johnson wasn't lying before, was he? I'm truly not a child of the Royston family, am I?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
