Chapter 208 I'll Let You Go!
Austin was resolute, leaving me with no real choices. Yet, for once, I wanted to be selfish.
I stood up and faced him., "Austin, if you can't sway him, I don't think I can either."
I refused to make decisions for Jerry under the pretense of doing what was best for him. But no matter what he chose, I would respect it.
Austin's eyes sharpened. "He's blinded by love right now, acting impulsively, willing to give up everything for you. But what about the future? What happens when the initial thrill fades? Have you thought about three years, five years, ten years from now?"
A sudden tightness gripped my chest.
Austin sneered, "What if, one day, he sees his mother and sister paying the price for his love and regrets it? Will he then consider you the obstacle that ruined everything?"
I had to admit that seasoned individuals like Austin often saw things with unsettling clarity. Every word hit home.
"Whether you're Mrs. Valence, Ms. Royston, or Ms. Harris." Austin said, buttoning his suit jacket, "I hope you get a clear perspective. He's waited for you for so many years, and now he's supposed to sacrifice his life for you? That means you don't deserve his love at all!"
Austin added, "Or are you unaware of the relentless pressure RF Group is putting on the Hammer Group? Do you plan to drag Jerry down alongside the entire family? I'll give you two days to think this over. Should he remain his position now or become an ordinary person without the family legacy?"
As the front door closed, I slumped on the couch, my thoughts a tangled mess.
Jerry's call interrupted my spiraling thoughts. "Hello," I answered.
On the other end, Jerry's voice sounded as usual, as if out of habit, he said, "Hope, I have something to take care of today, can't be with you. Can we reschedule?"
Alex's heart attack likely meant Jerry was with him at the hospital, feeling guilty over the incident.
Suppressing my jumbled emotions, gripping my phone tightly, I ventured, "Did something happen? Is there anything I can help with?"
Jerry denied it. "No, just some urgent company matters."
"Okay." I replied, slowly walking to the window, gazing at the blooming flowers outside while masking the heaviness inside with a light tone. "Really, nothing happened?"
He joked, "Are you cursing me? Do you want something to happen to me?"
I chuckled, "Of course not."
"Stay home and work on your designs, and in your free time..." Jerry's voice, though tired, held a hint of a smile. "Think about our engagement."
His mood was infectious, making me smile. "What's there to think about?"
"Don't play dumb with me."
"Jerry, are you done with your call? The foreign experts are here for the consultation, you should join."
His voice and an elegant middle-aged woman's voice sounded simultaneously. It had to be Jerry's mother, Molly Perry.
I quickly said, "Jerry, you should go!"
"Did you hear that?" he asked.
"Yes, I heard someone calling you. Is it for a meeting?"
"Yes, I'm going then."
After hanging up, my vision blurred instantly. The bright flowers outside became indistinguishable pink smears.
At sunset, I glanced back toward the kitchen. Last night, Jerry had been clumsily busy here. Now, he seemed so far away.
Austin's words were not a joke.
The next morning, the newspaper headlines read, "The Hammer family's second son, Carlos Hammer, returns."
A child born to a mistress, given a background of being lost in childhood, was openly brought back to the Hammer family.
"Molly Faints from Emotional Shock"
"Carlos Joins the Hammer Group"
"Carlos the Hammer Group"
"Jerry's Position in Jeopardy"
"Carlos Secretly Contacts the RF Group"
By evening, these headlines were trending. Seeing the last one, I immediately called Christopher. "Are you part of this?"
There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a cold laugh and a sarcastic tone. "What do you mean by 'this'? The fake daughter of the Harris family or the mess of the Hammer family?"
I asked calmly, "You know what I'm asking."
"If you say so, then both of it." Christopher's voice was frigid, the sound of a lighter flicking came through. "Hope, come back to my side. I can help you with the Harris family and the Hammer family."
I was slightly stunned. "The Hammer family?"
He took a drag of his cigarette, his voice hoarse. "About Jerry. Do you think Austin Hammerjust wants you to leave Jerry? He also wants to leverage the RF Group to elevate the Hammer family."
I forced myself to stay calm, "Do you know Carlos Hammer?"
He replied indifferently, "Daniel's high school classmate."
Hearing this, I finally understood. What made Austin willing to give up on Jerry wasn't me, it was the power play. If Jerry and I stayed together, Christopher would relentlessly target the Hammer Group. But Carlos might secure a win-win cooperation with the RF Group.
Even if Jerry and I parted ways, it might not change the situation. The only way to alter it was for Christopher to intervene and make Daniel stop contacting Carlos. That would strip Carlos of his leverage.
The twilight was making me dizzy. Leaning on the couch, I said, "Christopher, this is meaningless. I don't love you anymore. A Mrs. Valence like this..."
Christopher's voice was irrefutable, almost pathological. "Whether it's meaningful or not, I decide. Hope, if you loved me once, you can love me a second time."
"I can't be that foolish." I said. I couldn't fall into the same pit twice.
His voice tightened, trembling slightly. "One month. If you still insist after one month, I'll let you go!"
I didn't feel relieved at all. One month was enough to change many things.
I said, "I can't answer you now."
Christopher said cooly, "I'm almost at Maple Valley. You don't have much time to think."
I suddenly threw my phone away. Again, I grabbed the mug on the coffee table, wanting to smash it, but then I remembered there was another identical one on the dining table. Jerry had bought this pair of mugs, so I held back.
Tears fell in large drops, soaking into my clothes. I was so used to being cautious. Maybe that was why I didn't deserve someone's wholehearted love.
I didn't want to be an obstacle in Jerry's life; I didn't want him to lose everything because of me.
In some ways, Christopher and I were the same, equally self-righteous.
I walked barefoot to the window, opened it, and leaned out. The mug wasn't placed securely and fell. Fortunately, it landed on the carpet, so it didn't break, but it brought me back to my senses.
I quickly pulled myself back, slid down the wall, hugged my knees, and broke down crying uncontrollably.
I didn't know how long it took, but by the time the light had dimmed and my tears had dried, Jerry's familiar, lazy voice broke through the silence. "I called you, but there was no response. I thought something happened to you. Turns out you were just daydreaming here?"
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