Chapter 218: Pretending to Be Pitiful
Sophia's words brought a sudden hush to the lively atmosphere in the private room.
I followed her gaze and saw Jerry. His slender fingers casually held a wine glass, the sleeves of his dark shirt rolled up to reveal lean forearms. His watch glinted faintly under the light.
He raised his eyebrow slightly at the sound, glancing over nonchalantly. Our eyes met in midair.
Jerry was indeed alive. Surprise and delight filled me, and an unconscious smile tugged at my lips. “Jerry…”
But then, I noticed his gaze. It was devoid of warmth, inherently indifferent, and emotionless. It felt like he was staring at a stranger.
The realization was like a bucket of cold water poured over my head, silencing me completely.
The others in the room glanced at me in confusion. Among them were two familiar faces I recognized from Kimberly's birthday party a few years back, childhood friends of Jerry.
Sophia broke the tension, “Are you looking for him for something?”
I forced a smile, “No, just unexpected running into him here at Jacquar. Sorry to bother you all, I’ll leave now!”
Grateful for his survival, I fled back to our private room in a rush. Elissa noticed my troubled expression. “What happened? Did you run into someone you know?”
"No." I shook my head, eager to change the subject. "Let's eat, I'm starving."
Cecil began his usual chatter about Madison, but my thoughts were miles away, distracted by the encounter.
I thought the matter was over, but fate had other plans.
As the evening drew to a close, Cecil went to the front hall to settle the bill, and Elissa and I stepped out. Just then, the door to another private room swung open.
Sophia emerged, gently making sure Jerry stayed bundled in his wheelchair with a thin blanket over his legs. She was affectionate yet assertive. “Remember what the doctor said? Keep it on.”
Jerry, known for his stubbornness, didn’t argue. He simply let out a lazy sigh. “Got it. Get off my back.”
Elissa shot me a surprised glance, suspicion clear in her eyes. I shook my head subtly. “Let's go.”
As we walked past, Sophia called out with a smile, “Jerry’s friend, did you know he changed his contact? Want to add him online for easier contact?”
Jerry’s gaze towards Sophia was unreadable.
Not wanting to cause any trouble or misunderstand Sophia’s intentions, I glanced at Jerry's leg, suppressing my urge to inquire further. “No need, we’re just friends and haven’t been in touch for over two years. Don’t misunderstand.”
Over two years had passed. In those sleepless nights in Fantasia Federation, I had tried to reach out, dialing his familiar number. But I never got through, once wondering if he was truly gone.
Seeing him now was relief enough.
I turned to leave. But Jerry’s voice, tinged with mockery, halted me. “Why not, Mrs. Valence? Or is Mr. Valence against you adding male friends?”
I paused.
Elissa, quicker on her feet, seized her phone and flashed my number with a smile. “Mr. Hammer, with such a beauty by your side, why should we singles like Hope be concerned?”
Jerry smirked as he added my number to his phone, his long lashes half-covering his brown eyes. “Mrs. Valence planning to reconcile again soon?”
Elissa explained, "This time Hope is..."
"Alright, Elissa." I gently pulled her away, signaling it was time to go. There was no point in delving into explanations; Jerry already had a girlfriend.
It wasn't until my figure completely disappeared around the corner that Jerry looked away, fixing a faintly irritated gaze upon Sophia. "What’re you trying to do?"
Sophia pointed at his phone. "Just helping you get a contact. How do you plan to thank me?"
Jerry said coldly, "No need."
Sophia let out a chuckle. "Then why did you stop her just now? This outdated tactic of ignoring someone to get their attention doesn’t suit you. Who taught you that anyway?"
Jerry shrugged, unfazed. "Sophia, has anyone told you you’re prettier when you’re silent?"
Sophia scoffed, "Nothing good ever comes out of your mouth. No wonder you've been single for so long."
"Get lost." Jerry's smile held a sharp edge.
Just then, a notification popped up on his phone. Hope had accepted his friend request. He glanced at the screen, but no message followed. It was so like her: leaving without a word, severing ties with a clean break, devoid of sentiment.
Old memories from their childhood were too vivid; no matter what she did, he couldn't bring himself to hate her.
Yet, he wasn't ready to let her off so easily.
Jerry clicked on Hope's profile picture. She was leaning against a balcony railing at dusk, her expression distant and contemplative. The sunset bathed her in a poignant light, stirring something deep within him.
He hesitated before diving into her profile, dreading what he might find. Would she be too happy, too content without him? Or worse, still unhappy, burdened by her past?
But her page was empty—no posts, no updates.
Back home, Sophia snatched his phone away. "Stop staring already. You've been glued to it for two hours."
Jerry glowered. "Give it back."
"Your vision just recovered. Do you want to ruin it again by staring at a screen all night?" Sophia quipped, before her countenance softened as she recalled something. "By the way, Hope probably thinks I’m your girlfriend. You should clarify that before it drives her even further away."
Jerry’s laugh was humorless. "Me explain? Dream on."
Hope had never explained herself, yet he was supposed to? Just friends—what a farce.
After my shower, the midsummer rain pounded on the glass like a relentless symphony. Elissa entered, balancing two wine glasses and a bottle of red wine.
"Are you okay?" She asked as she handed me a glass.
I nodded and handed her the corkscrew. "I'm fine."
Elissa scrutinized my face before stating the obvious. "Jerry has a girlfriend."
I nodded again. "Yes."
JSeeing Jerry in a wheelchair now, knowing the pride he carried with him—it must’ve taken an enormous effort to accept his new reality. Someone standing by him was something to be happy about.
Elissa poured the wine, settled on the carpet, and clinked her glass lightly against mine. "What about you?"
I forced a smile. "I have you."
Elissa studied me with interest and teased, "So, you’re saying you won’t prioritize romance over friendship in the future?"
“No…” I started, but a notification diverted my attention.
Jerry: [Bella Harris, my legs hurt.]
I stared at the message, surprised, and set my glass down. Thinking carefully, I responded.
Me: [Ask your girlfriend to try a hot compress and massage.]
Jerry: [That's my cousin]
Jerry: [She went out]
Jerry: [Do you have time?]
Three messages came back instantly.
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