When Left
CHAPTER 142

Chapter 142: None of Them Are Christopher Valence!

Elissa’s sudden grave demeanor struck a chord of unease deep within me, an ominous feeling that something irreplaceable was on the verge of

shattering

I fixed my gare on her, nervously biting my lip. “I’m ready. Just tell me.”

Elissa hesitated, struggling with her words before finally letting it out in a rush. The person who took you to the campus clinic and brought you meals during college–it wasnt Christopher Valence!”

Not Christopher? The revelation sent my mind reeling, leaving me momentarily frozen in shock.

After what felt like an eternity. I regained my composure, a heavy weight pressing down on my chest, making my voice quiver. “Really?”

Deep down, I knew it was true. Elissa was keenly aware of how significant this was to me. She wouldn’t reveal such a thing unless she was absolutely certain.

But then, what did years of harboring feelings for him mean?

Elissa nodded. “Yes.”

“Then the person who really helped me…was it Cecil?” I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure.

Elissa looked genuinely surprised. “How did you know?”

“No wonder.”

My response seemed off–topic, but my heart was flooded with a bittersweet feeling.

No wonder Christopher always assumed I liked Cecil and constantly doubted my relationship with him.

No wonder when I admitted to Christopher that my feelings stemmed from those acts of kindness, he seemed so panicked.

Christopher had even asked if I’d still like him if he hadn’t been the one who helped me.

I should have realized it earlier!

I was too blased, too blinded by my own feelings.

The light I had desperately chased for so many years had never truly shone on me.

Christopher’s tenderness, not even for a fleeting moment, was ever directed toward me. He didn’t care for me; he had watched coldly as I mistook someone else for him, all while I endured countless humiliations and fell into disgrace,

No wonder he had aimed that gun at me so unwaveringly.

It had always been my wishful thinking!

Elissa broke the silence, gazing out the window. “Hope, it’s snowing! The forecast mentioned snow yesterday, but when it didn’t come, I thought it would pass us by.”

I turned to look outside, watching snowflakes cascade softly to the ground. By evening, everything would be blanketed in white.

[Weather forecast says it will snow this Sunday. Want to build a snowman together?]

Christopher’s words suddenly came to my mind.

I couldn’t help but laugh, but as I did, the laughter tasted oddly salty.

It was all a

The day Christopher told me he would come build a snowman with me, he had pointed a gun at me. The day it actually snowed, he announced his engagement to Kimberly!

Chapter 142: None of Them Are Christopher Valence!

Christopher, how hypocritical you are.

He had watched me, aware of my mistake, yet he never corrected me.

He did not love me; he merely reveled in my misplaced affection.

I murmured, “I was wrong.

I was terribly, terribly wrong.

“Hope?” Elissa handed me a handful of tissues, gently dabbing at my tears. “Sweetie, this isn’t on you. No one could have foreseen such a twisted mix- up. Fate can be a real trickster sometimes.“

I wasn’t sure how long I cried before finally settling down, curling up on the sofa, staring blankly out the window.

The snow continued to fall, an uninterrupted cascade of white,

I couldn’t quite put my feelings into words at that moment. In the past, I felt wronged, sad, and disappointed. But now, my heart was a whirlwind of emotions, and more than anything, I felt a deep sense of unfaimess. A stubborn unwillingness to accept the cruel twist of fate.

The doorbell rang

Elissa jumped up. “Must be the delivery! In this snow, I thought hot pot would be perfect for dinner?

She dashed to the door barefoot but stopped short when she saw who it was. Cecil, did you come to see Hope?

“Yes.” Cecil smiled warmly, stepping inside. His gaze turned to me “How are you feeling today? Still in pain?”

Despite only a single night passing, seeing Cecil now brought a wave of embarrassment.

The person who had helped me all this time was him.

Noticing my dazed expression, Cecil walked over and chuckled: “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.” I shook my head quickly, responding to his earlier question. “I’m feeling much better, not as painfial as yesterday.”

Cecil nodded. “That’s a relief”

He placed a bag on the coffee table. I brought some special scar ointment from the hospital. Your injuries are pretty severe, and even though they’re not on your face, you should still take care to avoid any permanent scarring”

Knowing the truth of the past hrought a complex wave of guilt and gratitude, so I complied readily. “Okay, I use it when I change the dressing tonight.”

“I’d wait a few days first,” Cecil advised, removing his white down jacket with the heater now warming the room. He smiled kindly. “The scar ointment should be used once the wounds begin to heal

|___ “Got it.” I nodded, absorbing his instructions.

As Elissa moved to close the door, the food delivery arrived. She carried the bags into the kitchen. I handle dinner tonight. You guys just wait to eat.”

it was straightforward enough, not requiring exceptional culinary skills, so neither Cecil nor I objected.

Hot pot

The kitchen filled with the clinking of utensils, and Cecil glanced at me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Have you been crying?”

“Yes, I admitted without hesitation.

For eight long years, I had harbored feelings for the wrong person, a consequence of mistaking the one who had truly been there for me. It was worth crying over.

Had there been no mistake, I might never have fallen so profoundly for Christopher. Christopher, with his elegance and nobility, would have remained an untouchable figure in my life. I might have admired him briefly, like many others, and moved on post–graduation

Cecil looked slightly helpless, perhaps misunderstanding the depth of my turmoil. He attempted to comfort me. “Love has a way of replaceing its course. You were going to divorce him anyway. Now that he’s announced his engagement, you can let go sooner.”

Chapter 142 None of Them Are Christopher Valence

“Cecil,” I interrupted him, my gaze locking onto his kind eyes. Despite my efforts to hold back, I couldn’t help but ask, “You always knew I was mistaken, didn’t you?”

Cecil’s brow furrowed slightly. “What?”

I muttered, “I just found out that it was you who helped me in college.”

1 looked eamestly at Cecil, my voice soft but resolute, “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

Cecil appeared taken aback, gently brushing away my lingering bears. “I was afraid you’d be sad, like you are now,”

Tentatively, I asked, “Did you mind? That I remembered your kindness as Christopher Valences.”

Even though Cecil already had someone he liked.

After all, he did good deeds, and wanting a thank your was reasonable.

“I don’t mind,” Cecil said, a gentle smile softening his features as he looked at me. “I can wait. I’ll wait until you’re ready to see me, until your heart is no longer set on him”

This time, it was my turn to be stunned. Cecily words were unmistakably clear. But hadn’t Cecil mentioned having someone he liked for many years?

I opened my mouth, grappling with the swirling thoughts, and after a moment managed to ask, “What did you just say?”