When Left
CHAPTER 149

Chapter 149 Setting a Deadline

We’re all adults here, and we had an open conversation a few days ago. Naturally, I understand what Cecil’s kindness and care mean now.

I’m somewhat unsure how to respond.

To be honest, I already said what needed to be said that day.

Repeatedly rejecting him would only make things awkward, and in the end, we might not even be able to stay friends.

Cecil hesitated slightly, “Hope, am I making you feel pressured?”

1 squeezed my fork and, before I could speak, Cecil pondered and said, “I told you, you don’t need to respond. Just consider it as care between friends.”

“In the future, whenever you’re ready to start a new relationship, we can take it slow.” Cecil said.

My heart warmed.

If I hadn’t gone through the failed marriage with Christopher, if I were still at an age where I acted impulsively, I might have fallen deeply for these

words.

But I don’t dare to anymore..

The price of falling in love is too devastating,

I slowly released my grip, “What if that day never comes?”

Since we were already talking about this, I didn’t want to hide anything from Cecil anymore.

Seeing Cecil’s stunned expression, I put down the fork.

“Senior, what if Christopher Valence and I never get divorced? What would you do?”

“I would stay single.”

Cecil smiled helplessly, the soft light casting a glow on his head.

“To be honest, I chose to come back because I heard that your relationship with Christopher wasn’t as good as it seemed online.”

Cecil looked at me without avoiding my gaze and said self–deprecatingly, “So, does that make me a bit despicable? Always hoping for your divorce, hoping for a tiny chance.”

“How could it? Before my divorce, you never crossed any boundaries.”

I was surprised by Cecil’s honesty and, pursing my lips lightly, continued:

“But divorce doesn’t mean I still have the ability to love someone. So far, senior, you and Elissa are both very important and good friends to me.”

When I mentioned “very good friends,” the light in Cecil’s eyes dimmed a bit.

But I didn’t want to deceive Cecil.

Cecil lowered his eyelashes slightly, thought for a moment, then looked back at me gently.

“Hope, how shout we set a deadline? Maybe six months, a year, or two years. If I can’t make you fall for me by then, I give up.”

I hesitated for a long time, “Then six months.”

Elissa and I have different views on relationships, but the one thing we agree on is that we don’t believe love can grow over time.

With time, only familial affection remains.

Falling in love often happens in a moment.

Chapter 149 Setting a Deadline

If I could love him, the past years plus the next six months would be enough. If not, I don’t want to waste too much of Cecil’s time.

“Okay”

Cecil agreed happily, “Eat quickly, or it’ll get cold.”

After dinner, I walked Cecil to the door. He glanced at Jerry’s door on the other side and suddenly asked cut of nowhere, “Hope, are you close with Mr. Hammer?”

“Just okay.”

I answered truthfully without much thought, “Not great, but not bad either.”

Just like Cecil initially said, Jerry is flamboyant and unpredictable; ordinary people can’t gauge his depth.

“Alright.”

Cecil’s expression softened, “I’ll leave now, You should rest early.”

Christopher and Kimberly’s engagement party is at the beginning of next month.

And with Kimberly’s unique aesthetic, the design will take a lot of time.

I rushed for a few days and sent the initial design draft to Kimberly’s email on Friday night,

Early the next morning, before seven, someone knocked on my door chaotically.

Most people have a pattern when knocking, either two short and one long or two long and one short..

But the person outside kept knocking non–stop.

As they knocked, I even heard a familiar childhood melody.

But it didn’t stop my morning grumpiness.

Dragging my slippers, I walked out of the bedroom and opened the door in a bad mood, only to see Jerry standing at the door in a loose hoodie, his hair a bit messy.

Seeing me still in my loungewear, Jerry smirked, “Hope Royston, do you remember we need to go to Maple Valley today?”

“Of course I remember. I asked you on WhatsApp last night about the departure time, and you didn’t reply.”

Since I needed Jerry’s help to open the Maple Valley market, my morning grumpiness vanished quickly, and I even felt a bit considerate.

“I thought your schedule was messed up and wanted to let you sleep a bit longer. Why are you up so early today?”

Jerry leaned lazily against my doorframe, his eyelids drooping, “I haven’t slept yet.”

“Then go home and sleep,”

I’ll catch up on sleep too.

I’ve been busy with work and haven’t had a good night’s sleep for days.

Jerry squinted at me, “Do you want me to sleep, or do you want to sleep?”

Jerry glanced at his watch and said nonchalantly, Twenty minutes. If you’re not in front of me with your suitcase, I’ll take it as you declining this business deal.”

I snapped awake, slammed the door shut, and quickly packed my clothes in the suitcase.

Then I washed my face and brushed my teeth.

Chapter 149 Setting a Deadline

I also grabbed two pieces of bread and some yogurt from the fridge for breakfast on the road.

When I opened the door again, letty was no longer there. I took out my phone and saw a WhatsApp message he sent ten minutes ago.

[Downstairs)

Unless necessary, Jerry wouldn’t bother with extra words or punctuation.

Thats his style

I went downstairs and didn’t see Jerry’s usual sports car.

Instead, there was a Mulsanne.

The driver was waiting by the car. Seeing me, he asked politely, “Are you Ms. Royston

“Yes, I am”

“Mr. Hammer is already in the

The driver took my luggage and opened the rear door for me.

Getting in the car. I saw Jerry on the other side, wearing an eye mask and sleeping soundly.

Jaquar and Maple Valley are close, it takes less than two hours on the highway.

Seeing Jerry sleeping soundly, I finished my breakfast and couldn’t resist falling asleep in a comfortable position.

I was sleeping lightly and vaguely heard a low murmur beside me.

It was almost subconscious, and I seemed to respond.

That response jolted the awake.

I was met with Jerry’s eyes, filled with darkness and curiosity!

When I opened my eyes, I was met

Startled, I patted my chest to calm my breathing, “Why are you looking at me like that?

Undiár his usual casual demeanor, Jerry’s face was icy cold, “Did you just respond?”

Ety 1. demiranor scared me a bit, and I instinctively denied it.

slowly drove into an estate, passing through a sea of flowers and stopping in front of a French style castle villa.

It seemed that arrangements had been made, as a middle–aged man dressed as a butter was waiting at the door. When the car stopped, be approached

he

“Mi Hammer Mis Harris from the Harris family heard you were coming back today and arrived early to wait for you

|_ Jerry sermed spuite close to Kimberly’s grandmother, Claire Scott, raising an eyebrow, Mrs. Hanis is here?