When Left
CHAPTER 154

Chapter 154: He Would Be Interested In You

Whether it was announcing our marriage or orchestrating our divorce, I complied with Christopher’s wishes, believing we could finally part ways and move on with our lives. But I had never anticipated that Kimberly and Christopher would replace even my mere existence intolerable.

Fighting to control my trembling body, 1 retorted with biting sarcasm. “Then what do you mean? Are you going to tell me you never intended to marry her? Or that sending me abroad is somehow for my own good?”

What about that gunshot fired at me, or defending Kimberly in front of Claire? Was it all just a cruel joke?

I wouldn’t believe it anymore, nor did 1 dare to.

As harsh as some of Skylar and Kimberly’s words were, they carried a ring of truth. Christopher and I never belonged to the same world. Even living under the same roof, Christopher and I were like parallel lines–never meant to intersect.

Christopher paused in his movements, his grip on my back loosening slightly. He pressed his forehead against mine, his gaze piercing. In short, trust me, just one last time…

1 instinctively recoiled as if burned, but my resolve hardened as I met his gaze. Trust you for what? Trust that in three years of marriage, you wouldn’t even let me have a child?”

The words he had uttered on the day of our divorce were like a thorn, forever lodged in my heart.

Christopher’s eyes were filled with guilt and helplessness as he carefully spoke. “That sentence, I said it for…”

The door behind me suddenly rattled with a knock. “Who’s in there?”

It was Jerry’s voice, stern and unlike his usual indifferent manner,

This was the Harris family’s domain, and Terry knew Kimberly well. If he discovered us and casually informed Kimberly… Kimberly would certainly make my life miserable!

I had no desire to be mired in these issues post–divorce. I shoved Christopher, but he stood firm, lowering his voice as he probed, “What’s going on between you and Jerry Hammer?”

“What does it matter to you?” I snapped, glaring at him. “Let go of me! If Jerry Hammer sees you with me, your plan to marry Kimberly Harris is toast…”

Before I could finish, the force restraining me vanished.

Moments ago, Christopher had been eager to make me promises; now he was terrified his fiancée Kimberly would discover our encounter.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips as I watched his retreating form, feeling a familiar ache in my heart.

I turned and opened the door, meeting Jerry’s scrutinizing gaze.

Jerry’s glance flickered past me, his tone cold and incisive. “What are you doing here?”

I quickly explained, “I finished breakfast and got a bit lost. Then I suddenly needed to use the bathroom, and I saw this door open…”

Jerry didn’t press further, instead reverting to his usual nonchalant demeanor. “This isn’t a place you should be. Don’t come in again.”

I knew I shouldn’t respond, but curiosity took the upper hand. “Why?”

Jerry’s response was curt. “Unauthorized personnel are not allowed.”

His long, pale hand came to rest on the door, gently closing it and changing the lock code. The entire process was slow and meticulous, as if he feared breaking something fragile. It felt almost ritualistic.

A realization dawned on me. “Is this your little fiancée’s yard?”

Jerry’s long lashes Buttered as he shot me a glance. “You knew and still asked?”

I couldn’t help but probe further. “Have you ever thought, what if you can’t replace her?”

1/2

Chapter 154 He Would Be Interested in You

Jerry stared at me, his eyes narrowing slightly, before smirking. “Then I wouldn’t settle for anyone else, including you.”

“You’re really overthinking it,” I retorted, almost choking on his words. “Someone like you, I wouldn’t take even if you were offered to me.”

The heartbreak I had endured with Christopher was enough. From now on, I vowed to steer clear of men with lingering first loves.

Besides, who was Jerry? The sole heir of the Hammer family. As a divorced woman, how could I ever dream of fitting into his world?

“Mr. Hammer, Ms. Royston,” the butler puffed, having run over in evident distress. Tve been looking for you everywhere, Mrs. Harris was just asking for you.”

When Jerry and I returned to Claire’s yard, we found Christopher and Kimberly already there.

Kimberly was on edge, teetering on the brink of a breakdown. “Are you really not attending our engagement party?”

Claire responded calmly, “An occasion as significant as this calls for the presence of your parents ”

As she noticed my entrance, Claire waved me over and casually proclaimed, Tm too old to enjoy such lively events.”

I nodded slightly and approached her. Claire took my hand and settled me beside her.

Kimberly, her hands trembling with barely contained fury, nearly shattered her coffee cup. “What about Bella Harris’s engagement party then?”

Claire didn’t answer her directly, instead remarking, “Since you were little, you’ve always liked comparing yourself to Bella.‘

The implication was clear. Bella, another daughter of the Harris family, was Claire’s biological granddaughter, sharing a portion of her blood. Of course, Claire would attend Bella’s engagement.

Kimberly wasn’t oblivious; she understood and voiced her resentment. “How could I not compare myself to her? Ever since I was a child, even the servants would mention how clever and mischievous Bella Harris was! But no matter how good she was, she’s long gone. Why can’t you praise me

more….

Before she could finish, Jerry picked up a coffee cup and splashed warm coffee all over her.

Jerry’s actions were far from gentlemanly, but his expression was unapologetically fierce. “Kimberly Harris, what right do you have to compare yourself to her? The only reason you can stand here and speak is because of her.”

With a single sentence, Jerry crushed Kimberly’s spirit beneath the weight of his words.

His implication was clear: “You’re nothin

nothing but a cheap imitation. How dare you compare yourself to the genuine article?”

Christopher, who once had my back, quickly moved to stand in front of Kimberly, his demeanor frosty, “Mr. Hammer, she’s still my Dancée.”

“Is that so?” Jerry’s chuckle was laced with a dark undertone. “If she actually has the ability to marry into the Valence family, then maybe, just maybe, she would warrant some respect from me.”

Christopher’s eyes narrowed, understanding Jerry’s veiled insult. Before Kimberly could grasp the full extent of his words, Christopher sought to defuse the tension. “Whether or not you respect her is unimportant.”

“Oh, really?” Jerry’s gaze swept over me before fixing on Kimberly with a barely perceptible smirk. “Do you really think he can look up to you?”