Chapter 135
My face filled with shock, so much so that I forgot to struggle.
"What did you say?"
I couldn't believe it.
Leopold's word had always been absolute—he never went back on what he said.
And Sophia had always been his first love.
Besides, he knew about Leo and me. How could he possibly ask me to get back together?
I must have misheard.
But Leopold turned his head, burying his face in my hair, enunciating each word clearly. "I said, let's leave all the bad things in the past behind us. Let's start over."
My breathing hitched, my heartbeat completely losing its rhythm.
This time, I'd heard him perfectly.
He wanted to start over with me.
But starting over—how could it be that easy?
In just a few breaths, countless reasons to refuse flooded my mind.
Yet I couldn't voice a single one.
After struggling for a long moment, all I managed was one meaningless question.
"Why?"
Leopold took a deep breath, his voice sounding like it had been scraped by sandpaper—hoarse and heartbreaking.
"Because I never let you go."
My chest tightened. It took a while before I found my voice again.
"No, you're mistaken."
"You're just influenced by what your grandfather said."
"You probably just want to put his mind at ease, so you're making this offer."
"No."
Leopold tightened his hold again, as if trying to meld me into his very bones.
"No, Grandpa's words did influence me somewhat, but I'm very clear about my own feelings."
"I want to be with you. Every single day, every single moment—I'm going crazy wanting it."
How could that be possible?
I didn't dare believe it.
"What about Sophia and her child?"
"I'll make her leave the villa. I'll compensate her some other way."
My thoughts scattered. "But I have a boyfriend now. And haven't you always suspected there's something going on between my senior and me?"
Leopold released me, holding my face in both hands, his gaze calm and serious.
"None of that matters."
"I cared about those things because I was angry—angry that you seemed to value Ethan more than me."
"Because whenever he appeared, you couldn't see me anymore. Like I was just some optional presence in your life."
Leopold had never said any of this to me before.
I had no idea he'd been thinking this way.
My head was buzzing. I didn't know where to begin.
"Cindy, I've been thinking a lot lately. You were there for me through the hardest times. I thought you'd never leave me."
"But when you agreed to cancel the engagement and moved out of the villa, leaving my world, I discovered every day was agony."
"That pain was several times worse than tolerating Ethan's presence."
"As long as you promise to stay by my side forever, I can overlook everything that happened before. I'm willing to make it up to you many times over."
"Say yes. Please?"
My nose stung with an acidic ache, tears already pooling in my eyes.
He could have explained so many times over the years.
But he never did.
He knew how much I loved him, yet he still used Sophia to hurt me.
Even now, he still believed something was going on between Ethan and me.
I couldn't accept this kind of love, riddled with so many cracks.
"Leopold, it's too late."
"I already have a boyfriend..."
He cupped my face and kissed me forcefully.
The kiss was searing and domineering, as if he wanted me to feel the intensity of his love through it.
But all I could see in my mind was Leo's face.
I'd already tasted betrayal. I would never make Leo into another version of myself.
After struggling desperately to no avail, I bit down hard on his lip.
Leopold flinched in pain, forced to release me.
I quickly opened the car door, escaping from his embrace and practically fleeing the vehicle.
Swallowing the metallic taste in my mouth, I looked at him through the car window, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
"Leopold, I can't forgive your betrayal. So you should just stay with Sophia and be a good father."
After saying that, I didn't dare look at him again and fled in panic.
Once I was sure Leopold wasn't following, I found a random place to rest.
My mom, Fanny, suddenly called.
"Cindy, I heard Mr. Donovan Percy is in critical condition. Is that true?"
Hearing Fanny's voice, I couldn't hold back and burst into tears.
Fanny was very worried about me and spent a long time comforting me before I finally stopped crying.
I told her about Donovan's condition.
Fanny sighed. "So Mr. Donovan Percy is in serious danger this time. Since we can't see him, I won't go disturb them for the next couple of days. Don't want to add to their troubles."
"Okay. I won't come home for the next couple of days either. You and Dad take care of yourselves."
Fanny was still worried. "Should I come stay with you for a couple of days? I'm afraid you won't take care of yourself properly."
I quickly refused. "I'm fine. I'm not a kid anymore—I can take care of myself."
Leo was still around. It wouldn't be convenient if they came.
Fanny asked about going abroad. "Your dad can finish arranging his work by next week at the latest. Will that work with your timeline?"
I froze, Leopold's plea to get back together flashing through my mind again.
I closed my eyes, pushing those thoughts away.
"Yes, we can leave together then."
This was my last chance. I didn't want to have any more regrets.
After putting down my phone, I looked up at the sky.
The pure blue gradually calmed my chaotic heart.
As I was preparing to return to Bayview Villas, Ethan called.
"Cindy, I need to talk to you. Can you come see me?"
Leopold's words surfaced in my mind again.
That car accident—was it really an accident, or was it staged?
I honestly couldn't tell anymore.
"Ethan, I might not have time. I'll find a chance to visit you later."
"Cindy..."
Before he could finish, I hung up.
I'd originally wanted to ask Amelia to recommend a reliable private investigator, but remembering how loose-lipped she was, Leopold could easily get information out of her.
I had to give up on that idea.
After running through everyone I knew without finding a suitable candidate, I suddenly noticed a private investigator's office nearby and walked right in.
After a thorough discussion and agreeing that he'd report progress once a week, I paid him a deposit.
The next day, Amelia came to find me, saying she was feeling restless and wanted me to go hiking with her.
Leo hadn't come home last night. I hadn't had a chance to tell him about Donovan yet, and I was also feeling troubled.
"Sure, let's go together."
Silverlight City's mountains weren't high, but they were known for their beautiful scenery and stunning views.
After a full three hours, we finally reached the summit.
From up here, the forest spread out before us like a vast green treasure trove, all kinds of trees lush and flourishing with thick foliage.
"It's been so long since I went hiking. This really did lift my spirits. Come on, let's take a selfie together."
Amelia pulled me to sit on the railing for a photo.
After taking it, I smiled in agreement. "Yeah, after staying in the city for so long, I almost forgot how big and beautiful the world is."
Amelia caught the underlying meaning in my words. "Cindy, you're still planning to go abroad?"
I didn't hide it. "Yes, I'm planning to leave by the end of the month."
Amelia pressed her lips together. After a moment, she said, "Okay. Then I wish you success in reaching your dream stage."
"Thank you. Whenever you miss me, just come visit me in Gravenford Kingdom." I smiled and patted her shoulder.
It was getting late, so we stood up to head back down the mountain.
But just as I got up, my foot suddenly slipped. I lost my balance completely and fell backward toward the steep slope behind me!