Chapter 137
This spot wasn't that high, but below was nothing but jagged rocks. If he fell, the consequences would be catastrophic!
At the critical moment, Leopold's fingers dug deep into a narrow crack, using the leverage to stabilize himself.
But his index and middle finger nails were pried back by the unforgiving stone.
Blood immediately gushed out.
Rain washed over it, carving a horrifying crimson trail down the rock face.
"Leopold, get down from there!"
Leopold didn't listen.
He only paused, took a deep breath, and hauled himself up again with sheer force, continuing his climb toward me.
Every time he reached up, he left a wet, bloody handprint on the rock.
Every time he pushed off, loose stones tumbled down with soft, ominous sounds.
But he didn't retreat—stubbornly closing the distance between us.
As if the freezing rain and mortal danger simply didn't exist.
My vision blurred again, my throat aching with unshed tears.
Each bloody handprint seared into my heart like a red-hot brand.
Finally, he reached me.
"Why are you crying?"
I stared at his mangled hands, my voice hoarse. "It's not worth it. You and I—we're nothing to each other anymore..."
Leopold reached out like he wanted to touch me, then pulled back.
"Give me your hand."
His voice was calm, brooking no argument.
I released my grip on the rope and reached for him.
This time, he caught my hand in a firm grip and pulled hard, bringing me right in front of him.
"Lucinda, everything I said last night was the truth."
Those words scorched my heart.
I didn't know how to respond.
Leopold didn't seem to care. With one hand holding mine and the other gripping the rock, his back pressed against the cliff face, he strained to pull me sideways.
I watched the veins bulge in his neck, every muscle in his face drawn taut.
My heart ached with a burning intensity.
Why did it have to be now?
If only it had been sooner.
After five attempts, the rope finally cleared the rock.
He gripped the line and gave it a hard tug.
The people above responded with a testing pull—all clear.
"Lucinda, please think carefully about what I said. Will you?"
Leopold's request came out barely above a whisper.
I couldn't help asking, "Why?"
Leopold looked up at me, his eyes burning with an intensity that could melt me.
"Because I'm terrified of a life without you."
My heartbeat went haywire. I stared at him, completely speechless.
Finally reaching the clifftop, the rescue team scrambled to pull me over and unhook me.
"Cindy, thank God you're okay!"
Amelia rushed over from the side and threw her arms around me.
"You have no idea how scared I was when I saw you fall!"
I listened to Amelia's residual terror, gently patting her back. "I'm fine now. Thank you for getting help."
"Don't thank me! We're best friends!" As Amelia spoke, she patted my back.
I couldn't suppress a sharp intake of breath.
"What's wrong? I didn't hit you that hard." Amelia's face filled with panic.
I explained, "My back's scraped up."
Hearing that, Amelia immediately opened her mouth to call for Brady.
I quickly stopped her. "It's not urgent. Leopold's injured, too. We can both go to the hospital together in a bit."
"What?" Amelia's eyes widened as she rushed toward the cliff edge.
I followed.
Just then, Leopold was being hauled up.
Our eyes met.
He was soaked through, his lips pale from exertion and cold—but his eyes remained sharp and penetrating.
I looked away, inadvertently catching sight of his mangled, bloody hands.
My heart clenched painfully.
"What are you standing around for? Let's get to the hospital."
At Leopold's command, Amelia quickly directed people to handle the cleanup, then volunteered to drive us to the hospital.
"Let's go."
Leopold gestured for me to get in first.
I glanced at him, emotions still churning inside.
But in the end, I said nothing and climbed into the car.
The moment the car started moving, Leopold motioned for me to turn around. "Let me see your injury."
I instinctively clutched my jacket tighter. "It's fine. We can deal with it at the hospital."
Leopold's brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't insist.
Soon, the car arrived at the hospital.
Leopold and I were both escorted into the outpatient clinic to have our wounds treated.
Leopold absolutely refused to get his injuries treated first—he had to stay with me.
I couldn't argue with him, so I gave in.
"Remove your top so I can assess the wounds."
I followed the doctor's instructions, removing my jacket until I was down to just my camisole.
"Good news—these are all superficial wounds. Nothing deep."
The doctor began treating my injuries.
When it hurt, I quickly bit my lip to keep from making a sound.
"Doctor, go easy. She has a low pain tolerance."
Leopold's words made me instinctively turn to look at him.
If he knew I couldn't handle pain, why had he let me hurt for so many years?
Not wanting him to read my thoughts, I silently released my lip.
After the treatment finished, I needed a good while before I could stand up.
After Leopold discussed wound care instructions with the doctor, he turned and left.
I was caught off guard—I'd assumed he'd want me to stay while he got treated.
"Cindy, your face looks even paler than when you came in. Are you in a lot of pain?"
Amelia had been waiting outside. Seeing me emerge, she immediately fussed over me.
"The doctor said the wounds aren't deep." I glanced down the hallway. "Where's Leopold?"
"He went to get his injuries treated. He told us to wait here." Amelia pulled me to sit in a chair. "You have no idea how terrifying Leopold's expression was when he found out about your accident. I genuinely thought I'd have to atone with my life."
"Is it really that dramatic?" I didn't believe her.
"I'm serious!" Amelia nodded earnestly. "Leopold was in a really important meeting when he found out you'd fallen off the cliff. He canceled it immediately and rushed to the mountain with his people."
"From afternoon until night, he didn't stop for a single moment—not until he found you."
"I've never seen Leopold so panicked."
I sat there in stunned silence, unable to respond.
Amelia squeezed my hand. "Cindy, I'm not telling you this to pressure you into getting back with Leopold. I just want you to know—he cares about you more than you think."
"Maybe things between him and Sophia aren't what they appear to be."
My heart jolted as I remembered how he'd repeatedly denied that the child was his.
By the time Leopold finished getting his wounds treated, it was quite late.
Not wanting to intrude on Leopold and me, Amelia arranged for a driver to take us home.
Throughout the entire ride, Leopold didn't say a word—quietly and somewhat awkwardly handling work on his laptop.
When the car stopped in front of Bayview Villas, I hesitated, wanting to speak.
Leopold noticed, closed his laptop, and looked at me.
"You have something you want to say?"
I nodded hesitantly. "About tonight, I... I..."
"Lucinda."
Leopold gently interrupted me, using his bandaged hand to lightly trace my brow and eyes.
"Don't feel pressured. Everything tonight—I did it willingly. You don't need to feel guilty or blame yourself."
My nose stung as tears welled in my eyes.
The bloody handprints left on the cliff face, his words about being terrified of a life without me—it all made my heart burn again.
"Leopold..."
The moment I said his name, every defense I'd built around my heart completely crumbled.