Chapter 200
I'd just been through a miscarriage and fallen into the sea. Leopold, worried about my health, specifically arranged for a comprehensive medical examination.
While waiting for the results, I found an opportunity to call Ethan.
"Cindy, how are you? Is Leopold giving you a hard time because of me again? Don't be afraid—tell me where you are, and I'll come rescue you right away."
His voice was full of worry and anxiety.
I softened my tone. "Ethan, has Arnold returned to the country?"
"Yes, he's back. What's wrong?" Ethan's tone grew tense.
I stood by the window, gazing outside. "Ethan, I saw Jason today. He said the reason my baby had abnormalities was because there was something wrong with the medication I was taking."
"But all the medication I took went through Arnold's hands, and Arnold is your person."
"Cindy, you can't trust what Jason says. He's deliberately trying to drive a wedge between us." Ethan spoke angrily. "Besides, Arnold is a world-class neurological and orthopedic specialist. He's not employed by any institution or individual. There's absolutely no way he'd give you problematic medication."
His explanation made sense.
A top global expert wouldn't stoop to such things.
I didn't pursue the topic further and got straight to my purpose. "Ethan, considering the current circumstances, I've decided to give up the position with the Royal Ballet. Please convey my apologies."
"That's the opportunity you've been waiting four years for. Why would you suddenly give it up?" Ethan was clearly flustered. "If you're worried about your health, I can negotiate more time for you..."
"No need." I refused flatly. "Ethan, I'm truly grateful you were able to negotiate so much time for me. But I can't dance right now. Even if I took the position, I'd just be causing trouble for everyone. Let's just forget it."
Ethan still wouldn't give up. "You don't need to feel burdened. The Royal Ballet's willingness to wait isn't because of me—it's because they recognize your abilities."
"Plus, they value talent, which is why they're willing to compromise."
I still held to my decision. "Ethan, you don't need to persuade me. I've made up my mind. If there's another opportunity in the future, I'll still fight for it."
Ethan grew anxious. "Are you giving up because of Leopold? He's not worth such a sacrifice. Cindy, the world is vast. You don't need to waste so much emotion on him."
"If you're willing, I could also..."
"Ethan!" Hearing him about to say something he shouldn't, I quickly interrupted. "This is entirely my personal decision. It has nothing to do with anyone else. Please respect that."
Ethan was silent for a long while before saying, "Alright. I respect your decision."
After hanging up, I didn't immediately go back inside. I continued standing at the window, looking at the sky outside.
It wasn't much different from when I'd first come here over a decade ago—still that brilliant, vibrant blue.
Only this time, my state of mind was different.
Before, it had been anticipation and joy. Now it was frustration and anxiety.
I still remembered the pain of losing the baby.
Trapped in that anguish, I couldn't perform stunning choreography.
Rather than face doubt, I'd rather quietly recuperate and wait for a better time.
When I returned to the room, Leopold still hadn't come back.
But Amelia had woken up.
Seeing me, she immediately waved. "Cindy."
I hurried over. Looking at the injuries on her face, I couldn't help feeling distressed.
"I'm sorry. Did you call me before? I didn't know it was you, so I didn't answer. If I'd picked up then, you wouldn't have suffered so much..."
"It's not your fault." Amelia was gracious. "I wasn't careful enough, which is how Jason found me."
"But it's actually good you changed your number and didn't answer. That's why Jason didn't hurt me—otherwise I might not have lasted until you and Leopold came to rescue me."
But her explanation didn't lighten my mood. It only made me feel heavier.
"At the end of the day, you were still implicated because of me. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been targeted."
Amelia looked shocked. "This has nothing to do with you. It's that bitch Sophia's fault."
I was slightly stunned. "Sophia?"
"Yeah." Amelia got angry just mentioning it. "Jason is her ex-boyfriend, right? I happened to catch them meeting, so Sophia wanted to silence me."
"Who knew Leopold was conducting a citywide manhunt for Jason at that exact time, so he didn't succeed. To save his own life, he took me hostage from Silverlight City to Gravenford Kingdom."
"Who told you that you were implicated because of me? Was it Leopold?"
I nodded lightly. "He said you were targeted by Jason because you came to the hospital to see me, and that to avoid exposing me, you deliberately led Jason away."
Amelia immediately denied it. "That's a misunderstanding."
Perhaps realizing that didn't sound quite right either, she added, "It's not Leopold's fault. He hasn't seen Sophia since, so he doesn't know what she's been up to."
"But he definitely didn't say that on purpose. Please don't misunderstand him."
Seeing her alarmed expression, I couldn't help smiling. "I understand. Don't worry, I won't easily doubt him."
Amelia's expression finally relaxed. Then, with curiosity written all over her face, she pressed me, "I heard the misunderstanding between you and Leopold has been cleared up, and now that you had a baby together, have you two reconciled?"
At the mention of the baby, my heart stabbed painfully.
"The baby's gone."
Amelia covered her mouth in shock. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know..."
I shook my head gently. "It's okay. The baby was accidentally miscarried. But it had abnormalities anyway. It couldn't have been kept."
Amelia squeezed my hand in sympathy. "Cindy, don't be sad. Babies understand their mothers best. It must have been afraid you'd be upset, so it chose to leave first rather than make you decide."
Her words comforted me.
My nose stung with tears. "Really? You don't think it would blame me for not protecting it?"
"Of course not," Amelia answered with certainty. "It definitely knows how much you cared. Right now, it's probably looking forward to a second chance to be your child."
Tears streamed down my face.
I couldn't control them. I could only embrace her, choking out, "Thank you, Amelia."
The moment I fell into the sea, I really wanted to follow the baby's path to heaven.
If Leopold hadn't appeared and forcibly saved me, I wouldn't be here now.
Hearing her say this made me realize I'd been wrong.
The baby had tried so hard not to make me sad, was looking forward to a second chance—how could I bear to disappoint it?
Ten minutes later, my emotions finally settled.
That heavy, oppressive feeling in my chest finally lifted.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
The next moment, Leopold walked in carrying a report.
"It's about time. We should head back."
"Okay, I'll get ready."
Amelia agreed immediately, but I was unwilling.
"You two go back. I'm staying in Gravenford Kingdom."
Amelia looked surprised. "Cindy, you're not coming with us?"
Leopold's expression darkened. "This isn't up for discussion."
Anger rose from my heart. I was about to say something.
Before I could get the words out, my head felt like it had been stabbed with a needle. The pain was excruciating.