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Chapter 52
Juliette dragged someone toward Valerie’s room in a hurry. She shut the door behind them with caution, not daring to turn on the fight.“) said I’d help you, and I will. But the banquet hasn’t even started yet—I can’t risk anyone seeing you.”
Valerie instinctively shrank back behind the curtain, holding her breath and making herself as small as possible.
Then came a voice–clear, familiar, and devastatingly soft. “Why? Am I that shameful?”
There was a trace of bitterness beneath the calmness, a quiet sorrow that pierced Valerie to her core.
It was Nelson Hall–the man who, in her past life, had been utterly destroyed because of her stupidity.
“Of course not,” Juliette hurriedly said. “Nelson, you know how complicated things are right now. Valerie’s hands are tied. This is all her idea. Just trust us, okay? I promise, she’ll see you tonight. She told me herself–she misses you terribly.”
Valerie, hidden in the dark, clenched her fists. Every word Juliette uttered was a lie, and she longed to storm out and slap her.
But some lies… were dangerously believable.
“Really?” Nelson’s voice trembled with hope. “I knew it… I knew Vaterie couldn’t have stopped loving me. I just knew it…”
Juliette, pleased with his response, kept weaving her web. “Of course. You were her only boyfriend. The only one she’s ever loved. But you know how it is -she’s only a foster daughter in the Clark family. She couldn’t betray them. That’s why she had to marry that devil. You must have heard of him–he’s vicious and has a terrible reputation. She’s suffering, Nelson. That’s why you need to be patient. For her.”
Nelson’s eyes closed, pain carving deep lines into his face. “I understand.”
“Good.” Juliette’s tone turned gentle. “Now find somewhere to hide. I have to go. Just make sure no one sees you–Valerie would be the one to suffer if you’re found.”
Nelson forced a bitter smile. “Guess I really am someone to be hidden.”
“Don’t think like that,” Juliette replied, already on her way out.
“Alright,” he said.
As the door clicked shut behind her, Valerie remained still, watching from the shadows.
A cold wind slipped in through the balcony, making her shiver.
She’d been out there too long–any more, and she’d catch a cold.
She stepped quietly back into the room–only to run straight into a solid chest.
Startled, Valerie backed away on reflex, heart leaping into her throat.
Before her stood a man in a crisp, white suit, clean and polished from head to toe.
His gold–rimmed glasses perched delicately on his/nose, lending a gentle, scholarly air to his refined features. Pale skin, soft presence–he looked every inch the perfect gentleman.
She hadn’t expected to run into him again, least of all here, like this.
Nelson froze as well, staring at her in disbelief.
In the moonlight, Valerie stood draped in a pale ice–blue gown, ethereal and untouchable. She looked like a fallen angel, and his heart clenched.
1/3
Chapter 52
Valerie… Nelson choked out, joy and heartbreak flooding his voice as he rushed forward to hug her. “Valerie, it’s really you… it’s really you.
Her nose stung. Regret, guilt, sorrow—all came crashing down.
In her past life, after Aiden had caught them together, Nelson’s legs were shattered. She’d never seen him again.
Rumor had it he’d eventually been accepted by his biological family and become a wealthy heir, but he had spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
Now, as his arms wrapped around her, Valerie’s heart twisted with emotion. Her voice trembled. “Nelson…”
Nelson clung to her, head resting against her shoulder like a lost child finally finding home. “It’s me… I missed you so much, Valerie…
Tears prickled in her eyes, but reason returned quickly. She pushed him away. “Nelson, listen to me.”
His eyes were red–rimmed, his expression filled with desperate affection, like a loyal puppy begging not to be abandoned.
Valerie’s chest ached at the sight. She turned her head to avoid his gaze. “I’m married.”
She raised her hand to show the wedding band on her ring finger.
Nelson flinched as though struck, but forced a smile. “I know. Juliette told me. But I also know you were forced-”
“It wasn’t forced,” Valerie interrupted coldly. “I chose it.”
The fake warmth vanished from Nelson’s face. He grabbed her hand. “No. No, you couldn’t have. You only did it out of duty–you didn’t even know the man. How could you possibly love him? I’m the one you love, Valerie. You love me.”
Valerie pulled her hand back. Her tone turned frosty. “People change, Nelson. I was just a kid when we were together. I didn’t know what love was. I didn’t know what it meant to like someone. Now I do. I’m married–and I love my husband.”
“No…” Nelson murmured in disbelief. “I know what you’re going through. I know everything, Valerie. Don’t say things like this–it’s killing me…”
“I mean it,” she said, shutting her eyes for a moment before speaking with finality. “Forget me, Nelson. I’m someone else’s wife now. My husband is wealthy. This is the life I’ve always dreamed of–and you can’t give it to me.”
Nelson stared at her, stunned.
He couldn’t believe she would say something this harsh.
‘Money. That’s all she cared about?‘ he thought.
His heart cracked. “If anyone else had said that to me, I might’ve believed them. But not you, Valerie. Never you.”
“Believe what you want.” Valerie’s voice was like ice. “I’m leaving.”
“Valerie…” he tried to grab her again.
Her phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID and her stomach dropped. “It’s my husband.”
She answered the call, trying to keep her composure. “Hello?”
“Where are you?” came Aiden’s voice.
“I’m…”
“Hmm? I thought I heard your voice.”
Chapter 52
The same words echoed from the door outside. The handle turned.
Valerie’s blood ran cold. Her entire body stiffened. Aiden… was here.
