when she left he went crazy (Hope and Christopher)

Chapter 166: You Kicked Him Pretty Hard Just Now

I stiffened all over, a mix of surprise and trepidation immobilizing me. Our parting had been less than dignified, laden with too many awkward moments for me to converse calmly with Christopher post-divorce.

In my mind, our separation was definitive-we each needed to navigate our own paths without entangling further.

Composing myself, I looked at Christopher with an impassive expression and asked, "Why are you here?"

With a flick of his long fingers, Christopher brushed the ash from his cigarette. A rare g came to find you."

I raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Why?"

glimmer of warmth saftened his otherwise cold demeanor. "I

His gaze was penetrating, Inced with an uncharacteristic certainty. "I want to reconcile. Hope, our past worries are behind us. You can be Mrs. Valence again."

For a moment, his words left me stunned, their absurdity sinking in slowly. Did Christopher genuinely think he could summon me back as easily as calling back a stray dog?

Anger bubbled up within me, and my voice sharpened involuntarily. "Are you here because you're bankrupt and Kimberly Harris no longer finds you a suitable malch?"

Christopher appeared taken aback, then his tone softened. "Hope, the reason I did that was because-

"It doesn't matter why." I interrupted, unable to hold back. "Do you think our issues were solely caused by your engagement with her? Did we decide to divorce only after she appeared?" Christopher's usual facade of arrogance crumbled slightly, his voice mure tender. "I know, I misunderstood, thinking you liked Cecil Lewis instead of

me...

"It wasn't a misunderstanding, I retorted, my words cutting deep. "If I had known from the start that Cecil was the one who helped me, I might not have fallen for him, but I certainly wouldn't have fallen for you." The delusion that Christopher was my savior had given me the courage to draw near him, blindsiding me to his true nature.

His tall frame visibly stiffened, his blue eyes displaying a rare vulnerability. So you only liked me because of that incident?

1 clenched my fists. "Yes!"

If it hadn't been for that incident, Christopher and I would have remained strangers our entire lives. He'd be an immaculate moon in the sky, and I would be just one among many gazing up at it from the mud." As the words left my mouth, I reached for the fingerprint lock, opening the door to my apartment. I thought the clarity of my rejection would be enough for someone as proud as Christopher to leave.

But as soon as I turned on the light, Christopher, exuding an icy desperation, grabbed me from behind. He spun me around, attempting to a force and urgency that spoke of a man trying to reclaim lost ground. Humiliation surged through me. My hands were pinned, and in a burst of self-preservation, I kneed him between the legs.

me with

Christopher's body jolted, his face contorting in pain. He gasped, eyes glaring dangerously. True to his hurtful nature, he sneered, "Can't even touch you now, huh? Or has Jerry Hammer been protecting you so well you've developed feelings for him too? Wake up, Hope..."

"Christopher Valence, I've never been so clear-headed!" My voice trembled with fury, my chest heaving, eyes aflame with hatred.

I shouted, "What right do you have to question me? When we were still married, you and Evelyn Valence were so intimate. Now that we're divorced, even if I have something with Jerry Hammer, it's none of your business!"

Christopher's expression faltered, then he seemed to regain composure. "Sorry... I just want to start over

with yo

"Why?" I asked coldly, fixing him with a steely gaze. 'Christopher Valence, ask yourself, why do you want to start over with me?"

Chapter 166. You Kicked Him Pretty Hard Just Now

In the past, I had believed every word he said, and it left me shattered. Now, I was wide awake and resolute not to repeat the same mistakes. Christopher's thin lips pressed together. "Because....."

I cut him off with a sarcastic smile. "Because you're used to winning. You just can't stand not getting what you want."

I'd never believed in those stories where people only realized they were deeply in love after a breakup.

"No." Christopher's denial was resolute, his blue eyes swirling with intensity, trying to draw me in. "I can't live without you, Hope. I'm used to you being there, the empty house suddenly coming to life when you call my name, you waiting for me no matter how late."

It was just habit, only habit. Like missing a doll that had always been on your pillow, suddenly gone, causing withdrawal symptoms.

I took a deep breath, suppressing my anger, and mocked, "So just because you're not used to it, I have to start over with you? Christopher Valence, I've had enough! Being Mrs. Valence was fun before, but now that you're bankrupt, what's in it for me?"

Christopher frowned slightly. "I'm bankrupt?"

1 sneered, aiming to wound. "They don't want you anymore, and you think I'm a landfill that'll always be here for your garbage?"

Christopher's long eyelashes trembled, and when he looked at me again, his eyes were cold, his eyes were cold, but the sockets were red, his voice tinged with sarcasm and obsession.

So, if one day I become the esteemed "Mr. Valence again, will you consider being with me?' he asked.

"Maybe," I replied nonchalantly.

A company in ruins couldn't be easily restored. No matter what, I just wanted to sever ties completely.

Christopher was silent for a moment, then his lips curled into a twisted smile. He raised his hand, his fingertips almost obsessively tracing my cheek. "Hope, remember your answer." Then, he withdrew his hand and strode away decisively.

As the elevator doors closed behind him, the area plunged into silence, as if the confrontation had been nothing but a dream.

leaned against the door, slowly calming my breath, and straightened my clothes that Christopher had messed up

But something felt off. I instinctively glanced towards the other end of the corridor. There was Jerry, leaning against the door frame, arms crossed, a look of amusement on his face. When our eyes met, he showed no remorse for eavesdropping and even raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Looks like your knee's healed? You kicked him pretty hard just now."

I rolled my eyes and glared at him. "Jerry Hammer, what would happen if you didn't eavesdrop?"

Unperturbed, Jerry retorted, "I'm at my own home. You two are the ones who disregard privacy"

I was ready to dismiss him and shut the door when he suddenly spoke, "I have a way to ensure you and Christopher cut ties completely."

I hesitated. "What way?"

Jerry's grin turned playful, but his tone was earnest. "Be with me."

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