Chapter 217

Hearing footsteps, he turned his head slightly and gave Victoria his signature warm smile, though it couldn't hide the deep exhaustion in his eyes.

Victoria walked over slowly and sat down next to him. "Just came from the hospital?"

"Yeah."

He stubbed out his cigarette and looked at her, his eyes glimmering with tiny sparks. "My dad collapsed this afternoon. My mom was crying so hard she couldn't even stand."

He spoke lightly, with a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips.

Samuel never thought he would face a choice between family and love.

He had always been the prodigy artist, sailing through life without much trouble.

It wasn't until Elmer fell seriously ill that he realized it wasn't his own brilliance but Elmer's support that allowed him to pursue his passions without worry.

Now, with Elmer down, it was his turn to support his parents, and he finally understood how hard it had been for them all these years.

Victoria's heart tightened painfully.

She gazed at him, then suddenly raised her hand and gently hugged him.

Samuel closed his eyes tightly, wrapping his arms around her with force, his voice choked with emotion. "Victoria, I'm sorry."

When Victoria returned home, Alvin was sitting on the couch, smoking.

"Where's Samuel?"

"He's gone."

Alvin just sat there quietly, looking at her with a pained expression.

Victoria walked over slowly, gently took Alvin's arm, and rested her head on his shoulder. After a long silence, she murmured softly, "Why does it still hurt so much?"

Alvin's eyes narrowed sharply, but he just extended his arm and pulled Victoria into a tight embrace.

Victoria nestled in Alvin's arms, closing her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks and soaked into her clothes.

Alvin's embrace was warm and broad.

But her heart ached.

She understood Samuel deeply, and she wasn't surprised they had reached this point.

Even without Elmer's sudden illness, there might have been other reasons forcing them to face separation.

Seeing Victoria like this, Alvin's eyes flashed with determination. "Do you want me to go talk to him?"

Like any father who loves his daughter, Alvin was certain that Victoria had been wronged and that the fault lay with someone else!

Victoria looked up, a hint of helplessness in her eyes, and a slightly bitter smile on her lips. "Dad, it's not his fault. He's always tried so hard to be close to me. If anything, I owe him."

Her smile gradually faded, replaced by a look of loneliness.

Maybe people were like this: they only realized the value of something after it had gone, and then started to miss it deeply.

At this moment, memories of Samuel's kindness flooded her mind-their every interaction, his devoted care, selfless affection, unwavering support, and constant encouragement.

Shielding her from all harm and gossip.

She hadn't realized that she had developed a special feeling for him, a feeling different from love.

Maybe even she couldn't be sure if it was romantic love, but it had quietly taken root in her heart.

The more she thought about it, the stronger her guilt grew. Even though Samuel had been the one to suggest the breakup, she still felt she owed him too much.

The news of Samuel and Hannah's engagement came on three days later, with the ceremony set for the weekend.

It came suddenly, yet it made sense.

Even Wendy, who had been absent for a while, couldn't help but call Victoria.

"My uncle got an invitation from the Wright family. That's how I found out Samuel and Hannah are getting engaged."

"Yeah, I know." Victoria's tone was particularly calm. "If you're free that day, you should go and have some fun. Don't stay cooped up at home all the time."

"Victoria, are you okay?"

"What could be wrong? We talked it out and broke up amicably. Besides, we didn't have much going on anyway."

Victoria was in the library, studying for exams that were just a week away. She had been focusing most of her energy on her studies.

"I heard about Samuel's family situation too. He must be really upset. But he has no choice because of his father." Wendy instinctively defended Samuel.

She had always supported Victoria and Samuel being together, but fate had other plans.

"Victoria, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what?"

"If Samuel came back to you, would you take him back?"

Wendy wasn't just asking casually. She believed that Samuel was so devoted to Victoria that he wouldn't give up easily.

Victoria lowered her gaze slightly, looking out at the bustling street outside the window. She spoke softly, "He won't, and neither will I."

Wendy could only sigh and say no more.

When Hannah walked in, she saw Victoria calmly gazing out the window, looking as beautiful as a delicate painting.

She stood at the door for a moment before walking over and sitting down in front of Victoria.

Victoria looked up, surprised to see Hannah. After a pause, she said calmly, "Ms. Wright, what can I do for you?"

Hannah got straight to the point. "Ms. Carter, I hope you can make time this weekend to attend my and Samuel's engagement party."

With that, she elegantly took an invitation from her bag and gently slid it across the table.

Victoria looked at Hannah, feeling a bit strange. "Ms. Wright, why are you inviting me?"

Hannah smiled slightly, her tone generous. "I know you and Samuel were once a couple, and I understand why he agreed to marry me. But that's all in the past. What's important is the future, and that's us being together. So, I hope you can attend our engagement party, to witness it and to formally say goodbye to him."

Victoria understood her meaning and nodded. "Ms. Wright, don't worry. Since we've broken up, I won't interfere."

"Then you should come and give your blessings in person!" Hannah said.

If it weren't for Hannah's sincere expression, her words would have sounded like a deliberate provocation.

Victoria found the request a bit unreasonable. She had agreed to part ways amicably, so why insist she attend?

Seeing Victoria's displeasure, Hannah was silent for a moment before speaking slowly. "Ms. Carter, can you understand how I feel? I just want to fully have him, without him lingering in the past. I know he liked you a lot, so can you help me make sure he lets go completely?"