Chapter 83

Cynthia looked at Filip with a faint smile. “How do you plan to make up for it?”

A glimmer of hope ignited in Filip’s eyes. He carefully took her hand and hesitantly said, “Cynthia, can we start over?” His voice was pleading and humble, yet a hint of hope shone in his eyes.

Cynthia slowly withdrew her hand, watching the hope in his eyes shatter. “Filip, what makes you think that just because you turn back, I should be waiting?”

Filip’s face darkened.

“And what makes you think I’d abandon Jonathan for you? Your arrogance and ignorance?” Cynthia asked.

Filip’s expression grew ugly. “Cynthia, I know you won’t forgive me. I’m not arrogant with you; I’m insecure.” She never knew how insecure he truly was.

He knew his words were too much, that the resentment of the past three years couldn't vanish with repentance. But he was desperate to hold onto her. These past few days, memories of their past haunted him. He finally realized Cynthia was the most precious person in his life. Her love had been selfless, pure, passionate, and sincere—the opposite of his filthy schemes with Lilian. The thought of what he'd done filled him with self-hatred.

He continued, “Jonathan isn’t right for you. His family is too complicated. A first-class family like his will choose someone of equal status. I’ve done my research—the Bennett family values the Sexton and Sullivan families, both prestigious in Betrico. If you stay with him, you’ll be a hidden lover at best.”

Cynthia gave a mocking smile. “It sounds like you’re looking out for me.”

Filip lowered his gaze. “I’m selfish, but I don’t want to lose you. I keep thinking about our past, our student days, those carefree times when we only had eyes for each other. Can we not go back to that?”

Cynthia sighed deeply. “Let’s not talk about the past. Let’s move forward. For the sake of the Yates family, I don’t want things to get ugly, but let me be clear: I will never go back to how things used to be.”

“Is it because of Jonathan? Does our twenty-year relationship mean nothing compared to the month you’ve spent with him?” Filip asked agitatedly.

Cynthia turned, her gaze calm and profound, but her words struck Filip like a thunderbolt. “We’ve been together for three years—since you and Lilian went abroad. So it’s not just a month. Sometimes, I feel everything now is a result of past actions. The connection between you and me has ended; the connection between him and me has just begun. Whatever happens, I’m ready to accept it.”

Filip was stunned. “You’ve really been together for three years?”

Cynthia said calmly, “I have no reason to lie.”

The last flicker of hope in Filip’s heart was extinguished. Three years, he thought. No wonder there’s always been an intimacy only couples share. He was speechless.

09:34 Wed, Nov 6

Chapter 83 (continued)

“Filip, we should look out for ourselves now,” Cynthia said, walking away.

Filip hesitated, then ran forward and pulled her into his arms.

Cynthia was stunned and about to resist when she felt a massive impact on her back. Something heavy had slammed down. She heard Filip cough heavily and saw him cough up blood. A wooden plank fell heavily to the ground. Looking up, she saw a crane clearing construction debris. A plank, poorly secured, had slid out and fallen, hitting Filip’s back hard enough to make him cough up blood. It was meant to hit her.

Cynthia’s expression turned solemn. “Filip, are you okay?”

Filip was bent over, pale and in extreme pain. Through gritted teeth, he forced out, “I’m fine.”

Cynthia, remaining calm, quickly called Vince for help. Zeke also arrived. “Mr. Yates, are you okay?” Zeke worked under Filip at Yates Construction.

“He was hit by a falling plank. We need to get him to a hospital,” Cynthia said.

The crane operator hurried over. Zeke scolded him, “You’re in big trouble. We’ll deal with you later.”

Filip was taken to the infirmary, but it was newly established, poorly equipped, with only a doctor and two nurses.

Half an hour later, Filip sat shirtless while the doctor examined him. His complexion had improved; he wasn’t coughing blood, but a large bruise swelled on his back.

The doctor, a man in his fifties, said, “It seems to be superficial tissue bruising, but since he coughed up blood, I recommend a full examination at a city hospital. There could be internal injuries.”

Cynthia said, “No time to waste. Go to Peace Hospital now.”

Filip remained seated. “I’m fine, no need to go.”

Cynthia frowned. “Filip, this isn’t a joke.” She felt conflicted; he had protected her.

Zeke spoke up. “Ms. Jones, Mr. Yates is the highest authority on the contractor side, but he’s still under the client’s leadership. Mr. Bennett sent him here, making it clear he must stay on-site and work alongside the frontline workers, returning to the city only if absolutely necessary.”

He continued, “It’s the first day. If he says he needs to rest due to injury, Mr. Bennett might think he’s faking it, deeming him unfit. If they use that as an excuse to replace the contractor, Mr. Yates can’t bear that responsibility.”