<b>Chapter </b><b>426</b>


    Edith, always straightforward, couldn’t help but express her concern, “These past couple of years must have been tough for you, huh?”


    I was taken aback, “How did you know?”


    “Just a guess.”


    She offered a sympathetic smile, like a wise older sister. “Even though we haven’t spent much time together, I can tell you’re not the type to y the field.”


    “Leaving him was probably ast resort, right?” Her question was phrased with such certainty.


    It didn’t surprise me she could see through it.


    Edith had thatid–back vibe but was incredibly observant and thoughtful underneath.


    In short, the Ford family had a knack for reading people.


    I saw no point in denying it, so I nodded, “Yes, Gregory’s dad came to see me. And then, Bryant… he promised me that if I went back with him, he’d help Gregory.”


    “That must have been tough.”


    Edith sighed, a mix of admiration and pity in her tone, “It’s a shame Palmer Ford yed dirty, almost capsized Greg’s ship. Well, he did capsize it, but Greg managed to right it again on his own.”


    Hearing this, I couldn’t help but smile, “Yeah, he’s always been sharp.”


    As kids, he always seemed a step ahead of the rest of us, the most clever and bold.


    Ramona always thought I was fearless, but in reality, it was Gregory who had instilled that in me, telling me to go ahead and make mistakes because he’d be there to catch me if I fell.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    He nurtured my wild, unrestrained nature, much like a vibrant sunflower thriving in the sun.


    1/3


    11.02


    Edith seemed surprised, “You remembered everything?”


    “Yeah.”


    I handed her a bottle of water, “A couple of years ago, I had an ident that somehow brought everything back.”


    She was quick, “Because of Greg?”


    “Not exactly.”


    It felt like my whole being was already at its breaking point, struggling with mental health issues.


    Then Gregory’s crisis happened.


    It’s just that it happened to be his crisis that triggered it. If it had been Ramona, or Christine, even Mark, I might have copsed just the same.


    So, cing the me on Gregory doesn’t quite fit.


    Edith unscrewed the bottle cap, “Thesest two years, being by Bryant’s side…”


    “I wasn’t in RiverCity.”


    With her, it felt easier to be open, “After the ident, I went to France. It’s just that the news was kept under wraps.”


    Edith frowned, “Then howe Molly called you, and Bryant picked up?”


    “Ah?” I paused, then realized. “The night of the ident, when I left the Ferguson Mansion, I forgot to take my phone.”


    Waking upter, all I wanted was a fresh start.


    Eager to cut all ties with Bryant, I never bothered to retrieve my phone.


    Nowadays, a phone is like an adult’s lifeline. Without it, it felt like I could truly


    start over.


    Edith nodded in understanding, “So why haven’t you exined any of this to Greg?”


    was depressed.“/


    I licked my lips, “Given Gregory’s nature, he’d want to know everything. Why I


    2/3


    11.02


    went to France, why I didn’t reach out to him. And sooner orter, he’d find out about my depression.”


    He’d feel guilty, responsible.


    Edith’s expression grew tense. “No wonder… no wonder you haven’t exined what happened two years ago to Greg. You were afraid he’d me himself…”


    1 couldn’t have exined it before.


    And now, it was even harder to find the words.


    Telling him would only add to his burden.


    Before I could respond, Edith sighed, “I owe you thanks for being so considerate towards him. It’s definitely not the right time to bring this up. Don’t worry, he’s been faithfully following his treatment, and since you’vee back, his symptoms have noticeably improved.“