Chapter 5 Making Choices

"Sorry... sorry!"

Valerie's face turned beet red as she awkwardly tried to get out of Howard's arms.

In her rush, she slipped again and fell right back into his embrace.

Howard's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Looks like you really like me, honey, huh?"

Valerie couldn't bring herself to look at Howard. Her face felt like it was on fire, and she didn't need a mirror to know how red she was.

She cursed herself for being so clumsy and stammering.

"I'm sorry... I'll get up right away."

As she carefully got up, she glanced at Howard's seemingly lifeless legs, and her shyness quickly turned into guilt.

He was so strong despite his disability, and here she was causing him trouble. She worried she might have hurt him.

"Well, Mr. Carter..." she began cautiously.

"Just call me Howard."

"...Howard, are your legs okay? Did I hurt you?"

"Valerie, are you worried about my legs?"

Valerie's face grew even hotter. She hadn't expected Howard to be so cheeky, so different from his usually dignified and aloof demeanor.

But she still felt it was her fault and nodded, admitting honestly.

"I was worried I might have hurt your legs when I fell on you..."

Her voice trailed off, growing quieter and more embarrassed.

Howard's eyes crinkled with amusement, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"You're quite amusing."

"Do you think I'm so fragile that a little fall could break me?"

He spread his arms slightly, showing no sign of embarrassment or inferiority despite his disability.

Valerie looked at Howard's outstretched arms and couldn't help but recall the awkward moment. She realized that when she had fallen into his arms, she had felt something unusual.

She clearly felt that Howard had quite a bit of muscle. Despite his legs being paralyzed, he still maintained such a physique. Valerie was silently impressed and couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.

"Do you think I'm good-looking, Valerie?"

Valerie nodded instinctively, which made Howard smile even more.

He maneuvered his wheelchair towards the dining table.

"Come on, let's eat. After breakfast, I'll take you to Aurelia Holdings."

Valerie suddenly noticed the time and slapped her forehead in frustration. She had almost forgotten she had to go to work.

She quickly sat down in front of Howard and started eating a piece of fried egg.

Unlike her hurried eating, Howard ate slowly and methodically. Valerie couldn't help but slow down her pace, trying to mimic his eating style.

"Valerie, you don't have to copy me."

Valerie looked at Howard, who continued, "I told you before, just be yourself."

She paused, then returned to her usual wild eating habits.

After all, in the early years when she was trying to establish a stable career in this city, she often skipped meals or ate as quickly as possible.

It was a long-standing habit, and it was hard to change it all at once.

After they finished eating, Valerie checked the time and exclaimed, "Only half an hour left!"

"Damn, I'm going to be late."

"Don't worry, Joseph's on his way," Howard reassured her.

Valerie barely acknowledged him as she hurriedly packed the proposals and USB drive she had prepped the night before.

As she headed downstairs with her things, she saw Joseph waiting in the living room, giving her a nod.

"Did you wait long?"

Howard shook his head. "Nope, you're right on time."

They both got into the car.

On the way, Valerie glanced at her phone and instinctively pulled up her chat history with Wayne.

It had been a day since her last message: [It's okay.]

Wayne hadn't replied at all, not even with an emoji.

Valerie laughed at herself. What was she expecting?

Wayne had just proposed to the love of his life. He was too busy being happy to care about her.

She felt like a fool, determined to move on but still standing in the same place.

Looking at Wayne's dismissive messages that she had once treasured, Valerie felt utterly ridiculous.

She closed her eyes for a moment, then deleted all her chat history with Wayne.

She had successfully moved out of her family of origin. Now, she needed to remove Wayne from her heart.

Howard, observing her actions, couldn't help but comment, "Looks like you've made a decision?"

Valerie turned her head, her beautiful eyes tinged with redness.

Realizing she had shown her vulnerability in front of her current partner, she smiled awkwardly and wiped her face.

"Sorry."

"Why apologize? Our relationship started abruptly, without any emotional foundation. I understand."

"But feelings can grow. I hope you can sort things out soon."

Valerie nodded, silently making up her mind.

As they neared Aurelia Holdings, Valerie asked to stop the car.

"Just drop me off here."

"Do you think I'm some kind of secret?" Howard's voice turned icy.

Valerie's hand froze on the seatbelt, feeling the temperature in the car drop. She looked up at Howard, his gaze sharp, as if he could see right through her.

For some reason, she felt that if she nodded, Howard would immediately get angry.

Valerie's eyes lingered on his legs, understanding that people with disabilities didn't want to be treated differently. Afraid of causing unnecessary misunderstandings, she shook her head and explained, "Daniel caused a scene here recently."

"Your presence would fuel gossip and create unnecessary trouble."

"Give me some time. For now, I don't want our relationship to be public. Is that okay?"

Valerie tugged his sleeve, pleading with Howard, her face showing a hint of a pout she didn't even realize.

Howard was momentarily stunned, the darkness in his expression dissipating.

He nodded, his tone gentle. "Alright."

Seeing him agree, Valerie's face lit up with a smile. She thanked him and got out of the car.

As she walked into the company, the receptionist called out to her.

"Valerie, someone is here to see you."

"Me?"

Valerie was surprised, thinking it might be a business partner. She quickly walked to her office.

She opened the door and saw someone she never wanted to see in her whole life.