NovelGoldChapter 253
“Wait, wait! Letsit for a moment, please...” | waved my hand and tried to sit down, my legs still numb.
The pain in my knees was unbearable.
The others began arriving behind us, their concern clear.
| didn’t want to spoil their fun, so | pushed through the pal, assuring them | was fine and that they should
continue with their hike.
Once they left, | winced, sucked in a breath of cold air, and tempted to roll up my pants.
As expected, my knees were badly bruised.
Although my pants had offered sprotection, my knees were swollen, blood trickling from the center of each.
Cherry began to tear up when she saw the extent of my pain blaming herself. “I'm sorry, Tay-Tay... This is all my
fault.”
“It’s alright,” | reassured her. “You didn’t mean for this to happen. It was an accident.”
Hiking was definitely out of the question for me, so after resting for a bit, | used a stick as a crutch and slowly
tried to get up.
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“Let's head back down. Don't tell the others, okay?”
Cherry nodded, gently helpingdown the mountain.
Unfortunately, a few of my colleagues crossed paths with us on their way up, and news of my injuries spread,
despite my wish to keep it quiet.
Jamie immediately called, wanting to cdown and check on me, but | firmly refused.
After much effort, we made it back to the campsite, where the owner helped tend to my wounds.
In the afternoon, most of my colleagues reached the summit and took a photo to commemorate their
achievement. They all seemed so happy.
That evening, they lit a beautiful campfire and set off fireworks.
Everyone started barbecuing, singing, laughing, and having a good time.
| had hoped to join in, but the pain in my knees was so intense that they began to tremble when I tried to stand.
| had a sinking feeling, worried my injury wasn't just a simple wound.
When I rolled up my pants again, | saw the swelling had worsened. | could no longer straighten my legs, let alone
walk.
| called Cherry and asked her to hurry back.
“I think... | should head back. Don't tell the others,” | instructed. “I don’t want to ruin their fun. I'll leave my
luggage here, so could you help take it back to the office tomorrow?”
| grabbed my bag and phone.
Cherry, visibly crying, blamed herself again. “I'll go back with you, Tay-Tay. How can | stay here when you can’t
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Chapter 253
even walk?”
fine,” Lassured her. “I can manage if | take it slow. It’s not every day we get to have fun together, so you should
relax and enjoy yourself.”
After comforting Cherry, | checked my phone, surprised to see no drivers nearby.
I wondered if it was because we were too far out or if it was too late.
Just as | was pondering this, Jamie arrived.
When he heard | wanted to leave, he immediately said, “How are you supposed to get back alone? It’s not safe
to hail a cab out here.”
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He then offered, “I'll borrow a car from the owner and drive you back to the city.”
The drive would take an hour, assuming no traffic, but Jamie would need two hours to return to the campsite.
“It’s okay, really. | can manage...” | kept refusing, but Jamie ignoredand turned to leave.
A short tlater, he returned with car keys. “Let's go, Cherry. Help Miss Jones into the car.”
They assistedout of the tent, which wasn’t easy.
A few colleagues approached, asking how | was doing when they saw me.
Once in the car, | pretended | was fine, pushing through the sharp pain, so they could continue enjoying
themselves.
Cherry insisted on coming withand climbed into the car
As dusk fell, the area grew]
so Jamie drove slowly along the quiet mountain roads.
Once we left the mountains, Soleil called, and my heart sank a little.
After a brief pause, | answered. “Hello, Sol.”
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