Love Me Or Leave Me

Chapter 268

Carly exerted all her strength and ran like the wind into the residential area where Adrian and Isabella lived.

They stayed in a high–end mansion there where the security guards were very strict. Only those who were permitted could enter. Unverified persons weren’t allowed.

After entering, Carly finally relaxed and looked back.

As Carly had guessed, Connor chased after her. But, once he reached the entrance, Bryan, a security guard stopped him. Eagerly, Connor claimed that Carly who just entered was his wife. He said he wanted to go in and take her out with him.

Hearing that, Bryan turned to Carly. He recognized her because Adrian and Isabella had informed him earlier that she’d be living with them for a while.

“Don’t let him in!” Carly yelled to Bryan in a panic.

Stunned, Bryan still replied, “Alright.”

The property management services of high–end residential areas were the best. A good example of such was this incident. If the owner’s friend asked the guards not to let certain people in, they wouldn’t, just like how they didn’t allow Connor in.

When Carly heard Bryan’s promise, she was still in a confused trance. It took her a while to understand what went on. ‘Wow… that’s possible?‘ she thought, frozen in place, before seeing Bryan stopping Connor.

The shallow Connor loved his reputation. Thus, his expression soured when he was stuck outside. However, he didn’t dare to rush in for fear of appearing uncouth. In any way, he’d be unable to get in because the security guards there weren’t like those in ordinary residential areas. All guards there were strong military veterans. Moreover, they were young. If Connor wanted to break in, he would only be thrown out.

Carly watched the scene and finally felt relieved. Then, she carried the groceries she’d just bought and went home.

During her time living in Adrian and Isabella’s house, Carly took the initiative to cook their meals. After all, she wasn’t there as a guest. She was staying there for a while, so she had to contribute. Otherwise, she would feel bad about it.

Adrian and Isabella were at work while Ronald and Damian were in kindergarten. Hence, now there was only her, and their housekeeper, Julie White, left at home.

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Considering that, Carly finally sighed in relief. She was worried Isabella would notice something was off about her.

Isabella had always been very sensitive to changes in others‘ moods and temperaments. If Carly had not regulated her mood in time, Isabella would surely have noticed that something was wrong.

However, it didn’t take Isabella to realize something was amiss with Carly as even Julie sensed something off. “Ms. Graham, what’s wrong? Why do you look so pale?” Julie asked concernedly upon realizing Carly’s sickly complexion.

Carly shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

Julie still felt worried. “Could you be getting sick? You’d better have a good rest, then. Don’t work yourself too much today. Let me do the cooking.”

Carly shook her head again. “No need. I can do it.”

› Hearing this, Julie sighed deeply and questioned, “Why are you being courteous with

me? I’m getting paid for my work here. I don’t work for free.”

Hearing this, Carly was also stunned.

Julie examined her and advised caringly, “Ms. Graham, have a good rest. Mr. Carter is a very good person. He’s kind and generous. You don’t need to worry about him being unhappy with you staying here.”

“You…” Carly was uncertain.

Smiling, Julie elaborated, “A few years ago, my son Jacob was coming to Hivalis for the SAT. Once Mr. Carter knew, he asked me to bring Jacob here for a few days so that he didn’t need to stay in a hotel. Mr. Carter also specially told me to cook better food for him as a treat.” When Julie mentioned this story, her tone and gaze filled with warmth. She seemed content, grateful, and happy. After she finished, she turned to Carly smiling. “Ms. Graham, Mr. Carter is already so kind to me. It’s needless for me to mention how well he’ll treat you. You are his wife’s biological sister. I think he has been genuinely treating you as his biological sister too. You don’t have to walk on eggshells all the time.”

‘I don’t have to be so careful?‘ Carly wondered as her heart pounded. Glancing at Julie, she recalled everything about getting along with Adrian and the Carter family in a trance. After replaying the memories in her mind, she suddenly realized that they seemed different from most families. “Yeah,” she affirmed while nodding heavily.

At this moment, Carly realized that she was actually very similar to Isabella. She had

16:50 wed,

always been anxious and cautious in every aspect of her life.

Both Carly and Isabella had always paid attention to keeping distance from others and tried hard not to overstep boundaries, take advantage of others, spend others‘ money, and owe others favors. Yet, this caution unexpectedly exposed their true nature.

‘Our lives were truly uneasy, so we lived so carefully no matter where we went in fear that we’d involve others and drag them down. However, it’s completely different with the Carter family,‘ Carly thought, and she consciously inhaled deeply. ‘Perhaps not only Connor needs changing. I do, too. I need to adjust my mentality to be braver and more confident in the future. I can set a good example for Ronny that way and make him brave and confident too. Then, he wouldn’t live such a miserable life as we did on the

sidelines.‘

“I don’t feel uncomfortable,” Carly told Julie the truth after some consideration. She then paused to ponder again before explaining, “My ex–husband Connor came. I met him by coincidence while shopping earlier. He wants me to go back.”

Before this, Carly didn’t want to tell anyone about such things. Yet, now, after thinking it through, she suddenly felt that there was no need to hide.

About an hour later, the kindergarten bus arrived. Ronald and Damian had finished school so Carly hurriedly exited the house to pick them up.

“Aunt Carly!” Damian yelled.

“Mom!” Ronald called out.

Damian and Ronald were well–mannered children who knew to greet her once they saw

her.

Carly smiled before inviting them, “Damian, Ronny, let’s go inside.” Then, she led them into the house, watched them put down their schoolbags, and then go look for Lego

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Damian loved playing with Lego sets so Adrian bought a lot of them for him to play with. After Ronald moved in, Damian also graciously shared the sets with him. Since then, every day after school, they played with Lego bricks together happily.

Carly didn’t disturb them. She simply stood aside and watched them play with Lego bricks.

After watching them for a while, Carly noted that both Damian and Ronald were much better now than before.

Before this, Damian was very introverted and didn’t talk much. Even with Carly, he was somewhat reserved. However, now, anyone could sense that Damian was more cheerful than before. To boot, as Ronald had been playing with Damian daily, more smiles seemed to appear on his face too. It was unlike how he was in their previous home where he barely smiled.

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