Contrary to what Valerie thought, Michelle actually remembered what had happened on the night of her accident. She might have hit her head, but she didn't suffer from memory loss.
When she regained consciousness, she didn't say anything about Valerie because she wanted to smooth things over, and she knew that it was the ballerina who called the ambulance.
Michelle was willing to let the incident go if Valerie was going to own up to her mistake.
If Valerie claimed it was an accident, Michelle had planned on agreeing with her.
As long as the other woman apologized, Michelle would do her a favor and let this transgression pass.
When Michelle was a child, she once wanted to play on someone's lawn. There had been a sign telling people not to step on the grass but she ignored it.
Later, her father asked her about it. Afraid to admit that she had blatantly ignored the warning sign, she lied to him. She told him that she had accidentally stepped on the grass.
That time, her father didn't scold her or call her out for lying. He merely told her that it was not a big deal as long as she would never repeat her mistakes. And Michelle never stepped on the lawn again.
Her father had protected her self-esteem.
Now, Michelle was careful not make people lose face. She thought that Valerie claimed the incident was an accident because she was afraid of being criticized.
Since Valerie called for an ambulance and came to visit her, it meant that she regretted her actions.
People were not saints. Everything would be fine as long as Valerie owned up to her mistake.
Just like Michelle had when her father had let her off for a childish mistake.
But to Michelle's surprise, Valerie suddenly changed the story of what had happened that fateful night.
She frowned and maintained eye-contact with the ballerina, deciding to give her a second chance.
"Didn't you say earlier that you pushed me accidentally?"
Valerie felt a stab of guilt as she thought to herself, 'What does that mean? Does Michelle know that I deliberately pushed her?
That is impossible.
If Michelle had known all along, she would have told Leon.
I don't believe she's so kind as to forgive me and not tell Leon.
If I were her, I would've already told Leon.
I think she just doesn't remember what happened that night.'
Valerie mulled over her options and decided to stay in denial.
She should stick to her excuse that she failed to grab Michelle's hand in time.
After all, she was a weak woman.
The more Valerie convinced herself of this, the more relieved she felt.
"I was traumatized after seeing you fall. I thought it was my fault for accidentally pushing you, but when I looked back on the incident, I realized that I didn't push you. I actually tried to prevent you from falling but failed. For that, I'm sorry," she said a little too calmly.
Michelle's expression darkened. Disappointment shone in her eyes.
She had misread Valerie.
She used to think that the other woman was beautiful and kind-hearted, but that was no longer the case. Valerie was unwilling to admit that she had done something wrong.
"You pushed me," Michelle declared in an even voice. She looked at Valerie with certainty.
It was Valerie who pushed her.
She had nearly found her balance back then. If it weren't for Valerie, she might have made her sprain worse, but her head wouldn't have gotten injured.
At Michelle's revelation, Bryant felt his heartbeat start to race.
He knew that Michelle wouldn't lie about something she was sure of.
But sometimes, it was difficult for him to make the right judgment when it came to Valerie.
Had his cousin lied to him again? Bryant couldn't help but be in doubt.
Pretending to be upset, Valerie responded, "Why would I push you, Michelle? Don't you know what I'm like? Even if you make me feel uncomfortable, I will talk to you face-to-face just like..."
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