Chapter 617
Hearing his words, Wendy’s fragile mask crumbled. She broke into sobs, but she didn’t lean on Benjamin’s shoulder. Deep down, she knew there could be no future between them. Her family background had already decided the road ahead, and it was one that could never truly meet his.
“Alright, that’s enough tears.”
When she finally quieted, Benjamin pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped her cheeks. His voice was serious, soft in a way he rarely showed. “Your mom is safe. Your brother is safe. Molly will be alright. As for that bastard Landon, his death was his own doing. He’s gone, and that means freedom for your family. No more threats hanging over your mother.”
His fingers brushed her face tenderly. “You don’t need to carry any guilt, none of you. So why are you still crying? If you keep it up, I’m going to kiss you.”
He leaned toward her playfully, trying to lighten her mood, but Wendy turned her head away. She didn’t even know why she felt so hollow. Maybe it was because the future looked like a fog she couldn’t see through–only sadness and confusion waiting ahead.
Maybe she never should have let Benjamin into her life. If she hadn’t fallen in love with him, she wouldn’t now be mourning a future they could never have.
At that moment, the light above the operating room went out. The surgery was over.
Everyone stood up, eyes fixed on the door until the surgeon stepped out.
“Doctor, how is she?” Raymond rushed forward.
“We’ve stabilized her. She’s not in immediate danger, but she’ll need a lengthy recovery in the hospital.”
“Thank you, thank you…”
Relief rippled through the group. As long as she was alive, everything else could be endured,
Soon after, nurses wheeled Molly out. Her face was pale, her body fragile against the stark white sheets.
“Molly!” Eliza broke into tears, clutching her hands to her mouth.
As they escorted her into a ward, Caitlin tried to comfort her. “She’ll get better, Eliza. Just give her time.”
Eliza nodded through her tears and urged the others, “You all have work to do. Leave the bedside to me. I’ll stay here with her.
Vincent and Jasper headed back to the company, Sebastian left for KM International Group, and Caitlin remained to support Eliza.
Two hours later, Simon returned from giving his statement at the police station. The first thing he did was hurry to the ward. “How is she? What did the doctors say?”
“The surgery went well. No danger to her life. She just needs proper rest now,” Caitlin explained.
Simon exhaled hard, the weight on his chest easing slightly.
“You should change, Caitlin suggested gently. His clothes were still stiff with blood.
He nodded, went to his office nearby to clean up, then returned in fresh clothes. Taking Molly’s hand, he stared at her pale face, guilt clawing at his chest. He swore silently that from this day forward, he would cherish her even more.
Later, Caitlin accompanied him to visit Rebecca, who was resting in another room on the same floor.
Benjamin was there when they arrived. He stood politely to greet them. Wendy, sitting by her mother’s side. had stopped crying but looked drained and fragile.
“You stay here with Mom. I’ll walk Benjamin out,” she said suddenly.
She pulled him along before he could object, leading him all the way to the elevators. Only then did Benjamin speak. “I never said I was leaving. I wanted to stay with you.”
“No.” Wendy let go of his wrist, turned toward him, and her red–rimmed eyes met his. “Benjamin, let’s break
- up.
“What?”
“I said, let’s break up. Don’t you understand?”
His brows furrowed, his voice rising with disbelief. “What are you talking about? You’re upset right now, that’s all. Let’s wait until you calm down–then we’ll talk.”
He couldn’t accept it. They had only just begun, had only just called it love. There were so many things he had planned, so many moments he wanted to give her.
“I am calm,” she said, her voice tight, her heart twisting. “I’ve thought about this seriously. We’re not right for each other.”
“Not right? We’re perfect for each other.”
To back to
“That’s what you think,” Wendy whispered. “But I don’t. We should stop now
. No more dating. Just go b the way it was before. You live your life, I’ll live mine. We’ll just be friends.”
The words hit him like a punch. Benjamin gripped her shoulders. “Why? We agreed to do this together. We said we’d start slow, get to know each other. Why throw it away now?”
Wendy bit her lip hard. “Because being with you makes me feel like I’m drowning. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep. I feel like I’m about to break.”
Benjamin stared at her, stunned. He hadn’t expected that. He thought back to her smiles, her laughter when they were together. Wasn’t she happy then?
He decided not to argue. Maybe the chaos of the day had pushed her too far. “Alright, alright. I get it. You’re
€
under too much pressure. I’ll give you space. Your home’s off–limits right now, so come stay at my place. Rest, sleep it off. When you wake up, maybe you’ll feel better.”
Wendy shook her head. “I’m staying here with my mom. Go, Benjamin. Don’t come find me again. I don’t want to see you.”
She turned and walked away, leaving him frozen by the elevator.
He watched her retreating back, frustration and helplessness tearing at him. Had she just… thrown him away again?
He couldn’t think of anything he’d done to make her angry.
But Wendy’s heart was breaking as badly as his. After saying the words, she locked herself in a bathroom stall, muffling her sobs.
She knew the truth. Love was between two people. But marriage–it was between two families. And her family and Benjamin’s were worlds apart. Even if he married her against all odds, would she ever know true happiness inside his world?
Mrs. Jones would never accept her. Not with her background.
She repeated it to herself over and over. This was the right choice. Better to cut it off now than to suffer later. Long pain was worse than short. Don’t waste each other’s time.
But Benjamin didn’t leave the hospital. His chest was burning with anger and hurt. With nowhere else to put it, he called Caitlin.
When she came out to meet him, she frowned. “You’re still here? What happened? What do you need from me?”