Chapter 663
Rainbow Park, beneath the old banyan tree.
Benjamin had already decorated the place. Once Wendy arrived, all he had to do was flip the switch, and the banyan tree would light up into a sea of sparkling lights. He had flowers ready too. Now all he could do was wait, his heart restless and anxious.
Would his girl come?
He was gambling with himself, betting that Wendy still had even a sliver of love for him. If she did, she would come–if only to say goodbye.
Minutes dragged by. Benjamin paced under the tree, checking his watch over and over again. From seven to nine o’clock, two hours passed, but Wendy still hadn’t shown up.
He tried to reassure himself. Midnight was still a long way off. Maybe she was just on her way.
The bodyguards stationed nearby exchanged worried glances. They all knew their young master might be waiting in vain tonight. Maybe this Wendy girl wasn’t coming. But none of them dared to speak up. When their young master was this fixated, nothing could sway him.
Ten o’clock passed, then eleven. The sky grew darker, heavy with rain clouds. Any moment, the downpour would break.
His assistant finally stepped forward, voice careful. “Sir, maybe Miss Wendy isn’t coming. Shouldn’t we go to her house instead?”
“She’ll come! We promised each other! She’ll come! Get out of my sight!”
Benjamin snapped, shoving his assistant away. His agitation and desperation grew sharper with every passing minute.
When the first drops of rain began to fall, Benjamin pulled out his phone and called Simon. “Simon, it’s me… Benjamin. Is Wendy still at home? Please… just tell her I’m waiting at Rainbow Park. I just want to see her one last time. Please.”
When he hung up, his chest ached. He had been waiting since six o’clock. And all this time, Wendy had stayed home, refusing to come.
Did he truly mean so little to her? Had she never loved him at all?
Simon relayed the message to his sister. “Wendy, Benjamin said he’s at Rainbow Park, waiting. He says he won’t leave unless you come. If you decide to go, let me know. I’ll drive you.”
“I know,” she whispered.
Wendy lay in bed, tears sliding silently down her cheeks. She hadn’t slept at all. She hadn’t said yes, but she hadn’t said no either. Simon could only leave it at that.
Outside the drizzle turned into steady rain. The wind carried the damp cold from all directions. Benjamin’s
hair and clothes were soaked within minutes. November’s chill cut into his skin, but he clenched his jaw and endured.
Four hours. Still, Wendy didn’t come.
The truth pressed heavier on him with each second: she didn’t care. She never loved him.
And yet he refused to give up. He’d promised he wouldn’t leave until she came. He had to wait.
But the heavens showed no mercy. The rain grew heavier, washing away all the lights and flowers he’d prepared. Water streamed down his face, blurring his vision. Under the dim yellow glow of the park lamps, he was just a lonely figure swallowed by the storm.
That fragile hope was the only thing keeping him upright. When he finally saw someone approaching with an umbrella, his heart leapt. Relief surged through him—
Only to shatter when he realized it wasn’t her.
The disappointment was crushing.
“Sir, the rain’s too heavy. Let’s go back,” one of his men urged.
“I’m not leaving! Get lost!”
“At least take the umbrella-”
“I don’t need it! Take it away! Do you hear me?!”
His voice cracked with grief. Maybe he was crying. Maybe it was just the rain. No one could tell anymore.
He lashed out, kicking a guard, hurling his bouquet against the tree. Again and again, until the flowers were nothing but shredded petals on the ground.
He stumbled a few steps and collapsed, lying in the cold mud.
The rain pounded down, soaking him through. He didn’t feel the chill. He didn’t feel anything at all. His heart was already drowning, sinking deeper into despair. He was nothing but a shadow, abandoned, forgotten.
When his bodyguards finally reached him, he was unconscious. Panic–stricken, they carried him off to the hospital.
Back at LL Villa, rain lashed against the windows.
Wendy tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Was Benjamin really still waiting for her like a fool?
If she didn’t go, would he truly stay there all night?
Would he get sick from the rain?
The thought of his face was too much to bear. She jumped out of bed and rushed for the door.
17:10 Sat, Sep 27
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It was already past midnight. Her mother, her brother, even the servants were fast asleep. She didn’t want to wake Simon. Instead, she grabbed his car keys and drove herself toward Rainbow Park.
But when she arrived, umbrella in hand, the park was empty.
Under the banyan tree, there was no Benjamin–only scattered petals and ruined decorations.
Her chest ached so sharply she could barely breathe.
Squatting down, clutching herself, she cried bitterly.
It was over.
She and Benjamin could never be.
Not ever again.
I’m sorry, Benjamin. Forget me.
Goodbye.
The next morning, Wendy went to the airport with her mother Rebecca and her brother Simon.
On the other side of the city, Benjamin awoke in a hospital bed.
He had collapsed from the rain and the cold. Fever had consumed him through the night. Though the doctors brought it down, he was still weak and hooked to IV fluids.
“Son, you’re awake! You nearly scared me to death!” Mrs. Jones sobbed, torn between anger and heartbreak. That girl had nearly destroyed her precious boy. At least Wendy was leaving the country now. Good riddance.
“Get out! This is all your fault!” Benjamin’s voice cracked with fury. “Why did you say those things to Wendy? Why did you destroy us?!”
“Everything I did was for your own good!” she wept.
“You’re not my mother! You ruined the only happiness I ever had! Don’t let me see you again!” He turned to his men, his
wild. “What time is it? Tell me the time!”
“It’s 8:40, sir.”
Ignoring every plea, Benjamin ripped the IV from his arm, stumbling to his feet.
Barely steady, he staggered to the door.
When he saw his assistant waiting, he barked, “Take me to the airport! Now!”