Chapter 1664

Winnie gave a faint smile. “I’ve already let it go. But think about it, you’re now living a high-profile life as part of an influential family. Do you really want the media constantly digging into your past because of me?”
She spoke calmly, but the weight of her words hit Jamie like a stone. Linda and Winnie were destined to live in the shadows.
Jamie understood what Winnie was saying, but she also knew that no one could choose the circumstances of their birth. And she, for one, would never turn her back on her mother or her sister.
“Winnie…” Jamie tried to argue, but Winnie interrupted her.
“Don’t start, sis. Living a good life is the best thing you can do for both of us.
“And even if I don’t leave now, I’ll have to eventually. You might be able to keep me here for a year, maybe two, but you can’t control my life forever. Right now, I just want a bit of freedom and to take Mom with me. I’ve already made up my mind, so let’s not waste time going in circles.”
Jamie hesitated for a long moment but finally relented. “Alright.”
She personally escorted Winnie and Linda as they left. “Promise me you’ll let me know where you’re going. Once you’ve settled down, call me.”
Winnie nodded, but in her heart, she knew this would be their final meeting. She had no intention of telling Jamie where they were going or reaching out later.
Jamie had suffered enough, and after almost making a terrible mistake herself, Winnie felt that her sister deserved nothing but happiness-a happiness she intended to protect by staying away.
*
Jamie returned to the hospital three hours later. She had composed herself, but Ben immediately noticed her low spirits.
He walked over, placing a comforting arm around her shoulders, and asked softly, “Winnie left, didn’t she?”
Jamie nodded, her expression heavy. No matter what she had said, nothing had convinced Winnie to stay.
Ben patted her shoulder gently. “She just needs time. Once she’s let everything go and thought it through, she’ll come back. For now, keep in touch with her. Take Charlie
home. I’ll stay here.”
“You should take Charlie home,” Jamie replied. “You’ve got work to focus on, and I already promised I’d take care of Mom. Leaving now would make me seem unreliable.”
Ben considered her words but finally said, “Alright. I’ll have my assistant take Charlie home and ask the nanny to look after him. I’ll stay here with you to help care for Mom.”
Jamie shook her head, concerned.
“Charlie will be home without either of us. Are you sure he’ll be okay? Ben, I know how you feel, but Mom and I will have to manage on our own eventually. She’s stopped opposing us, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Dad’s at home,” Ben reminded her. Despite past conflicts, Charlie was still his father’s grandson. Surely, they could set aside their differences for the sake of the family.
Jamie hesitated at the thought of leaving Charlie with his grandfather. While he had spent more time with Mrs. Lucas, Jamie wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea. “Still, Ben, I think you should go back and check on Charlie. I’ll be fine here.”
Ben frowned. “Then I’ll stay-”
Before he could finish, Jamie interrupted him. “What if Mom needs help going to the bathroom? I never planned to hire a caregiver.”
The practicality of her words stopped Ben in his tracks. He hadn’t considered that.
Even so, the thought of leaving Jamie alone didn’t sit well with him.
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