Chapter 1707
“Why make things harder on yourself when you can let others handle it?” Mrs. Lucas said with a matter-of-fact tone.
Ben couldn’t help but laugh, exasperated yet amused. “Mom, you also need to think about Jamie’s health. For four years, she worked tirelessly to take care of Charlie, waking up early and staying up late. She hasn’t been with me for that long. Don’t you think she deserves to enjoy life a little before going through the exhaustion of another pregnancy? You know as well as anyone that pregnancy is no easy journey, and childbirth is even harder.”
His words immediately silenced Mrs. Lucas.
Seeing her hesitation, Ben added, “Having just one child might feel a little lonely, but Jamie and I will definitely have a second, maybe even a third. You don’t need to worry. We’re just letting nature take its course for now.”
“Alright, I’ll leave it to you two,” Mrs. Lucas finally relented. She realized that pushing further would seem like she didn’t care about Jamie’s well-being.
Still, she looked concerned. “I just hope Jamie doesn’t misunderstand my intentions. Do you think she’ll take it the wrong way?”
“Of course not,” Ben reassured her. “Jamie knows you mean well and understands you’re not that kind of person.”
Ben placed a hand on her shoulder, but before he could say anything more, Jamie appeared, walking toward them with a warm smile directed at Mrs. Lucas.
In that moment, Mrs. Lucas felt a sense of relief wash over her.
“Take Jamie out for a walk,” Mrs. Lucas said, turning to Ben. “You’ve been working so hard lately, both at home and at the office. Didn’t you say it yourself? After all the hardships, it’s time to enjoy life.”
“Alright,” Ben agreed, stepping toward Jamie, both of them visibly more at ease.
*
As they went upstairs together, Jamie couldn’t help but feel proud of how her collaboration with Lila had changed the industry’s perception of her. Many now looked at her with newfound respect, and she was pleased with the progress. Still, her thoughts drifted to Summer.
Turning to Ben, she said casually, “You should let Summer go. She’s been through enough. She only acted that way because she cared about you too much. Her family didn’t really do anything wrong.”
“You don’t blame her anymore?” Ben asked, surprised by Jamie’s change of heart.
I
Jamie smiled gently. “Everyone has their own choices to make. Before I came into the picture, your mom clearly favored her and wanted her to be your fiancée. Back then, your relationship with her was something everyone seemed to accept as fact.”
Ben’s expression turned serious. “That’s just what they thought. I never once acknowledged Summer as anything more than someone my mother liked.”
Back then, he was dealing with
serious health problems, and the physical and emotional toll was overwhelming. Later, he buried himself completely in work, distancing himself from any plans his mother had tried to arrange.
Jamie nodded. “I understand. I was just making a point. Let her go, Ben. If Lila can stop being my enemy, do you really think Summer will hold on to her grudge forever? She won’t. People move on when they come to terms with the past.”
Ben considered her words for a moment before nodding. “Alright, I’ll let her go.”
When Summer was finally released, she was in complete disbelief.
Ben had been so ruthless toward her in the past, determined to make her life miserable. And now, he was personally arranging for her release? It felt unreal. Worried it might just be a dream, she pinched herself discreetly. The sharp sting reminded her it was all real.
Still in shock, she asked, “Why would he release me? Wasn’t he determined to make me suffer?”
The man in front of her, his demeanor formal and detached, replied, “You’d have to ask Mr. Lucas. This was his decision, not mine.”
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