- 3 hours ago
Three Years as His, Now I'm Mine - Full
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00:00After hours of sex, At Benjamin finally collapsed onto me, his breathing heavy and racked.
00:06Then he rolled off and headed to the shower.
00:10When he emerged, I was still in bed, unable to move.
00:17Even after all this time, I still could not keep up with his stamina.
00:22Benjamin toweled off his damp hair, then hooked my underwear off the floor and tossed them to me.
00:31Pack your things and move out tomorrow. Don't ever come back.
00:36I froze, asking instinctively.
00:39Why?
00:40He lit a cigarette, his eyes filled with a tenderness and longing I had never seen before.
00:48She's coming back.
00:50I instantly knew who he meant. Emersoni, new senior out. His one true love.
00:57His eyes held a warmth that had never been meant for me.
01:02I could still feel the warmth of his body on my skin, but his words had already turned cold.
01:08I got dressed in silence.
01:11There was nothing left to say.
01:13I had already said too much over three years.
01:19I had been in this arrangement with Benjamin for three years.
01:23It started when I was just his secretary.
01:26After a few drinks at a banquet, we ended up in bed together.
01:30The first time he brought me here, he refused to let me stay the night.
01:35But his desire was unusually intense.
01:39Soon, he began to crave more and started letting me stay.
01:45To the rest of the world, I was his most capable assistant, taking care of everything for him.
01:50In private, we were no different from a committed couple.
01:54Whether it was my birthday or a holiday, he would cancel every party just to be alone with me.
02:00I had grown so used to this life that I had started to imagine a future with him.
02:06But now, he told me not to come back anymore.
02:12In the height of passion, he had held me and murmured a name in a delirium.
02:18I only learned the truth later.
02:21It belonged to the one woman he loved but could never have.
02:25I could not stand the smell of smoke.
02:28My throat felt tight and harry.
02:32Is she moving in?
02:34Benjamin's face was blurred behind the smoke, though his voice remained gentle.
02:38She's not like you.
02:40She's not the type of woman who gives herself away so casually.
02:44I am just worried she will get the wrong idea if she sees your things when she visits.
02:50Honestly, she is so pure and innocent, she will not even let me kiss her.
02:57Let alone sleep with her.
02:59I finished the sentence for him in my head, fighting the sting in my eyes.
03:04I got out of bed and be gathering my clothed foes from the floor.
03:10There is no rush.
03:12Can you not stay until tomorrow?
03:18Benjamin walked over and buried his face in the kirk of my neck, his tone as affectionate as ever.
03:28I want you to make me that pasta again.
03:32My hands froze as I was folding my clothes.
03:35Alright, I will make it for you.
03:40I turned on the stove.
03:41Once the water came to a boil, I dropped in the pasta.
03:47Once it was ready, I drained it, topped it with beef slices I had prepared myself.
03:53As at Benjamin ate, I went back to my packing.
03:58I had lived here for three years.
04:01Yet everything I owned fit into a single suitcase.
04:05Mostly just my clothes.
04:07I did not take any of the kitchenware or household essentials.
04:11When I wheeled my suitcase into the living room,
04:14Benjamin Yeenan gestured toward the cabinet.
04:17You really liked that dinnerware set, did you not?
04:20I shook my head.
04:23There is no room for it in my suitcase.
04:27I was about to walk out the door when Aunt Benjamin called out to me.
04:31His plate was nearly empty.
04:33He looked down, lit a cigarette, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.
04:38At the office, we will maintain a professional relationship.
04:45But privately, you can still come to me if you ever need anything.
04:49I understood what he was implying.
04:51I simply nodded.
04:55All right.
05:01I dragged my suitcase out, hailed a taxi, and returned to my apartment alone.
05:06It was already two in the morning, far too late to ask anyone for help.
05:11I quickly cleared a small space and lay down.
05:14I was completely exhausted.
05:16I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.
05:20But strangely enough, I kept dreaming about the days when I first met Benjamin.
05:26Back then, he was the untouchable head of the Kilbreed group.
05:30And I was just one of his many assistants.
05:37My first real encounter with him happened at a gala.
05:41The executive assistant had an emergency
05:44and asked me to fill in to accompany Benjamin.
05:49After several rounds of drinks,
05:51a business partner suddenly turned his attention to me.
05:56Mrs. Tilde,
05:58refusing to drink with me is a real slap in the face.
06:02I had not yet learned how to navigate situations like that
06:05and froze on the spot.
06:08I am sorry.
06:09I am allergic to alcohol.
06:13The man's face darkened.
06:15Instantly.
06:16The entire room went silent.
06:19Trembling.
06:20I picked up the glass,
06:22prepared to drain it.
06:23I figured the worst that could happen was a trip to the ER.
06:27But halfway through there,
06:29a hand stopped me.
06:32Benjamin's profile was partially lost in the shadows.
06:35He gave a faint smile.
06:39Mr. Reggett,
06:40why pick on a young lady?
06:42I will take this one for her.
06:45I watched him drink for me that night
06:47and thought he was the most impressed man I had ever met.
06:54I stared blankly as at-bench Benjamin
06:57finished glass after glass offered to him.
07:00His face flushed
07:02and his eyes grew glassy.
07:04I later learned that Benjamin
07:06had just taken over the company back then.
07:10Plenty of people were looking for an excuse
07:13to push him out.
07:14After that night,
07:15I made it my mission
07:17to learn how to handle those events.
07:19When the executive assistant jumped ship,
07:23Benjamin promoted me.
07:25I became his personal secretary,
07:28managing everything for him.
07:31The night we first slept together,
07:33he was completely wasted.
07:35He kept murmuring a name
07:37in a delirium,
07:38his voice thick with sorrow.
07:41My heart went out to him.
07:43I could not help but reach out and hold him.
07:47Everything just happened naturally after that.
07:50It was not until much later
07:52that I realized
07:53that day had been Emerson's birthday.
07:56I thought that night meant something.
07:58It did.
07:59Just not the same thing to both of us.
08:02To him,
08:03I was a replacement.
08:05To me,
08:06he was everything.
08:10The next morning,
08:11I was jolted awake early
08:13by a call from Benjamin.
08:18Come over and drive me to the airport.
08:22He hung up before I could even get a word in.
08:26I had not slept well.
08:28My pillow was still damp when I woke up.
08:30I rubbed my throbbing temples,
08:33got ready,
08:34and headed out.
08:36On the way,
08:37my family called.
08:39My mother's voice was cautious.
08:43Jenny,
08:44are you coming home for the holidays this year?
08:47The quiet expectation in her aging voice
08:50made my throat tighten.
08:52Mom,
08:53I will be home
08:55next week.
08:57She sounded like she could not quite believe it.
09:00Really?
09:01For the past three years,
09:03I had spent every holiday at Benjamin's place.
09:06I nodded firmly.
09:11Mom,
09:12I am coming home.
09:13After hanging up,
09:15I submitted my resignation
09:16through the company portal.
09:18I could hear the hope in my mother's voice.
09:20It had been three years
09:22since I last heard it.
09:23I had been so busy being his
09:25that I forgot how to be mine.
09:29I climbed into the familiar black Audi.
09:32At Benjamin was already in the back seat.
09:35The car moved smoothly toward the airport.
09:41Not a single word was spoken the entire way.
09:44As we neared the terminal,
09:46his voice drifted from the back.
09:47You left something at my place.
09:50It was the matching sweater
09:51I had bought for Valentine's Day that year.
09:54I had worn the women's version.
09:56Benjamin had worn the men's.
09:58We had spent the whole day out together,
10:00acting like a real couple.
10:01For one brief day,
10:03I had had him all to myself.
10:08I took a deep breath.
10:11My voice flat.
10:14Just throw it away.
10:16Benjamin fell silent.
10:18Before long,
10:20he was leading Emerson back to the car.
10:23She was wearing a plush white coat
10:25over a Shilfan dress.
10:27Her eyes were large,
10:29clear,
10:29and utterly captivating.
10:31It was easy to see
10:33why she was the first love
10:34he could never get over.
10:36I watched Emerson walk toward the car,
10:39and I felt nothing.
10:41Not jealousy.
10:43Not anger.
10:45Just a quiet,
10:46tired acceptance.
10:54Immersion looped her arm
10:55through At Benjamin's
10:56and gave me a playful look.
10:59Jenny,
11:01would you mind helping me
11:02with my bags?
11:04Benjamin acted as if
11:05he had not heard a thing.
11:07I shot her a brief glance,
11:09then got out of the car
11:10without a word.
11:13I knew women traveled
11:14with a lot of gear,
11:15but I had not expected Emerson
11:17to show up with five
11:18massive suitcases.
11:21I used every ounce of my strength
11:23to heave them into the trunk.
11:25By the time I was done,
11:27my hands were shaking
11:28and aching.
11:31The moment I got back inside,
11:33the lively chat-it-in-the-back-street
11:34stopped instantly.
11:36Benjamin pulled out
11:38a pack of cigarettes
11:38and started to take one out.
11:41Then he hesitated
11:42and put it back.
11:45A second later,
11:47I heard Emerson's delicate voice
11:49from behind me.
11:54Ben,
11:54you still have not
11:55quit smoking?
11:57You know how much
11:58I hate the smell of smoke.
12:02Benjamin immediately
12:03tucked his cigarettes away
12:04and ruffled her hair.
12:10Marco and the guys
12:11rented out a place
12:12to celebrate your homecoming.
12:14Do you want to go?
12:15Absolutely!
12:17Emerson nodded.
12:19Then she turned to me
12:20with wide eyes.
12:22Jenny!
12:24Why do not you come too?
12:27I pressed my lips together,
12:29ready to decline.
12:31But Aunt Benjamin cut in.
12:33Emmy just got back.
12:35Do not ruin the mood.
12:37In the end,
12:38I went anyway.
12:42The moment we walked in,
12:44Aunt Benjamin's inner circle
12:45crowded around them.
12:47Led by his friend Marco,
12:48the group started
12:49teasing them immediately.
12:50The guest of honor
12:51is finally back!
12:52All these years
12:53you have been gone.
12:54Ben has been like
12:54a man possessed!
12:56You are back
12:57to get hitched, huh?
12:59When is the big day?
13:00Emerson buried her face
13:01shyly against
13:02Benjamin's chest.
13:03He laughed,
13:04playfully scolding them.
13:06When there is good news
13:07to share,
13:07you will be
13:09the first to know.
13:11The room was full of laughter,
13:13but none of it reached me.
13:15I sat at the edge
13:17of the table,
13:18invisible as always.
13:21The two of them
13:22were ushered
13:23into the private room
13:24surrounded by the crowd.
13:26When Aunt Marco
13:27spotted me trailing behind,
13:29his expression
13:30shifted to awkwardness.
13:34Miss,
13:35Miss Tilmy,
13:36you are here too?
13:39Come on in.
13:40Please.
13:43Emerson remained cold
13:45and abrasive
13:46towards me
13:47throughout the entire meal.
13:49Marco poured her
13:50a glass of fruit wine
13:51with a smile.
13:53Emmy,
13:54since it is
13:55your first day back,
13:56do me a favor
13:57and have a drink with me.
14:02Do not,
14:04you know,
14:05she is allergic
14:05to alcohol?
14:07Marco scratched his head,
14:10looking completely confused.
14:13Emerson's face darkened.
14:16I am not allergic
14:17to alcohol.
14:19Benjamin froze
14:20mid-motion,
14:21his wine glass
14:22still raised.
14:26Is that so?
14:27I must have
14:28misremembered.
14:29Emerson turned
14:30and noticed
14:31the juice
14:31in my glass.
14:33Her expression
14:34soured further.
14:36Marco did not know
14:37that the allergy
14:37Benjen remembered
14:38was mine,
14:39not Emerson's.
14:42Benjamin had
14:43confused us.
14:44I was not sure
14:45if that made it
14:46better or worse.
14:50Why is Jenny
14:51not drinking?
14:53Emerson lifted
14:54her glass
14:55and tilted
14:55her head.
14:56You are not
14:57unhappy
14:58that I am back,
14:59are you?
15:01I glanced
15:01at Benjamin.
15:02He was staring
15:04straight at me,
15:04his lips parting
15:06slightly as he spoke.
15:07Genevieve Tilley,
15:08just have one drink.
15:09Do not ruin
15:10the mood for everyone.
15:11I took a deep breath,
15:13picked up the glass
15:14of red wine,
15:15and had drained
15:16it in one go.
15:19The room
15:20immediately erupted
15:21into cheers.
15:23Soon,
15:24a rash broke out
15:25all over my body,
15:26spreading in a thick
15:27crawl up at my neck.
15:29Someone spotted it
15:31and gasped in alarm.
15:33Oh my God,
15:34you are having
15:35an allergic reaction!
15:37Benjamin glanced
15:38over indifferently,
15:39his tone ice cold.
15:42She will be fine.
15:44It is not like
15:45she is going to die.
15:48The rash spread
15:49across my skin,
15:51burning and itchy.
15:55But the physical pain
15:56was pressing
15:57with the physical
15:58for nothing
15:58compared to the
15:59coldness in his voice.
16:01She will be fine.
16:03It is not like
16:04she is going to die.
16:07The dinner dragged on.
16:08After a few more rounds,
16:10one of Benjamin's friends
16:11sighed.
16:12Ben,
16:12you are as loyal
16:14as they come.
16:16Emi left so suddenly
16:17back then,
16:19and you still waited
16:20three years for her.
16:22Marco,
16:23who was clearly drunk,
16:25slung an arm
16:26over Benjamin's shoulder.
16:27I actually thought
16:29you and Genevieve
16:30might end up together.
16:32You two have been
16:33inseparable
16:34these last three years.
16:35Emerson stared
16:37straight at me,
16:38the malice plain
16:39in her eyes.
16:41Jenny,
16:42is there some
16:43other side to you
16:44I do not know about,
16:45besides being
16:46Ben's secretary?
16:47Benjamin raised
16:48an eyebrow.
16:49Genevieve,
16:50why do not you
16:51tell everyone?
16:52What exactly
16:53are we to each other?
16:55I let out a short
16:56laugh,
16:56as if I had just
16:57heard something
16:58ridiculous.
16:59Mr. Kilbreast
17:01and I
17:01are strictly
17:02boss and employee.
17:04I told them
17:05we were nothing.
17:06I was protecting
17:08what little dignity
17:08I had left.
17:10Benjamin looked at me
17:11like he expected
17:12me to say more.
17:13I stayed silent.
17:16I had already
17:17said too much.
17:20By the time
17:21dinner ended,
17:22Benjamin was
17:23completely wasted.
17:25In his drunken
17:27haze,
17:28he instinctively
17:28reached for me.
17:29His voice
17:30soft and pleading.
17:34Genevieve,
17:35will you take
17:36me home?
17:39He leaned
17:40against my shoulder,
17:41nuzzling into my
17:42neck like he was
17:43desperate for
17:43affection.
17:45Do you really
17:46think we are
17:47only?
17:48Do you have
17:49any idea?
17:51I did not
17:51catch the rest.
17:53A second later,
17:54At Benjamin
17:54was yanked
17:55away from me.
17:59Emerson stood
18:00there like she
18:01was guarding
18:01her territory,
18:02propping at
18:03Benjamin up
18:04as she glared
18:05at me.
18:07Jenny,
18:09since you are
18:10just his
18:10employee,
18:11you should keep
18:12your distance
18:13from a man
18:14who is already
18:14engaged.
18:16Otherwise,
18:18people might
18:18start to talk,
18:19do you not think?
18:20I nodded,
18:21my face a mask
18:23of indifference.
18:25You are
18:26absolutely right.
18:28I watched
18:29Emerson lead
18:29him away and
18:30realized I was
18:31already a ghost
18:32in his world.
18:33It was time
18:34for me to
18:35disappear
18:35completely.
18:38For a week,
18:39aside from work,
18:41Benjamin and
18:41I had no
18:42private contact
18:43at all.
18:44My resignation
18:46was approved
18:46quickly through
18:47the company
18:47portal.
18:48The final step
18:49only required
18:50Benjamin's
18:51signature.
18:52I printed
18:53a hard copy,
18:54walked into
18:55his office,
18:56and handed
18:56the letter
18:57to him.
18:57He was on
18:58a call,
18:59his voice
19:00unusually gentle.
19:02Without even
19:03glancing at the
19:03paper,
19:04he signed
19:05his name
19:05in a few
19:06quick strokes.
19:07I turned
19:07to leave,
19:08but he
19:09stopped me.
19:10I am
19:11proposing to
19:11Emmy tonight.
19:12Leave early
19:13this afternoon
19:14to go set
19:14up the venue.
19:15Benjamin leaned
19:16back in his
19:17leather seat
19:17and calmly
19:18gave the
19:19order.
19:19I nodded
19:20to show I
19:20understood.
19:21Is there
19:22anything else?
19:22He stared
19:23at me steadily,
19:24as if searching
19:25my face for
19:26some other
19:26emotion.
19:27But eventually
19:28he looked
19:29away.
19:32Signing
19:32my resignation
19:33felt heavier
19:34than signing
19:35a divorce
19:35paper I
19:36never had.
19:39Three years
19:40of my life
19:41condensed
19:41into a
19:42single sheet
19:43of paper.
19:48I left
19:49work an
19:49hour early
19:50headed to
19:50the address
19:51Benjamin
19:51had given
19:52me.
19:53After three
19:53years together,
19:54I knew his
19:55preferences like
19:56the back of
19:57my hand.
19:59I never
20:00imagined the
20:00last thing I
20:01would ever do
20:01for him would
20:03be arranging
20:03his proposal.
20:05I spent an
20:05hour setting
20:06up the
20:06venue and
20:07planned to
20:07head out
20:07immediately.
20:12Unexpectedly,
20:13I ran into
20:14Emerson.
20:15The moment she
20:15saw me,
20:16she looked
20:17overjoyed,
20:18as if she had
20:19completely forgotten
20:20our unpleasant
20:20encounter.
20:21She linked
20:22her arm through
20:23mine affectionately,
20:24acting like we
20:25were the best
20:25of friends.
20:26Jenny,
20:27thank goodness
20:27you are here.
20:28I need to
20:29get into my
20:29dress.
20:30Could you
20:31help me?
20:32I had no
20:33real reason to
20:34refuse,
20:34so I agreed.
20:36I arranged
20:37roses and
20:38candles for
20:39his proposal
20:40to another
20:40woman.
20:41Every flower
20:42I placed
20:42felt like a
20:43nail in my
20:44own coffin.
20:48I followed
20:49Emerson to
20:50the dressing
20:50room.
20:51She stepped
20:52into the
20:52gown Benjamin
20:53had instructed
20:54me to pick
20:54up from the
20:55bridal shop.
20:56It was
20:56stunning,
20:58absolutely
20:58breathtaking.
20:59I remembered
21:00when that
21:01dress first
21:01debuted.
21:02I had
21:03stared at
21:03the magazine
21:04for hours.
21:05When
21:06Aunt Benjamin
21:07had seen
21:07it, he
21:08had said,
21:09Do you
21:09like it
21:10that much?
21:11I will
21:12buy it
21:12for you.
21:13I never
21:13imagined that
21:14just six
21:15months later,
21:16that very
21:16dress would
21:17be on
21:18Emerson.
21:21Jenny,
21:21how does
21:22it look?
21:23Emerson
21:24had pale
21:24skin,
21:25and in
21:25that dress
21:26she seemed
21:27to glow.
21:28It is
21:29beautiful.
21:30Emerson
21:30lifted the
21:31hem of
21:31her skirt
21:32and walked
21:33toward me
21:33gracefully,
21:34a faint smile
21:35on her lips.
21:36Too bad,
21:38beautiful things
21:38are always
21:39coveted by
21:40those who
21:41do not
21:41own them.
21:43That dress
21:43was supposed
21:44to be mine.
21:45I had been
21:46saving a picture
21:47of it on my
21:48phone for months.
21:49Now it was
21:50hers.
21:54along with
21:54everything else
21:55I had
21:55wanted.
21:58Being with
21:59Ben for
22:00three years,
22:00you actually
22:01thought he
22:01would end
22:02up with
22:02you,
22:02did you
22:02not?
22:03What a
22:04shame.
22:04Ben
22:05still cannot
22:06forget me.
22:07All your
22:07effort over
22:08the last
22:08three years
22:09was for
22:10nothing.
22:12I froze,
22:14so she
22:15knew everything.
22:16But I
22:16quickly regained
22:17my composure.
22:18Whatever I
22:19had with
22:19Benjamin had
22:20been mutual,
22:21I was
22:21never a
22:22homewrecker.
22:23Amarisian
22:24acting like
22:24a jealous
22:25wife was
22:25simply
22:25ridiculous.
22:27I pulled
22:28myself up
22:28to my
22:29full height
22:29and looked
22:30at her
22:30with a
22:30faint smile.
22:32How can
22:33a mutual
22:33relationship
22:35be called
22:35a waste
22:36of effort?
22:37For the
22:38past three
22:38years,
22:39I have
22:40had a
22:40handsome
22:40partner
22:41with
22:42incredible
22:43stamina
22:43for free.
22:45Who is
22:46to say
22:47who really
22:47lost out?
22:49Emerson's
22:50eyes
22:50instantly
22:51flared
22:51with rage.
22:52She lunged,
22:53raising her
22:53hand to
22:54slap me.
22:54Bitch!
22:56You
22:57shameless
22:57bitch!
22:58I blocked
22:59her easily,
23:00twisting her
23:01arm behind
23:02her back.
23:07I refused
23:08to let her
23:09see me break.
23:10I had already
23:11broken enough
23:12in private.
23:13If she
23:14wanted a
23:14fight,
23:16she would
23:17get one.
23:22resorting
23:23to violence
23:23because you
23:24are losing
23:24an argument?
23:25Who taught
23:26you that?
23:30Emerson
23:31suddenly wrenched
23:32her hand
23:32free,
23:33a sly,
23:34triumphant
23:34smile spreading
23:35across her
23:36lips.
23:36Who do
23:37you think
23:37Benjamin
23:38will believe
23:39in a
23:39minute?
23:40You
23:41or me?
23:42Before I
23:43knew it,
23:44Emerson
23:44pulled a
23:44pair of
23:45scissors
23:45out of
23:45nowhere and
23:46began violently
23:47hacking at
23:48her dress.
23:52Jenny,
23:53even if I
23:53offended you,
23:54you did
23:55not have
23:55to do
23:56this.
23:56She
23:57whimpered
23:57in a
23:57piddle
23:58voice.
24:00I froze
24:00for a
24:01slip
24:01second and
24:02then it
24:02clicked.
24:03This
24:03was all
24:03a
24:04performance.
24:07Emerson
24:07ripped the
24:08gown to
24:08shreds,
24:09threw the
24:09scissors to
24:10the floor,
24:10and then
24:11slapped
24:11herself hard
24:12across the
24:12face.
24:16Help!
24:17Jenny,
24:18please do
24:18not do
24:19this to
24:19me!
24:20I stepped
24:20forward,
24:21pinned her
24:21skirt down
24:22with my
24:22foot,
24:23and slapped
24:23her across
24:24the face.
24:26The sharp
24:27crack of
24:28the slap
24:28echoed
24:29through the
24:29room.
24:30I watched
24:31her destroy
24:31that beautiful
24:32dress and
24:33realized she
24:34would do
24:34anything to
24:35win.
24:35But I
24:36was no
24:36longer
24:37playing her
24:37game.
24:40Emerson
24:40was completely
24:41stunned.
24:42looking up
24:43at me in
24:43pure
24:44disbelief.
24:45You
24:45hit me?
24:46How dare
24:48you hit
24:48me?
24:49I gave
24:49a curt
24:50nod of
24:50approval.
24:51That is
24:52better.
24:52Your
24:53acting
24:53before was
24:54way too
24:54over the
24:55top.
24:55Flurry
24:56of
24:56frantic
24:56footsteps
24:57sounded
24:57from
24:58behind,
24:58followed
24:59by
24:59Benjamin's
24:59furious
25:00roar.
25:02Genevieve!
25:03What the
25:04hell are
25:04you doing?
25:05Emerson
25:06tried to
25:06lunge
25:07toward
25:07at
25:07Benjamin,
25:08dragging
25:08her
25:09tattered
25:09dress
25:09behind
25:10her.
25:11I
25:11stepped
25:12forward
25:12again,
25:13pinning
25:13her
25:13skirt
25:13back
25:14down.
25:16I
25:16grabbed
25:17her
25:17by the
25:17hair
25:17and
25:17delivered
25:18a
25:18hard
25:18slap
25:19to
25:19both
25:19sides
25:20of
25:20her
25:20face.
25:21This
25:21time,
25:22Emerson's
25:23tears
25:23were real.
25:24She
25:25looked so
25:25fragile,
25:26L,
25:26and broken
25:26that
25:27anyone
25:28would have
25:28felt a
25:28surge
25:29of pity.
25:30Benjamin
25:30completely
25:31lost it.
25:32Apologize
25:33to
25:33Amersi.
25:35Now!
25:36Why
25:37should
25:37I
25:37apologize?
25:38I
25:39did
25:39not
25:39do
25:39anything
25:40wrong.
25:40I
25:41wrenched
25:41my
25:41hand
25:42from
25:42his
25:42grip
25:42and
25:43lunged
25:43at
25:43the
25:43sobbing
25:44Emerson
25:44again.
25:47I
25:48slapped
25:48her
25:48twice
25:48more
25:49before
25:50roughly
25:50tearing
25:51the
25:51tattered
25:51remains
25:52of the
25:52dress
25:52right
25:53off
25:53her
25:53body.
25:56You
25:56wanted
25:57it
25:57shredded?
25:58Let
25:58me
25:58help
25:58you!
25:59With
25:59her
25:59only
25:59cover
26:00ripped
26:00away,
26:01Emerson
26:01screamed
26:02in
26:02terror.
26:02A
26:03crowd
26:03had
26:04already
26:04gathered
26:04outside
26:04the
26:05door,
26:05leaving
26:06her
26:06with
26:06nowhere
26:06to
26:07hide.
26:07Benjamin
26:08grabbed
26:08my
26:08hand
26:09in
26:09a
26:09blind
26:09rage
26:09and
26:10slapped
26:10me
26:10across
26:10the
26:11face.
26:13Are
26:14you
26:14finished?
26:15Who
26:16do you
26:16think
26:16you
26:17are
26:17to
26:17lay
26:17a
26:17fender
26:17on
26:18Emmy?
26:18You
26:19are
26:19nothing
26:19but
26:19my
26:19employee.
26:21What
26:21makes
26:22you
26:22think
26:22you
26:22matter?
26:23I
26:23am
26:23telling
26:24you
26:24one
26:24last
26:24time.
26:26Apologize!
26:27It
26:27had
26:27been
26:28a
26:28long
26:28time
26:28since
26:29Aunt
26:32Tone.
26:34Tears
26:34stung
26:34my
26:35eyes
26:35but
26:35I
26:35forced
26:36them
26:36back
26:37refusing
26:37to
26:38let
26:38a
26:38single
26:38one
26:39fall.
26:39I
26:40lifted
26:40my
26:40foot
26:40and
26:41kicked
26:41him
26:41hard
26:41in
26:41the
26:42shin.
26:43Go
26:44to
26:44hell
26:44with
26:44your
26:45apology!
26:46I
26:47pushed
26:47through
26:47the
26:48crowd
26:48and
26:48ran
26:48as
26:49fast
26:49as
26:49I
26:49could.
26:52I
26:52ran
26:52until
26:53my
26:53lungs
26:53burnt
26:54and
26:54my
26:54legs
26:54gave
26:55out.
26:59I
27:00did
27:00not
27:00look
27:00back.
27:01I
27:01was
27:01never
27:01going
27:01back.
27:05I
27:06contacted
27:06the
27:06venue
27:07manager
27:07and
27:07pulled
27:08the
27:08surveillance
27:08footage
27:09from
27:09the
27:09dressing
27:09room.
27:10I
27:11cast
27:11it
27:11onto
27:11the
27:12venue's
27:12big
27:12screen
27:13for
27:13everyone
27:13to
27:14see.
27:17I
27:18packed
27:18my
27:18things
27:19overnight
27:19and
27:20booked
27:20a
27:20flight
27:20back
27:20to
27:20my
27:21hometown.
27:25Before
27:25boarding,
27:26I
27:26checked
27:27my
27:27phone
27:27one
27:27last
27:28time.
27:30Benjamin
27:31had
27:31posted
27:32a
27:32new
27:32update
27:32on
27:32Instagram.
27:33It
27:34was as
27:34a
27:34photo
27:34of
27:35Emerson's
27:35hand
27:36wearing
27:36a
27:36ring.
27:37The
27:37caption
27:38was
27:38simple.
27:39Hello,
27:39Mrs.
27:40Kilbreff.
27:40I
27:41blocked
27:41him.
27:42Then I
27:42stepped
27:42onto the
27:43plane
27:43and went
27:44home.
27:46I had
27:47not been
27:47home for
27:47the holidays
27:48and
27:48three
27:48years
27:50all
27:50because
27:51I
27:51wanted
27:51to
27:51keep
27:51Benjamin
27:52company.
27:55When
27:55my
27:55parents
27:56saw
27:56me,
27:56they
27:57were
27:57overjoyed.
27:59A
28:00wave
28:00of
28:00bitterness
28:01welled
28:01up
28:01inside
28:01me.
28:03Being
28:03loved
28:04feels
28:04like
28:04finally
28:05having
28:05a
28:05place
28:05to
28:06lean
28:06on.
28:07The
28:08surveillance
28:08footage
28:09played
28:09like a
28:09movie
28:10in
28:10reverse.
28:12Everyone
28:13saw
28:13the
28:13truth.
28:14Whether
28:15they
28:15believed
28:15it
28:15was
28:16up
28:16to
28:16them.
28:17I
28:17was
28:17done
28:18caring
28:18about
28:18what
28:19anyone
28:19thought.
28:22I
28:22bought
28:23new
28:23clothes
28:23for
28:23my
28:23parents,
28:24took
28:24them
28:25into
28:25town
28:25for
28:25holiday
28:26shopping,
28:26and
28:27decorated
28:27the
28:27house.
28:28The
28:28small
28:29town
28:29was
28:29already
28:30buzzing
28:30with
28:31festive
28:31spirit.
28:32Caught
28:33up in
28:33the
28:33atmosphere,
28:34I
28:35felt
28:35a
28:35genuine
28:36sense
28:36of
28:36peace
28:37for
28:37the
28:37first
28:38time
28:38in
28:38a
28:39long
28:39while.
28:45During
28:46this
28:46time,
28:46Benjamin
28:47sent
28:47me
28:47dozens
28:47of
28:48friend
28:48requests
28:48and
28:49messages.
28:51Since
28:52when did
28:52you
28:52resign?
28:56Who
28:56gave
28:57you
28:57permission
28:58to
28:58quit?
29:00Emmy
29:00might have
29:01acted
29:01impulsively
29:02that day,
29:03but she
29:03did not
29:03mean
29:03any harm.
29:04Do
29:05not be
29:05so
29:05petty.
29:06I
29:06have
29:06forgiven
29:06you.
29:08Reply
29:08when
29:08you
29:08see
29:09this.
29:12I
29:12did
29:13not
29:13accept
29:13a
29:13single
29:14request.
29:15He
29:15called
29:16me
29:16repeatedly,
29:16but I
29:17never
29:17picked
29:17up
29:18once.
29:18As
29:19time
29:19passed,
29:20the
29:20messages
29:21stopped
29:21coming.
29:25But
29:26on
29:26Christmas
29:26Eve,
29:27I
29:27received
29:28a
29:28call
29:28from
29:28an
29:28unknown
29:29number.
29:29At
29:30first,
29:30there
29:30was
29:31only
29:31silence
29:31on
29:32the
29:32other
29:32end.
29:33Then
29:33Benjamin
29:33Zinn's
29:34anxious
29:34voice
29:34came
29:35through.
29:35Don't
29:36hang
29:36up.
29:36It
29:37is
29:37me.
29:39Christmas
29:40lights
29:40twinkled
29:41in
29:41the
29:41small
29:41town.
29:42People
29:43smiled
29:43at
29:43each
29:44other
29:44on
29:44the
29:44street.
29:45For
29:45the
29:46first
29:46time
29:46in
29:46three
29:47years,
29:47I
29:48felt
29:49like
29:49I
29:49was
29:49home.
29:51I
29:52heard
29:52you
29:52went
29:53back
29:53to
29:53your
29:53hometown
29:53for
29:54the
29:54holidays.
29:54His
29:55voice
29:55was
29:56low,
29:56as
29:57if
29:57he
29:57were
29:57struggling
29:57to
29:58hold
29:58something
29:58back.
29:59It
29:59reminded
30:00me
30:00of
30:00the
30:00first
30:00year
30:01I
30:01spent
30:01the
30:01holidays
30:02with
30:02him
30:02in
30:02Houston.
30:04Benjamin
30:04was
30:05an
30:05illegitimate
30:05son.
30:06He
30:07was
30:07not
30:07brought
30:08into
30:08the
30:08family
30:08until
30:09after
30:09his
30:09mother
30:09passed
30:10away.
30:11That
30:11year,
30:12he
30:12had
30:12been
30:12locked
30:13in
30:13a
30:13brutal
30:13power
30:14struggle
30:14for
30:14control
30:15of
30:15the
30:15company.
30:16His
30:16mother
30:17was
30:17gone.
30:17He
30:18had
30:18burned
30:18every
30:19bridge
30:19with
30:19his
30:19family.
30:21He
30:21had
30:22no
30:22one
30:22to
30:22spend
30:22the
30:22holidays
30:23with.
30:24On
30:24Christmas
30:24Eve,
30:25I
30:25had
30:25made
30:25a
30:26video
30:26call
30:26to
30:26him.
30:27He
30:27looked
30:27drunk,
30:28drinking
30:29alone
30:29on
30:29the
30:35Merry
30:35Christmas,
30:36Genevieve.
30:38It
30:39is
30:39so
30:40quiet
30:40without
30:40you
30:41here.
30:42Please
30:42come
30:43back
30:43soon.
30:44I
30:45miss
30:45you
30:45so
30:45much.
30:46I
30:47never
30:47expected
30:48he
30:48would
30:48be
30:48thinking
30:48of
30:49me
30:49this
30:49year,
30:50with
30:50Emerson
30:50back
30:51by
30:51his
30:51side.
30:54I
30:55snapped
30:55back
30:55to
30:56reality
30:56and
30:56kept
30:57my
30:57voice
30:57steady.
30:58Yeah,
30:59I
30:59have
30:59not
30:59home
30:59for
31:00the
31:00holidays
31:00in
31:00years.
31:01He
31:02paused
31:02for
31:02a
31:02moment,
31:03then
31:03asked,
31:04Are
31:05you
31:05coming
31:05back
31:05after
31:05the
31:05break?
31:07Before
31:08I
31:08could
31:08answer,
31:09I
31:09heard
31:09a
31:09woman's
31:10voice
31:10faintly
31:11in
31:11the
31:11background.
31:12Ben,
31:13can
31:13you
31:13get
31:13my
31:13coat?
31:14I
31:14forgot
31:14it.
31:14I
31:14have
31:14to
31:15go.
31:15Benjamin
31:16said
31:16hersily.
31:17The
31:17line
31:18went
31:18dead.
31:19Outside
31:19the
31:19window,
31:20fireworks
31:20erupted,
31:21brilliant
31:21against
31:21the
31:22night
31:22sky.
31:24The
31:24holiday
31:25specials
31:25on
31:25TV
31:26were
31:26getting
31:26more
31:26boring.
31:27My
31:27mom
31:27glanced
31:28over
31:28at
31:28me.
31:28Our
31:29neighbor's
31:34going
31:34to
31:34bring
31:34a
31:34boyfriend
31:35home.
31:36When
31:37I
31:37did
31:37not
31:37push
31:38back,
31:38she
31:39pulled
31:39out
31:39her
31:39phone
31:40and
31:40kept
31:40going.
31:41Why
31:42do
31:42not
31:42you
31:42meet
31:43up
31:43with
31:43this
31:43guy
31:43while
31:44you
31:44are
31:44still
31:45in
31:45town?
31:45This
31:46time,
31:46I
31:47did
31:47not
31:47refuse.
31:49Sure.
31:50Set
31:50up a
31:50time for
31:51us
31:51to
31:51meet.
31:51I
31:52heard
31:52Emerson's
31:52voice
31:53in the
31:53background
31:53and
31:54realized
31:54nothing
31:54had
31:55changed.
31:55I
31:56was
31:56still
31:56the
31:56one
31:56on
31:56the
31:57outside
31:58looking
31:58in.
32:04good.
32:07On
32:08the
32:08third
32:08day
32:08of
32:09the
32:09break,
32:09I
32:10met
32:10the
32:10man
32:10my
32:10mother
32:11had
32:11arranged
32:11for
32:11me.
32:12He
32:13was
32:13based
32:13in
32:14Houston,
32:15came
32:15from
32:15a
32:15well-off
32:16family,
32:16and
32:17was
32:17charming.
32:19I
32:20am
32:20at
32:20Caden
32:20Mansfield.
32:22He
32:22held
32:22out
32:23his
32:23hand,
32:24his
32:24eyes
32:24bright
32:24with
32:25interest.
32:25We
32:26both
32:26had
32:26a
32:26good
32:27first
32:27impression.
32:28Our
32:28parents
32:29seemed
32:29even
32:30more
32:30pleased.
32:32I
32:33never
32:33expected
32:34at
32:34Benjamin
32:34to
32:35suddenly
32:35show
32:35up
32:35and
32:36crash
32:36the
32:36date.
32:39He
32:40plopped
32:41down
32:41right
32:41next
32:41to
32:42me.
32:43Caden
32:43looked
32:44over,
32:44confused.
32:45And
32:46who
32:46is
32:46this?
32:47I
32:48am
32:48her
32:48boss,
32:49Benjamin
32:49stated.
32:50I
32:50corrected
32:51him
32:51immediately.
32:52Former
32:53boss,
32:54I
32:55already
32:55resigned.
32:56Genevieve,
32:57I
32:57am
32:57not
32:57accepting
32:58your
32:58resignation.
32:59Benjamin
32:59stared
33:00at
33:00me
33:00intently,
33:01his
33:01gaze
33:02firm
33:02and
33:03unyielding.
33:04Caden
33:05offered
33:05a
33:05polite
33:05smile.
33:07Maybe
33:08we
33:08should
33:08talk
33:09another
33:09time,
33:10when
33:10you
33:10are
33:10free.
33:11Despite
33:11at
33:12Benjamin's
33:12murderous
33:13glare,
33:13I
33:14exchanged
33:14contact
33:15info with
33:16Caden
33:16before
33:16he
33:16left.
33:17time.
33:23I
33:23know
33:23you
33:23are
33:23only
33:24doing
33:24this
33:24to
33:24make
33:24me
33:24jealous.
33:26I
33:26will
33:27make
33:27Emmy
33:27apologize
33:27to
33:28you.
33:29Can
33:29you
33:29just
33:29forgive
33:29her
33:30and
33:30forgive
33:30me
33:30too?
33:32I
33:32am
33:32done
33:32with
33:32her.
33:34I
33:34thought
33:34I
33:34could
33:34never
33:35let
33:35go
33:35of
33:35her,
33:35but
33:35the
33:36truth
33:36is
33:37Benjamin
33:38gripped
33:38my
33:38shoulders
33:38with
33:39both
33:39hands,
33:40his
33:40words
33:40tumbling
33:41out
33:41in a
33:41desperate
33:42rush.
33:42I
33:43cut
33:43him
33:43off,
33:44my
33:44voice
33:44cold
33:45as
33:45ice.
33:47Benjamin,
33:48we were
33:49never
33:49anything
33:49more than
33:50a boss
33:50and his
33:51employee.
33:52Do
33:52not
33:53make
33:53this
33:53more
33:53complicated
33:54than
33:54it
33:54is.
33:55You
33:55are
33:56engaged
33:56to
33:56Emerson.
33:58Let
33:58us
33:58not
33:59drag
33:59this
33:59out.
34:00It
34:01is
34:01better
34:01for
34:01everyone
34:02if
34:02we
34:02just
34:02move
34:02on.
34:03Suddenly,
34:04Benjamin
34:05pulled
34:05out a
34:05ring and
34:06dropped
34:06to
34:06one
34:06knee.
34:08I
34:08am
34:08serious
34:09about
34:09us,
34:09Jenny.
34:11I
34:12was
34:12an
34:12idiot.
34:14I
34:14did
34:14not
34:15know
34:15how
34:15to
34:15cherish
34:15what
34:16we
34:16had.
34:17But
34:17I
34:17see
34:17it
34:18now.
34:18Let
34:19us
34:19get
34:19married.
34:20We
34:21can
34:21go
34:21to
34:21Bali,
34:22your
34:22favorite
34:23place.
34:24I
34:24slapped
34:24the
34:25ring
34:25out
34:25of
34:25his
34:25hand.
34:28Benjamin,
34:29you
34:30are
34:30being
34:30a
34:30nuisance.
34:32I
34:32do
34:32not
34:33have
34:33any
34:33feelings
34:33left
34:34for
34:34you.
34:34I
34:35am
34:35begging
34:36you,
34:36stop
34:37haunting
34:37me.
34:38You
34:39are
34:39only
34:39making
34:39me
34:40sick.
34:44After the
34:45holidays,
34:46my
34:46relationship
34:47with
34:47Caden
34:47naturally
34:48fell
34:48into
34:49place.
34:50We
34:50eventually
34:51reached
34:51the point
34:52of
34:52discussing
34:52marriage.
34:53I
34:54had
34:54not
34:54seen
34:54Benjamin
34:55in
34:55over
34:55six
34:56months.
34:57Strangely
34:57enough,
34:58the man
34:59I once
35:00thought I
35:00would spend
35:00the rest
35:01of my
35:01life
35:01with
35:02now
35:02felt
35:03like
35:03a
35:03stranger.
35:04I
35:04only
35:05heard
35:05news
35:05of him
35:06again
35:06through
35:06a
35:06former
35:06colleague.
35:08Mr.
35:09Kill
35:10Breath
35:10called off
35:11the wedding
35:12to
35:12Emerson.
35:13Nobody
35:14knows
35:14why
35:14he
35:14pulled
35:15the
35:15plug.
35:15I
35:16simply
35:16smiled,
35:17my
35:18heart
35:18completely
35:19still.
35:20At
35:20the
35:21end
35:21of
35:21the
35:21year,
35:22Caden
35:22asked
35:23if I
35:23would
35:23accompany
35:24him
35:24to
35:24a
35:25corporate
35:25summit.
35:26I
35:27never
35:27expected
35:27to run
35:28into
35:28at
35:28Benjamin
35:28there.
35:30After
35:30a
35:31year
35:31apart,
35:32he
35:32had
35:32grown
35:33much
35:33thinner.
35:34His
35:34presence
35:35felt
35:35more
35:35settled.
35:36When
35:36he
35:36saw
35:37me,
35:37he
35:37walked
35:38over.
35:42Long
35:42time
35:42no
35:43see.
35:46Benjamin
35:46followed
35:47my
35:47gaze
35:47toward
35:48Caden
35:49in
35:49the
35:49distance.
35:51His
35:51face
35:51darkened.
35:54I
35:54thought
35:54you
35:55were
35:55not
35:55serious
35:55about
35:55him.
35:56My
35:57smile
35:57remained
35:57unchanged.
35:59I
35:59never
35:59play
36:00games
36:00with
36:00people's
36:00feelings.
36:02Benjamin
36:03finally
36:04lost
36:04his
36:04composure.
36:05I
36:06thought
36:06giving
36:07you
36:07a
36:07year
36:07would
36:07help
36:08you
36:08understand.
36:09I
36:10was
36:10wrong
36:10back
36:10then.
36:12The
36:13truth
36:13is
36:13I
36:13have
36:13always
36:14loved
36:14you.
36:14I
36:14cut
36:15him
36:15off,
36:15lifting
36:16my
36:16hand
36:16to
36:16show
36:17him
36:17the
36:17diamond
36:17ring
36:18on
36:18my
36:18finger.
36:19I
36:19am
36:20getting
36:20married.
36:21For
36:22a
36:22moment,
36:23at
36:23Benjamin
36:23looked
36:24like
36:24he
36:24was
36:24falling
36:24apart.
36:25He
36:26shouted,
36:27He
36:32made
36:32such a
36:33scene
36:33that
36:33everyone
36:34nearby
36:34turned
36:35to
36:35stare.
36:37Caden
36:37walked
36:37over,
36:38stepping
36:38beside
36:39me.
36:40Benjamin
36:41threw
36:41a punch
36:41at his
36:41face.
36:42I
36:43screamed,
36:45I
36:46quickly
36:47stepped
36:47in front
36:48of
36:48Caden.
36:49Caden.
36:50he was
36:51not
36:51seriously
36:52injured.
36:53I
36:53took
36:54Caden's
36:54hand
36:54and
36:55turned
36:55to
36:55leave.
36:56Benjamin
36:56did
36:56not
36:56chase
36:57after
36:57us.
36:58The
36:59rest
36:59of
36:59the
36:59summit
36:59went
37:00smoothly.
37:02I
37:02did
37:02not
37:03run
37:03into
37:03Benjamin
37:04again.
37:05As
37:06we
37:06drove
37:06away,
37:07I
37:07saw
37:08him
37:08in
37:08the
37:08rearview
37:08mirror,
37:09slowly
37:10bending
37:10over,
37:12clutching
37:12something
37:13to
37:13his
37:13chest.
37:13I
37:14looked
37:15away
37:15and
37:16took
37:16Caden's
37:16hand.
37:18It
37:19is
37:19finally
37:19over.
37:20He
37:20squeezed
37:21my
37:21hand
37:21back.
37:24Yeah.
37:26It
37:26is
37:27all
37:27over.
37:28Life
37:28is
37:28long,
37:29but
37:29Benjamin
37:29was
37:30only
37:30ever
37:30a
37:30passing
37:31figure.
37:32My
37:32future
37:33was
37:33waiting
37:33for me
37:34in
37:34the
37:34days
37:34that
37:34lay
37:34ahead.
37:36I
37:39would
37:39have
37:39been
37:39to
37:39the
37:39end.
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