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