- 9 hours ago
New🔥Three Years as His, Now I'm Mine
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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.
01:42And 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.
02:27My 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,
03:21his 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.
03:35All right.
03:36I 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 extailed 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.
06:13The man's face darkened.
06:15Instantly.
06:16The entire room went silent.
06:19Trembling.
06:20I 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.
07:05I 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.
07:24I 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
08:50made 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
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.
09:48You 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,
10:19he was leading Emersian 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 Emersian walk toward the car,
10:38and I felt nothing.
10:41Not jealousy.
10:43Not anger.
10:45Just a quiet, tired acceptance.
10:53Emersian looped her arm through At Benjamin's
10:56and gave me a playful look.
10:58Jenny.
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 and aching.
11:30The moment I got back inside,
11:33the lively chatted in the back street stopped instantly.
11:36Benjamin pulled out a pack of cigarettes
11:38and started to take one out.
11:41Then he hesitated and put it back.
11:45A second later,
11:46I heard Emerson's delicate voice from 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 at 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,
12:44at Benjamin's inner circle crowded 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 you 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,
13:18invisible as always.
13:21The two of them were ushered
13:23into the private room
13:24surrounded by the crowd.
13:25When at Marco spotted me
13:28trailing behind,
13:29his expression shifted to awkwardness.
13:34Miss...
13:35Miss Tillmy,
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.
13:53Emi,
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.
14:18Benjamin 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
14:31in my glass.
14:33Her expression soured further.
14:36Marco 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 or 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
15:20erupted into cheers.
15:23Soon,
15:23a rash broke out
15:25all over my body,
15:26spreading in a thick crawl
15:27up at my neck.
15:29Someone spotted it
15:30and gasped in alarm.
15:33Oh my God,
15:34you are having
15:35an allergic reaction!
15:36Benjamin 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 pimpzing
15:57with the physical
15:57for nothing
15:58compared to the coldness
15:59in 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 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.
16:31You two have been
16:33inseparable
16:33these last three years.
16:36Emerson stared
16:36straight at me,
16:38the malice plain
16:39in her eyes.
16:41Jenny,
16:42is there some other
16:43side 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
17:07what 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,
17:29his voice
17:30soft and pleading.
17:33Genevieve,
17:35will you take
17:36me home?
17:39He leaned
17:40against my shoulder,
17:41nuzzling into my neck
17:42like he was
17:43desperate for affection.
17:45Do you really
17:46think we are
17:47only?
17:48Do you have
17:49any idea?
17:50I did not
17:51catch the rest.
17:52A second later,
17:53Aunt Benjamin
17:54was yanked
17:55away from me.
17:59Emerson
17:59stood there
18:00like she was
18:01guarding her
18:01territory,
18:02propping
18:03Aunt Benjamin
18:04up as she
18:04glared at me.
18:07Jenny,
18:09since you are
18:09just his
18:10employee,
18:11you should
18:12keep your
18:12distance
18:13from a man
18:14who is
18:14already engaged.
18:16Otherwise,
18:17people might
18:18start to talk,
18:19do you not
18:20think?
18:20I nodded,
18:21my face a
18:22mask of
18:23indifference.
18:25You are
18:26absolutely
18:26right.
18:27I watched
18:29Emerson
18:29lead him
18:29away and
18:30realized I
18:31was already
18:31a ghost
18:32in his
18:32world.
18:33It was
18:34time for
18:34me to
18:34disappear
18:35completely.
18:37For a
18:38week,
18:39aside from
18:40work,
18:41Benjamin and
18:41I had no
18:42private contact
18:43at all.
18:44My resignation
18:45was approved
18:46quickly through
18:47the company
18:47portal.
18:48The final
18:49step only
18:50required
18:50Benjamin's
18:51signature.
18:52I printed
18:53a hard copy,
18:54walked into
18:55his office,
18:56and handed
18:56the letter
18:56to him.
18:57He was
18:58on a call,
18:59his voice
19:00unusually
19:01gentle.
19:02Without
19:02even glancing
19:03at the paper,
19:04he signed
19:04his name
19:05in a few
19:05quick strokes.
19:07I turned
19:07to leave,
19:08but he
19:09stopped me.
19:10I am
19:11proposing to
19:11Emmy
19:11tonight.
19:12Leave
19:13early this
19:13afternoon to
19:14go set
19:14up the
19:14venue.
19:15Benjamin
19:15leaned back
19:16in his
19:16leather
19:17seat and
19:18calmly gave
19:18the order.
19:19I nodded
19:20to show I
19:20understood.
19:21Is there
19:21anything else?
19:22He stared
19:23at me
19:24steadily,
19:24as if
19:25searching my
19:25face 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
19:34a divorce
19:35paper I
19:35never had.
19:39Three years
19:40of my life
19:41condensed
19:41into a
19:42single sheet
19:42of paper.
19:48I left
19:49work an
19:49hour early
19:50headed to
19:50the address
19:51Benjamin
19:51had given
19:52me.
19:52After
19:53three years
19:54together,
19:54I knew
19:55his preferences
19:56like the
19:57back of
19:57my
19:57hand.
19:59I never
20:00imagined
20:00the last
20:00thing I
20:01would ever
20:01do for
20:01him would
20:03be arranging
20:03his proposal.
20:04I spent
20:05an hour
20:06setting up
20:06the venue
20:06and planned
20:07to head
20:07out immediately.
20:12Unexpectedly,
20:13I ran
20:13into Emerson.
20:14The moment
20:15she saw
20:16me,
20:16she looked
20:17overjoyed,
20:18as if she
20:18had completely
20:19forgotten our
20:20unpleasant
20:20encounter.
20:21She linked
20:22her arm
20:22through mine
20:23affectionately,
20:24acting like
20:25we were the
20:25best of
20:25friends.
20:26Jenny,
20:27thank goodness
20:27you are
20:28here.
20:28I need
20:29to get
20:29into my
20:29dress.
20:30Could
20:30you help
20:31me?
20:32I had
20:32no real
20:33reason to
20:34refuse,
20:34so I
20:35agreed.
20:36I arranged
20:37roses and
20:38candles for
20:39his proposal
20:39to another
20:40woman.
20:41Every flower
20:42I placed
20:42felt like a
20:43nail in my
20:43own 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.
20:55It was
20:56stunning,
20:57absolutely
20:58breathtaking.
20:59I remembered
21:00when that dress
21:01first debuted.
21:02I had stared
21:03at the magazine
21:03for hours.
21:05When
21:06Aunt Benjamin
21:06had seen it,
21:08he had said,
21:08Do you like
21:09it that
21:10much?
21:11I will
21:11buy 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.
21:20Jenny,
21:21how does
21:22it look?
21:23Emerson had
21:24pale skin,
21:24and in that
21:25dress, she
21:26seemed to
21:27glow.
21:28It is
21:29beautiful.
21:30Emerson lifted
21:31the hem of
21:31her skirt and
21:32walked toward
21:33me gracefully,
21:34a faint smile
21:35on her lips.
21:36Too bad,
21:37beautiful things
21:38are always
21:39coveted by
21:40those who
21:40do not
21:41own them.
21:42That dress
21:43was supposed
21:44to be mine.
21:45I had been
21:46saving a picture
21:47of it on my
21:47phone for
21:48months.
21:49Now it was
21:50hers,
21:53along with
21:54everything else
21:55I had wanted.
21:58Being with
21:59Ben for
21:59three years,
22:00you actually
22:01thought he
22:01would end up
22:02with you,
22:02did you not?
22:03What a shame.
22:04Ben still
22:05cannot forget
22:06me.
22:06All your
22:07effort over
22:08the last
22:08three years
22:09was for
22:10nothing.
22:12I froze,
22:14so she
22:14knew everything,
22:15but 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
22:21homewrecker.
22:23Emerson acting
22:24like a
22:24jealous wife
22:25was simply
22:25ridiculous.
22:27I pulled
22:27myself up
22:28to my
22:28full height
22:29and looked
22:30at her
22:30with a
22:30faint smile.
22:32How can
22:32a mutual
22:33relationship
22:34be called
22:35a waste
22:36of effort?
22:37For the
22:38past three
22:38years,
22:39I have
22:39had a
22:40handsome
22:40partner
22:41with
22:42incredible
22:43stamina
22:43for free.
22:45Who is
22:46to say
22:46who really
22:47lost out?
22:49Emerson's
22:50eyes instantly
22:50flared with
22:51rage.
22:52She lunged,
22:53raising her
22:53hand to
22:53slap me.
22:54Bitch!
22:56You
22:56shameless
22:57bitch!
22:58I blocked
22:59her easily,
23:00twisting her
23:01arm behind
23:01her back.
23:07I refused
23:08to let her
23:09see me break.
23:10I had
23:10already broken
23:11enough in
23:12private.
23:13If she
23:14wanted a
23:14fight,
23:15she would
23:16get one.
23:22Resorting
23:23to violence
23:23because you
23:24are losing
23:24an argument?
23:26Who taught
23:26you that?
23:30Emerson
23:31suddenly
23:31wrenched
23:31her hand
23:32free,
23:32a sly,
23:33triumphant
23:34smile spreading
23:35across her
23:35lips.
23:36Who do you
23:37think Benjamin
23:38will believe
23:39in a minute?
23:40You or
23:41me?
23:42Before I
23:43knew it,
23:44Emerson
23:44pulled a
23:44pair of
23:45scissors out
23:45of nowhere
23:46and began
23:46violently
23:47hacking at
23:48her dress.
23:52Jenny,
23:53even if I
23:53offended you,
23:54you did
23:55not have
23:55to do
23:55this.
23:56She whimpered
23:57in a
23:57piddle
23:57voice.
24:00I froze
24:00for a
24:01slip
24:01second and
24:01then it
24:02clicked.
24:02This was
24:03all a
24:03performance.
24:07Emerson
24:07ripped the
24:08gown to
24:08shreds,
24:09threw the
24:09scissors to
24:10the floor,
24:10and then
24:10slapped
24:11herself hard
24:11across the
24:12face.
24:16help!
24:17Jenny,
24:18please do
24:18not do
24:19this to
24:19me!
24:20I
24:20stepped
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 the
24:28slap echoed
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 was
24:36no longer
24:36playing her
24:37game.
24:40Emerson
24:40was completely
24:41stunned,
24:42looking up at
24:43me in pure
24:44disbelief.
24:45You hit me?
24:46How dare
24:47you hit me?
24:49I gave a
24:49curt nod of
24:50approval.
24:51That is
24:52better.
24:52Your acting
24:53before was
24:54way too
24:54over the
24:55top.
24:55Flurry of
24:56frantic
24:56footsteps
24:57sounded from
24:57behind,
24:58followed by
24:59Benjamin's
24:59furious roar.
25:01Genevieve!
25:03What the
25:03hell are you
25:04doing?
25:05Emerson
25:06tried to
25:06lunge
25:07toward
25:07at
25:07Benjamin,
25:08dragging
25:08her
25:09tattered
25:09dress
25:09behind
25:09her.
25:11I stepped
25:11forward
25:12again,
25:13pinning her
25:13skirt back
25:14down.
25:15I grabbed
25:16her by the
25:17hair and
25:17delivered a
25:18hard slap
25:19to both
25:19sides of
25:20her face.
25:21This time,
25:22Emerson's
25:23tears were
25:23real.
25:24She looked
25:25so fragile
25:25and broken
25:26that anyone
25:27would have
25:28felt a
25:28surge of
25:29pity.
25:30Benjamin
25:30completely
25:31lost it.
25:32Apologize
25:33to a
25:33mercy.
25:35Now!
25:36Why
25:37should I
25:37apologize?
25:38I did
25:39not do
25:39anything
25:40wrong.
25:40I
25:41wrenched
25:41my hand
25:41from his
25:42grip and
25:42lunged at
25:43the sobbing
25:44Emerson
25:44again.
25:47I slapped
25:48her twice
25:48more before
25:49roughly tearing
25:51the tattered
25:51remains of the
25:52dress right
25:53off her
25:53body.
25:55You
25:56wanted it
25:57shredded?
25:57Let me
25:58help you!
25:59With her
25:59only cover
26:00ripped away,
26:01Emerson screamed
26:01in terror.
26:02A crowd
26:03had already
26:04gathered outside
26:04the door,
26:05leaving her
26:06with nowhere
26:06to hide.
26:07Benjamin
26:08grabbed my
26:08hand in a
26:09blind rage
26:09and slapped
26:10me across
26:10the face.
26:13Are you
26:14finished?
26:15Who do you
26:16think you are
26:17to lay a
26:17fender on
26:18Emmy?
26:18You are
26:18nothing but
26:19my employee.
26:21What makes
26:21you think
26:22you matter?
26:23I am
26:23telling you
26:24one last
26:24time!
26:26Apologize!
26:27It had
26:27been a long
26:28time since
26:29Aunt
26:29Benjamin
26:29had spoken
26:30to me
26:31in such
26:31a cold,
26:32brutal
26:32tone.
26:33Tears
26:34stung my
26:34eyes,
26:35but I
26:35forced
26:36them
26:36back,
26:37refusing
26:37to let
26:38a single
26:38one fall.
26:39I lifted
26:40my foot
26:40and kicked
26:41him hard
26:41in the
26:41shin.
26:43Go to
26:44hell
26:44with your
26:44apology!
26:46I pushed
26:47through the
26:47crowd and
26:48ran as
26:48fast as
26:49I could.
26:51I ran
26:52until my
26:53lungs burnt
26:53and my
26:54legs gave
26:55out.
26:59I did
27:00not look
27:00back.
27:00I was
27:01never
27:01going
27:01back.
27:05I
27:06contacted
27:06the venue
27:07manager and
27:07pulled the
27:08surveillance
27:08footage from
27:09the dressing
27:09room.
27:10I cast it
27:11onto the
27:11venue's big
27:12screen for
27:13everyone to
27:13see.
27:17I packed
27:18my things
27:18overnight and
27:19booked a
27:20flight back
27:20to my
27:20hometown.
27:24Before
27:25boarding,
27:26I checked
27:27my phone one
27:27last time.
27:30Benjamin had
27:31posted a new
27:32update on
27:32Instagram.
27:33It was as a
27:34photo of
27:35Emerson's hand
27:35wearing a
27:36ring.
27:37The caption
27:37was simple.
27:39Hello,
27:39Mrs.
27:40Kilbreth.
27:40I blocked
27:41him.
27:41Then I
27:42stepped onto
27:43the plane
27:43and went
27:44home.
27:46I had not
27:47been home for
27:47the holidays
27:48in three
27:48years.
27:50All because
27:50I wanted to
27:51keep Benjamin
27:52company.
27:55When my
27:55parents saw
27:56me, they
27:57were overjoyed.
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
28:16them.
28:17I was done
28:18caring about
28:18what anyone
28:19thought.
28:22I bought
28:22new clothes
28:23for my
28:23parents,
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
28:33atmosphere,
28:34I felt a
28:35genuine sense
28:36of peace
28:37for the first
28:38time in a
28:38long while.
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 that
29:02day, but she
29:03did not mean
29:03any harm.
29:04Do not be so
29:05petty.
29:06I have forgiven
29:06you.
29:07Reply when you
29:08see this.
29:12I did not
29:13accept a
29:13single request.
29:15He called
29:15me repeatedly,
29:16but I never
29:17picked up once.
29:18As time
29:19passed, the
29:20messages stopped
29:21coming.
29:25But on
29:26Christmas Eve,
29:27I received a
29:28call from an
29:28unknown number.
29:29At first, there
29:30was only 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 lights
29:40twinkled in the
29:41small town.
29:42People smiled
29:43at each other
29:44on the street.
29:45For the first
29:46time in three
29:47years, I felt
29:48like I was
29:49home.
29:51I heard you
29:52went back to
29:53your hometown
29:53for the holidays.
29:54His voice was
29:55low, as if he
29:57were struggling
29:57to hold
29:58something back.
29:59It reminded me
30:00of the first
30:00year I spent
30:01the holidays
30:01with him in
30:02Houston.
30:04Benjamin was
30:04an illegitimate
30:05son.
30:06He was not
30:07brought into
30:08the family
30:08until after
30:09his mother
30:09passed away.
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 burned
30:18every bridge
30:19with his
30:19family.
30:21He had no
30:22one to spend
30:22the holidays
30:23with.
30:23On 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.
30:34Merry 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
31:04coming 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
31:14go.
31:15Benjamin said
31:16hersily.
31:17The line
31:17went 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
31:26getting more
31:26boring.
31:27My mom
31:27glanced over
31:28at me.
31:28Our neighbor's
31:29daughter is
31:30expecting her
31:30second child
31:31this year.
31:32At
31:32Jenny, when
31:33are you
31:34going to
31:34bring a
31:34boyfriend
31:34home?
31:36When I
31:37did not
31:37push back,
31:38she pulled
31:39out her
31:39phone and
31:40kept going.
31:41Why do
31:42not you
31:42meet up
31:43with this
31:43guy while
31:44you are
31:44still in
31:45town?
31:45This time,
31:46I did
31:47not refuse.
31:49Sure, set
31:50up a time for
31:51us to meet.
31:51I heard
31:52Emerson's voice
31:53in the
31:53background and
31:53realized nothing
31:54had changed.
31:55I was still
31:56the one on
31:56the outside,
31:57looking in.
32:00It was
32:01time to
32:01stop looking,
32:02time to
32:03walk away
32:03for good.
32:07On the
32:08third day
32:08of the
32:09break, I
32:10met the
32:10man my
32:10mother had
32:11arranged for
32:11me.
32:12He was
32:13based in
32:13Houston, came
32:15from a
32:15well-off
32:15family, and
32:17was charming.
32:19I am at
32:20Caden Mansfield.
32:22He held
32:22out his
32:23hand, his
32:24eyes bright
32:24with interest.
32:25We both
32:26had a good
32:27first impression.
32:28Our parents
32:29seemed even
32:29more pleased.
32:32I never
32:33expected
32:34Aunt Benjamin
32:34to suddenly
32:35show up and
32:35crash the
32:36date.
32:39He plopped
32:40down right
32:41next to
32:41me.
32:43Caden
32:43looked over,
32:44confused.
32:45And who
32:46is this?
32:47I am her
32:48boss, Benjamin
32:49stated.
32:50I corrected
32:51him immediately.
32:52Former
32:53boss.
32:54I already
32:55resigned.
32:56Genevieve, I
32:56am not
32:57accepting
32:58your
32:58resignation.
32:59Benjamin
32:59stared at
33:00me intently,
33:01his gaze
33:02firm and
33:03unyielding.
33:04Caden
33:04offered a
33:05polite
33:05smile.
33:07Maybe we
33:08should talk
33:09another time,
33:09when you
33:10are free.
33:11Despite
33:11at Benjamin's
33:12murderous glare,
33:13I exchanged
33:14contact info
33:15with Caden
33:16before he
33:16left.
33:22I know
33:23you are
33:23only doing
33:24this to
33:24make me
33:24jealous.
33:26I will
33:26make
33:27Emi
33:27apologize
33:27to you.
33:28Can you
33:29just forgive
33:29her and
33:30forgive me
33:30too?
33:31I am
33:32done
33:32with
33:32her.
33:33I
33:34thought
33:34I
33:34could
33:34never
33:34let
33:35go
33:35of
33:35her,
33:35but
33:35the
33:35truth
33:36is...
33:37Benjamin
33:37gripped
33:38my shoulders
33:38with both
33:39hands,
33:40his words
33:40tumbling
33:41out in a
33:41desperate
33:41rush.
33:42I cut
33:43him off,
33:44my voice
33:44cold as
33:45ice.
33:47Benjamin,
33:48we were
33:48never anything
33:49more than a
33:50boss and
33:50his employee.
33:52do not
33:53make this
33:53more complicated
33:54than it is.
33:55You are
33:55engaged to
33:56Emerson.
33:58Let us
33:58not drag
33:59this out.
34:00It is
34:01better for
34:01everyone if
34:02we just
34:02move on.
34:03Suddenly,
34:04Benjamin
34:04pulled out a
34:05ring and
34:06dropped to
34:06one knee.
34:07I am
34:08serious about
34:09us,
34:09Jenny.
34:11I was
34:12an idiot.
34:14I did
34:14not know
34:15how to
34:15cherish
34:15what we
34:16had,
34:16but I
34:17see it
34:17now.
34:18Let us
34:19get married.
34:20We can
34:21go to
34:21Bali,
34:22your favorite
34:22place.
34:24I slapped
34:24the ring
34:25out of
34:25his hand.
34:27Benjamin,
34:29you are
34:30being a
34:30nuisance.
34:31I do
34:32not have
34:33any feelings
34:33left for
34:34you.
34:34I am
34:35begging you,
34:36stop haunting
34:37me.
34:38You are
34:39only making
34:39me sick.
34:44After
34:45the holidays,
34:46my relationship
34:47with Caden
34:47naturally fell
34:48into place.
34:49We
34:50eventually
34:51reached the
34:51point of
34:52discussing
34:52marriage.
34:53I had
34:54not seen
34:54Benjamin in
34:55over six
34:56months.
34:57Strangely
34:57enough,
34:58the man I
34:59once thought
35:00I would
35:00spend the
35:00rest of
35:01my life
35:01with now
35:02felt like
35:03a stranger.
35:04I only
35:05heard news
35:05of him
35:05again through
35:06a former
35:06colleague.
35:08Mr.
35:09Kilbreath
35:10called off
35:11the wedding
35:12to Emerson.
35:13Nobody
35:14knows why
35:14he pulled
35:14the plug.
35:15I simply
35:16smiled,
35:17my heart
35:18completely
35:18still.
35:20At the
35:21end of
35:21the year,
35:22Caden
35:22asked if
35:23I would
35:23accompany
35:24him to
35:24a corporate
35:25summit.
35:26I never
35:27expected to
35:27run into
35:28at Benjamin
35:28there.
35:30After a
35:30year apart,
35:31he had
35:32grown much
35:33thinner.
35:34His presence
35:35felt more
35:35settled.
35:36When he saw
35:36me,
35:37he walked
35:37over.
35:45Benjamin
35:46followed my
35:47gaze toward
35:48Caden in
35:49the distance.
35:50His face
35:51darkened.
35:53I thought
35:54you were not
35:55serious about
35:55him.
35:56My smile
35:57remained
35:57unchanged.
35:58I never
35:59play games
36:00with people's
36:00feelings.
36:02Benjamin
36:03finally lost
36:04his composure.
36:05I thought
36:06giving you
36:07a year
36:07would help
36:08you understand.
36:09I was
36:10wrong back
36:10then.
36:12The truth
36:13is I have
36:13always loved
36:14you.
36:14I cut him
36:15off,
36:15lifting my
36:16hand to
36:16show him
36:17the diamond
36:17ring on
36:18my finger.
36:19I am
36:19getting
36:20married.
36:21For a
36:22moment,
36:23at Benjamin
36:23looked like
36:24he was
36:24falling apart.
36:25No way!
36:26He shouted,
36:27You were so
36:28happy when we
36:29were together!
36:30How could
36:31you possibly...
36:32he made
36:32such a scene
36:33that everyone
36:34nearby turned
36:35to stare.
36:37Caden walked
36:37over,
36:38stepping beside
36:38me.
36:40Benjamin
36:40threw a
36:41punch at
36:41his face.
36:42I screamed,
36:44Benjamin,
36:45are you
36:45crazy?
36:46I quickly
36:47stepped in
36:47front of
36:48Caden.
36:49Fortunately,
36:50he was not
36:51seriously injured.
36:53I took
36:53Caden's hand
36:54and turned
36:55to leave.
36:56Benjamin
36:56did not
36:56chase after
36:57us.
36:58The rest
36:59of the summit
36:59went smoothly.
37:02I did not
37:02run into
37:03Benjamin
37:03again.
37:05As we
37:06drove away,
37:07I saw
37:07him in
37:08the rearview
37:08mirror,
37:09slowly bending
37:10over,
37:12clutching
37:12something to
37:13his chest.
37:14I looked
37:15away and
37:16took
37:16Caden's
37:16hand.
37:18It is
37:19finally over.
37:20He squeezed
37:21my hand
37:21back.
37:24Yeah.
37:26It is
37:26all over.
37:27Life is
37:28long,
37:29but Benjamin
37:29was only ever
37:30a passing
37:31figure.
37:32My future
37:33was waiting
37:33for me
37:33in the
37:34days that
37:34lay ahead.
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