“Doesn’t matter. I fell for her, and that’s the truth.” Benjamin sighed. “I’m fine with just watching her from afar. I’m fine if I can just protect her like this.”

“Will you give me a shot, then?” She was already sobbing.

“I’d take responsibility, that’s what I said,” said Benjamin. “We can get married anytime you want.”

“A loveless marriage means nothing.” Janie looked at him with tearful eyes. “No woman can accept her husband loving someone besides her.”

“Janie,” Benjamin said, “I know what you mean. I know. But I’ve fallen for her. It’s been years. I can’t just let it go. I can’t just fall out of love with her. This love might be unrequited, but I’ll take it. You can’t expect me to take Worryfree.”

“What?” Janie paused for a moment. “But only Waylon has that.”

“I have it too,” said Benjamin. “But I won’t take it. I’d rather suffer the pain of this love.”

“Why do you have that?” Janie asked. “Did he give you that?”

“I found it in Emma’s suitcase,” said Benjamin. “It was back when she pranked Abel. Waylon probably thought she couldn’t take Abel’s indifference, so he snuck a dose of Worryfree into her stuff. Good thing she didn’t use it, so I kept it.”

“You’d rather chain yourself to this love than break the shackles?”

“Yes.” Benjamin nodded.

“Very well.” Janie said, “I’m fine now, thank you. You should go back.”

“Why’d you want to meet up with me, then?” asked Benjamin. “Couldn’t be because of the Worryfree, Could it?”

“No,” said Janie. “I said I was going for a trip.”

“Very well. It’s good for you.” Benjamin got up. “I’ll be going back now. There’s a meeting to hold.”

“Sure.” Janie stared down and nodded bitterly. Once Benjamin was gone, she let her tears flow, and her heart was shattered.

Three days ago, a worried Evelyn found herself in Avalan’s living room. “What now?” She was tearing up. “I went through all the hospitals, but they couldn’t help me. Is this how I have to live my life now?”

“Hey, Mr. Ywain gave you a tip.” Alana sneered. “Ask Emmeline to help you out.”

Alana hated Emmeline too, but she gleaned some satisfaction from seeing Evelyn suffer. She was jealous. Jealous that Evelyn tried to hook up with Adam.

“But I don’t want to.” Evelyn pouted. “It could be a coincidence. She probably didn’t do anything to me. If I ask for her help, she’s going to laugh at me.”

“You want to let your ego get in the way of your future, suit yourself,” said Alana. “No one can save you. I have other things to do, so I’m not taking care of you either.”

“No,” said Evelyn. “Adam told you to take care of me. You can’t just leave me.”

Alana snickered. “I’m a Lane, you know. Why should I take care of you?”

“Because Adam’s your master, and I’m his wife. That makes me your mistress.”

“Yeah, right. Get real. You’re just his pawn. The one he loves is Emmeline.”

“I can’t be his pawn. I’m his wife!” Evelyn’s eyes went wide. “You’re jealous, aren’t you?”

Alana splashed a glass of water onto Evelyn’s face.

“Hey, why’d you do that? Adam’s going to punish you for that!”