She tilted her head back, ready to pour the powder into her mouth.
A searing pain tore through her heart, deep within her being.
A voice from her soul whispered, “Don’t, don’t, don’t stop loving him… Don’t stop loving him…”
“Don’t stop loving him?”
“Don’t stop loving him?”
“Benjamin!” Janie cried out, tears streaming down her face as she hurled the Worryfree in her hand against the wall.
“I can’t do it, I can’t stop loving you! Let me go to hell, I would rather go to hell than not love you!”
“Sob…”
Janie collapsed onto the edge of the bed, wailing with heart-wrenching sorrow.
After a long while, she lifted her head, her long hair sticking to her tear-stained face, her eyes swollen like peaches.
Yet, her conviction within grew stronger.
If she was consumed by Benjamin, then let him devour her. She accepted it.
Who made her love him so deeply?
Since she couldn’t extricate herself, she would surrender.
Was there any shame in surrendering for love?
At least in this lifetime, she had fought hard, regardless of the outcome!
With reddened eyes, Janie took out her phone and dialed Benjamin’s number.
At that moment, Benjamin was in his study, poring over several overseas documents on his computer.
Since his return from Falmouth, he hadn’t said a word and immersed himself in his work.
Perhaps love and emotions were not meant for him.
So, he didn’t waste his energy on such matters. Work, work, and more work.
That was what he should be doing.
As his phone rang on the desk, he furrowed his brows and picked it up.
At first glance, he thought he must be mistaken…it was Janie’s number?
She was calling him?
In the moment of hesitation, the ringing ceased.
The phone screen remained lit, engulfed in silence.
Benjamin fell into a momentary silence before redialing.
However, his number was still blocked on Janie’s phone.
She hadn’t unblocked him, so he couldn’t make the call.
Placing the phone back on the table, Benjamin continued his work.
But his heart couldn’t find peace.
He worried that something might be wrong with Janie.
Regardless of the perspective, he didn’t want anything bad to happen to her.
If something happened, even Emmeline alone wouldn’t be able to contain his wrath.
Benjamin stood up and made his way to the bedroom, retrieving another phone with a new SIM card from his suit pocket. He dialed Janie’s number.
After what felt like an eternity, someone finally picked up on the other end.
Benjamin heard Janie’s voice, soft and filled with unease, “Mr. Benjamin?”
“Just now…” Benjamin’s voice was low, cool, and detached, “Did something happen?”
Janie on her end bit her lip and said, “I accidentally pressed the call button.”
There was a two-second pause from Benjamin before he responded, “Good that there’s no problem, then I’ll hang up.”
“Beep…”
Janie heard the busy tone as Benjamin ended the call.
But despite that, a faint blush appeared on her face upon hearing his voice.
Her heart seemed to skip a beat, pounding with newfound vigor.
He said it was good that there was no problem?
And he called her on his own, expressing concern for her.
Was Benjamin’s heart not entirely made of ice?
Just like a moment ago, she could discern a trace of tenderness in his demeanor.
The next day, Benjamin finished his breakfast and headed to Adelmar early in the morning.
As noon approached, an intercom call came through the secretary’s desk. “Mr. Benjamin, Yvonne from Glenbrook is here with lunch.”
“Hmm,” Benjamin replied, “Let her in.”
Yvonne would occasionally bring lunch for Benjamin, especially when she noticed he was in a bad mood or had lost his appetite. She always managed to prepare delicious meals that allowed him to enjoy a good feast.
The door opened, and Yvonne walked in, speaking softly, “Mr. Benjamin, lunch is here.”
“Hmm,” Benjamin looked up at her, his expression gentle, “Thank you, Yvonne.”
“Then I’ll go back,” Yvonne said.
“Good,” Benjamin nodded.
After Yvonne left, Benjamin began to feel the sensation of hunger. He got up, washed his hands in the bathroom, and opened the insulated container.
Inside were four food containers stacked neatly: a portion of rice, seafood soup, broccoli chicken stir-fry, and braised jumbo prawns.
Benjamin furrowed his brow for a moment.
He picked up the utensils and started to scoop some of the broccoli chicken. After savoring a few bites, he swallowed and felt the tension in his brow and around his eyes dissipate.
Then he picked up his phone and dialed Yvonne’s number.
Yvonne was in the car with the driver heading back to Glenbrook when her phone rang.
Anticipating the call, Yvonne smiled and answered, “Mr. Benjamin, did you enjoy your lunch?”
