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Benedict turned and made his way to Odette’s office, his heart racing with
urgency.
When he arrived, his breath caught at the sight of her desk, completely wiped clean, devoid of anything that once belonged to her.
In a panic, he grabbed the head nurse and demanded, “Where is Odette?”
“I don’t know. Maybe she’s on leave or gone for training,” the head nurse replied, equally puzzled.
“Why would her desk be so bare if she’s on
leave?” Benedict‘ s voice was thick with
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anxiety.
His eyes
then landed on the nameplate, which no longer read Odette‘ s name. Still, they were now replaced with that of another doctor.
“I heard that tomorrow, a new director will be taking over her position…” The head of the dental department recalled something from today’s meeting.
“Who? Who’s replacing her? And what about the plagiarism incident earlier? Odette couldn’t have plagiarized! I watched her write every word of that paper!” Benedict‘ s voice was deep and firm.
The hospital director walked over and nodded. “We‘ ve already set up an
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investigation team to look into the plagiarism.
Don’t worry, Mr. Evander; the truth will
come to light soon. Deputy Director Leopold has already been suspended for questioning.”
“Then… where is Odette?” Benedict pressed, his concern growing.
“Mr. Evander, maybe you should go home. Perhaps Odette left you a message or a note.”
The director’s careful words only deepened Benedict‘ s unease. Without sparing
Millicent a glance, he turned and left.
It was rush hour, and despite driving a luxury car, Benedict found himself stuck in the
relentless flow of traffic.
Impatient, Benedict honked the horn, his gaze drifting up to the buildings ahead. The
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sight nearly knocked the breath from his lungs.
As night settled in, the city began to flicker to life, its skyscrapers bathed in a sea of colorful lights.
But unlike the surprise confession he had once planned for Odette, what she had prepared for him was a “gift” he could never
accept.
The words on the glowing lights were familiar, but when they came together, Benedict was left stunned.
Across the illuminated skyline, the bold letters flashed brightly. “Benedict, I don‘ t love you anymore.”
The impact of those words hit him like a
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punch, so much so that he accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, narrowly avoiding a crash.
His breath caught in his throat as he staggered out of the car, desperate to see the message more clearly.
But once outside, the glaring lights seemed to burn into his very soul.
Other drivers, stuck in the same traffic jam, noticed the words and couldn’t resist
making jokes about how even the president of Evander Group had been rejected.
Benedict‘ s heart sank as though it had been dropped into the deepest pit.
Still, he fought to keep his composure.
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Maybe this was just Odette being upset with
him for neglecting her recently–perhaps it was all a prank.
Odette couldn’t possibly stop loving him, he told himself.
With that thought, a flash of hope crossed his mind. They could track each other‘ s locations!
Without wasting another second, he pulled up the app and checked. To his relief,
Odette‘ s location showed she was at home.
A breath he hadn’t realized he was holding escaped his lungs.
It was his birthday today, after all.
Odette was most likely at home, busy
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preparing dinner, a cake, and all the surprises
she had planned for him…
The traffic was unbearable, and time was
slipping away.
He couldn’t wait any longer.
With a sense of urgency, Benedict called his assistant to come take over the driving duties. But as the minutes stretched on, he couldn’t stand the thought of waiting any longer. In frustration, he threw open the car door and ran, his suit and leather shoes clicking on the
pavement.
As he neared home, a sudden memory halted him: the begonia tree in the yard.
The image of Odette‘ s face surfaced in his mind, her words still echoing in his ears: “If
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they die, they die.” Her expression had been
filled with a hopelessness that gripped his heart.
He pushed the thought away, refusing to dwell on it.
Rushing into the foyer, he shouted with desperation, “Odette, Odette! I’m home!”
