Chapter 19
Women, with their bold makeup and seductive smiles, continued to approach him, only to be swiftly repelled by his icy,
unreadable gaze.
He couldn’t wrap his mind around it.
He and Odette had once shared a love so
deep, so undeniable, so how had everything crumbled to this?
After drinking himself into oblivion throughout the night, Benedict‘ s good friend, Jefferson, finally arrived.
“Why are you doing this to yourself? What happened between you and your wife?”
Chapter 19
Jefferson asked, his frown deepening.
Benedict, barely able to keep his thoughts straight, stumbled through the events of the past few days, his words coming out in jumbled fragments.
Jefferson listened patiently, but when Benedict finally stopped speaking, he
couldn’t hold back.
With one swift motion, he landed a punch across Benedict‘ s face.
“You deserve that! You knew that Odette had no one but you in her world, and yet you filled yours with countless others.”
“Since you got involved with her, why didn’t you love her through and through and take responsibility?”
Chapter 19
“I can see Millicent has completely bewitched you. What’s so special about that woman?”
Jefferson knew how much effort Benedict had put into being with Odette in the beginning. Still, his unfaithfulness had been the cruelest slap in her face.
“I’ve never been attracted to Millicent. Not
at all! I swear!”
“Jefferson… Jefferson, now no one believes me? Not even you?” Benedict‘ s voice cracked as he spoke, utterly chaotic.
Jefferson snorted coldly. “You may not have been attracted, but you cheated. You may not have been attracted, but you gave her the Wellington villa.”
“I just thought it would be thrilling at first… I
1501
Chapter 19
never imagined it would get exposed…”
Regret washed over Benedict. He raised his
hand and slapped himself hard in front of his
childhood friend.
One slap after another, loud and sharp.
In the end, the pain overwhelmed him. Benedict, intoxicated, vomited blood and collapsed.
Unable to stand the sight, Jefferson hurriedly took him to the hospital.
When Benedict awoke, it was already the afternoon of the next day.
He opened his eyes to a sea of white, white pillows, white sheets, and a white ceiling.
Thirst overwhelmed him, his stomach and
Chapter 19
throat scorched with searing pain.
By his bedside were his mother and Jefferson, their faces filled with silent concern.
When Benedict woke up, his mother immediately began to scold him, criticizing him for neglecting his work and drinking himself into the hospital.
Benedict stared at her for a moment, then suddenly murmured, “Odette… I want to eat the fish congee you made…”
His voice cracked as his eyes reddened.
Benedict was strong, seldom falling ill. But once, he’d been struck with a high fever that hit him hard and fast.
Odette had taken time off to care for him,
Chapter 19
staying by his side as he battled the fever.
It was during that time that Odette made him fresh fish fillet, its warm fragrance filling the
air.
The taste of that simple dish brought tears to his eyes–it was comforting, like a taste of
home.
As he watched Odette, exhausted from
worrying over him, he held her hand and
promised, “I‘ 11 treat you well for the rest of my life.”
But in the end, he hadn‘ t kept that promise.
The storms in her life had all been brought on by him.
Jefferson had never seen Benedict so broken,
Chapter 19
so lost. He didn’t know how to console him.
From Jefferson’s perspective on love and marriage, Benedict had only received what he deserved.
After all, misfortune never struck without
reason.
When Benedict‘ s mother heard him, she paused and said with patience, “Fish fillet isn’t hard to make. I’ll have the family chef prepare it for you.”
After an hour of preparation, the fish fillet was finally delivered. Benedict’s mother, eager to care for him, tried to feed him herself.
But Benedict refused to open his mouth.
Chapter 19
This wasn’t the fish fillet that Odette had
made.
It didn’t taste like the comfort he had longed for.
Frustrated, his mother slammed the bowl onto the table, her patience wearing thin.
She scolded him harshly, calling him ungrateful for turning away the food she had made with such care.
