“Don’t panic. I’ll ask Wendy out, and we can all sit down and talk.”

    “Yes, yes, please–go now.”

    With Benjamin’s desperate request in her ears, Caitlin pushed open the door to the café.

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    Every time the wind chimes on the door rang, Wendy’s shoulders tensed. She couldn’t stop herself from ncing at the entrance, bracing for Benjamin to appear again. But when she saw Caitlin, her face softened.

    “Wee back, Caitlin! You’re home!”

    “Mm.”

    Caitlin walked to the counter, studying her friend. Wendy looked thinner, paler, as if her burdens had eaten away at her strength.

    “Are you busy right now? When you have a break, I’d like to take you out for a walk. I’ve found my mother.”

    She used that as her excuse. Wendy’s eyes lit with relief. “You found Aunt Tang? That’s wonderful. Simon already told me. I was nning to visit you after work.”

    Wendy untied her apron, turning to Vicky. “Can I leave things to you? I may be out for a while.”

    “Of course! Go on. In fact, why don’t you just take the rest of the afternoon off? I’ll call the manager and have the intern cover your shift.”

    “That might be best.”

    Wendy had already submitted her resignation. She only had a handful of days left before she would leave the café behind for good.

    The two women stepped out together. Across the street, Benjamin stood stiff beside his luxury car, his gaze locked on Wendy. She knew he was there but refused to turn her head. Instead, she slid into Caitlin’s car without hesitation.

    Benjamin waited until they drove off, then quietly followed.

    Caitlin brought Wendy to a nearby park. They strolled side by side along the shaded paths.

    “Wendy,” Caitlin began gently, “you don’t have to apany Reba overseas yourself. If you trust me, I’ll arrange the best caregivers to look after her. You could stay here, focus on your career. Remember when you studied bridal design abroad? You could do that here. I even offered you a ce at TIG before–you turned it down, saying you wanted freedom. But then you bounced through jobs, never settling. I don’t know what you’re chasing. If you want it, TIG is still open to you. I can ce you immediately.”

    She had tried to help before. But Wendy always refused, preferring to drift from one short–lived position to the next, her talent untapped.

    b15:40 /bMon, Sep 15

    b23 /b

    255 vouchers.

    Wendy shook her head. “I don’t want to rely on connections. And I’m not sure I’m capable. What if I drag you. down?”

    “You’re my best friend. Why shouldn’t you use the connections you have? Stop thinking of it as a burden. And if working under TIG feels like too much, I’ll help you start your own bridal studio. I’ll invest, you create. Simple as that.”

    “It’s too much trouble. Don’t. You already have enough on your shoulders.”

    “It’s not trouble. But fine, what if wepromise? I’ll create a bridal design line within TIG. You’ll lead it as head designer. How about that?”

    But even her best intentions couldn’t sway Wendy. Her decision had already been made.

    “Don’t worry about me, Caitlin. I’ve decided. I’m going abroad with my mom. I need to care for her myself. I couldn’t trust anyone else to do it.”

    Her reasoning was sound. A sick mother in a foreignnd, with no one familiar nearby–what daughter would abandon her to strangers?

    Caitlin tried another tack. “And Benjamin? He loves you. You love him. Why not give him a chance?”

    Wendy lowered her gaze, staring at her shadow on the ground. “Sometimes love doesn’t mean you’re right for each other.”

    “I think you are right for each other.”

    “No. We aren’t.”

    “You mean because of his background? Sure, being from the same world makes things easier. But real love breaks barriers. That’s why Cindere and the prince is a story that stillsts. And Benjamin–he’s not the kind of man who cares where you came from.”

    “I know…” Wendy’s voice trailed off. In her mind, another face loomed–Mrs. Jones. Benjamin’s mother. She had promised that woman she would walk away. And a promise was a promise.

    They reached a sprawling banyan tree, the same spot where she and Benjamin had once sat together,ughing, dreaming. Standing there again, the air felt heavy with loss.

    “Stay strong, Wendy,” Caitlin urged. “When Reba recovers, I’ll help you build your career. Be independent. Earn your own strength. Then you’ll find real confidence–the kind thates from inside, not outside. No one will shake you again.”

    “I’ll try.” Tears blurred Wendy’s vision. Caitlin brushed them away with a sigh.

    “But remember this–career can wait. Love can’t. If you let this slip away, you may regret it for the rest of your life. Time changes people. Two years from now, what if Benjamin isn’t still waiting? What if you’ve lost him?b” /b

    “If he finds someone better, I’ll be happy for him.”

    The words were sincere. She wanted him free, not shackled to her.

    “I don’t want your blessing!”

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    The voice rang out from behind them. Wendy froze, her heart jolting. She turned slowly.

    Benjamin stood a short distance away, disheveled, haunted. His eyes never left her as he walked closer.

    Caitlin leaned in to whisper, “Talk to him. Give each other a chance.” Then she left them alone beneath the banyan tree.

    Benjamin stopped in front of Wendy, close enough to see how thin she’d grown. It hurt to look at her.

    “These days you wouldn’t see me. So I didn’t force it. I just sat outside your work, waiting, just to catch a glimpse of you. Wendy, isn’t it enough? Can’t youe back to me now?”

    His eyes shone red with sleepless nights and heartbreak.

    Wendy shook her head, struggling to steady her voice. “Benjamin, can’t you see? We’re finished. I won’t go back to you. Don’t wait for me anymore.”

    “Why? Why, Wendy? Don’t tell me you never loved me!”

    He seized her shoulders, his lips trembling. “Don’t you understand? No matter what happens, no matter what paines, I’ll stay. I’ll protect you. I don’t want to let you go. We were only just beginning. You promised you’d always take care of me, remember? Why are you giving up on me now?”

    ?

    bAD /b