65 vouche

    When a frivolous young heir suddenly falls deeply in love, he will treat the girl in his heart as his one and

    only.

    Benjamin was exactly that kind of man. He loved Wendy, and besides her, no other woman could ever matter.

    Wendy understood his heart, but she couldn’t give him what he wanted. She had no choice but to let go. Maybe if she was cruel enough, he would finally stop hoping.

    “You want an answer? Fine, I’ll tell you. When I said we’re not right for each other, I meant it. The real reason is that I don’t love you. Not only do I not love you, I can’t stand you. I hate your arrogance, your domineering temper, your sharp tongue.

    “Yes, being with you strokes my vanity, makes me feel special for a moment. But that’s not enough. You’re reckless, immature. You don’t even know what I truly need.

    “So I won’t waste any more of my time. I don’t want this kind of explosive, all–consuming love. It doesn’t suit me. Don’t push me anymore!”

    She shouted it with all the force she could summon, her words sounding cold and vicious, while inside her chest her heart was bleeding.

    This was her first true love. And here she was, stabbing it to death with her own hands. Every harsh word she hurled at him was a de sinking into herself.

    Before her tears betrayed her, Wendy turned to flee. But Benjamin caught her, pulling her back against the rough bark of the banyan tree.

    “I don’t believe you,” he whispered hoarsely. “I know you love me. I can feel it. Just love me one more time- prove iit/i.”

    He pressed his mouth against hers, desperate, clumsy, trying only to make her feel how much he needed her.

    “Smack!”

    Wendy shoved him away and struck him hard across the face. Tears brimmed in her eyes.

    “Don’t you dare force me again! Benjamin, I never loved you! I’m leaving soon–stop waiting for me!”

    With those cruel words, she turned and ran, crying.

    Benjamin stood frozen, his cheek stinging, his heart tearing apart. Then he shouted after her retreating figure, his voice breaking, “I’ll wait for you! I’ll wait! Wendy, I’ll never let you go!”

    She heard him. But she didn’t slow down. She ran even faster.

    Benjamin’s knees buckled, and he copsed onto the grassb, /bstaring at the space where she had vanished.

    Nearby, Caitlin had witnessed the entire exchange. She sighed heavily. So many things in life can be mended

    15:41 Monb, /bSep 15

    b23 /b

    55 Vouchers

    -but once love is broken, sometimes it can never be healed. Not even her sharp mind could intervene in this.

    She walked to Benjamin andid a hand on his shoulder. “There’s still time. Don’t lose hope. Wendy and her family have moved into LL Vi. I’ll send you the address.”

    Benjamin snatched his phone, nced at the screen, and surged to his feet with sudden energy. “Got it. I won’t give up. Not now.”

    He sprinted off in the direction Wendy had gone, as though sheer willpower alone could bring her back.

    On her way back from the city, Caitlin received a call from the guards at DanCa Estate. Ximena hade to visit Kelly and was waiting at the gate.

    Caitlin gave her approval, and the guards let her in.

    Years had passed since Ximenast saw Kelly. When they met in the vi, even she felt uncertain.

    “Kelly, it’s been so long.”

    “You are…?” Kelly emerged after hearing a visitor had arrived. She looked nkly at the woman before her.

    “You don’t recognize me?”

    “I’m sorry, I don’t remember.” Kelly’s expression showed no trace of recognition.

    “It’s Ximena,” the other woman exined, astonished. How could Kelly forget her, after all that had happened?

    “Oh, I see. And what brings you here?” Kelly asked politely.

    “I heard you were back. I wanted to see you, to talk.”

    Kelly had no idea what she wanted to talk about, but she weed her guest inside and ordered tea to be served.

    “I’ve wronged you in the past,” Ximena said softly. “I wanted to apologize face–to–face.”

    “There’s no need. The past is past. I’ve forgotten it already.”

    “You may have forgotten, but I remember everything. I made many mistakes. What I regret most was what I did to him.”

    “To who?” Kelly asked.

    “Xavian. You don’t remember him either?b” /b

    Once, both women had been deeply entangled because of Xavian. Ximena thought he was the one man Kelly could never forget.

    Kelly quickly sipped her tea and nodded. “I remember, I remember. How is he?”

    “He’s gone. Caitlin didn’t tell you?”

    “No, she didn’t.”

    b23 /b

    68 vouchers

    Kelly’s face stayed strangely calm, as though the news meant nothing to her. Ximena was baffled. If Kelly truly hadn’t known, how could she react so coldly, after what Xavian had once meant to her?

    The conversation faltered. Ximena sat in silence, uneasy. Kelly seemed like an entirely different woman.

    Atst, Kelly excused herself, saying she felt unwell.

    “Alright. Rest well then. I won’t disturb you further. Maybe we can meet again another time.”

    Ximena forced a smile, said her goodbye, and left.

    As she drove out of the estate, she crossed paths with Caitlin’s car. Caitlin pulled up beside her.

    “Ximena, leaving already? You didn’t see my mother?”

    “I did,” Ximena said with a sigh. “But she didn’t want to talk to me. Maybe she still resents me for what I did before. I came to apologize, and I did. That’s enough.”

    Caitlin’s eyes narrowed. “Tell me honestly–when you spoke with her, did you feel… anything off? Could you still feel the person she used to be?”

    Ximena shook her head. “No. She feels… different. Like a stranger. She barely remembered anything I said, and even when she did, she seemed uninterested. I don’t think she wants to see me again.”

    Stranger.

    Even Ximena felt it. That only deepened Caitlin’s suspicion–something about her mother was truly wrong.

    “Don’t take it too hard,” Caitlin said, forcing a smile. “She’s only juste back. Maybe she needs time to adjust. When she’s stronger, we’ll all gather together again.”

    “Maybe so. But Caitlin–stay close to her. She told me she wasn’t feeling well.”

    “I will. Drive safe.”

    After Ximena left, Caitlin entered the vi and went upstairs. She found her mother in her room.

    “Mom,” she said gently, “I just ran into Ximena outside. She told me you weren’t feeling well. How about we go to the hospital for a checkup? I already made an appointment.”