“Jamie, you sit here for a bit. I’ll go get the door,” Winnie said, jogging over to answer it.Sure enough, it was Ben, carrying several bags. Winnie quickly took them from him. “It’s enough that you’re back. You didn’t need to bring all this! Come in and sit down. I’ll pour you a drink.”Ben switched into house slippers and walked into the living room. He sat down right next to Jamie, placing his hand on her thigh. Watching Winnie busy herself in the kitchen, he raised his voice intentionally. “You’re pregnant now. You should be resting. Let me take care of these things instead.”“I know my own body. I haven’t had any nausea or anything, so I’m fine. Besides, you’ve been working all day. It wouldn’t feel right for me to let you wait on me,” Winnie replied without stopping.She was grateful for Ben’s support, both because of his busy schedule and because he was willing to help her sister. Any other man would likely have backed off the moment he learned of Jamie’s situation, let a
“I didn’t,” Jamie said, her hands trembling uncontrollably.Ben must think she had taken the money and squandered it, but in truth, not a cent of that ten million ever reached her hands. Even her child’s medical expenses were paid from the money she earned herself, bit by bit.Of course, Ben didn’t believe her. “Enough with the act. I’m not some random guy you can fool with a few words. Don’t forget what I do for a living.”As a lawyer, he had handled all kinds of cases, and he knew how to see through lies. But he didn’t realize that when it came to Jamie, his judgment was clouded by his emotions, and reason took a backseat.“If you don’t believe me, then why even bother asking? No matter what I say, you’re just going to see me as a liar. What’s the point?” Jamie felt herself on the verge of breaking.She hadn’t had an easy life these past few years. Her child was sick, and as his mother, she felt the pain most deeply. Add to that the financial strain, and now the constant pressur
The sight of a diamond only reminded Ben of Jamie, of their love from long ago, and of just how foolish he had been.Winnie was thrilled. “Thank you so much!”Ben didn’t respond, but instead leaned close to Jamie’s ear, his words sharp and meant to sting. “When I went with your sister to pick out her wedding jewelry, she insisted on getting gold with the lowest processing fees and even chose a second-hand diamond ring. I remember wondering why she cared so much about saving money. It turns out it was all to help you.”A second-hand diamond ring.Jamie’s tears flowed even harder. In that moment, she didn’t know what to say. “Winnie, why do you have to be so good… so foolishly selfless?”Ben could feel the tremble in her body. It only drove him to mention Winnie more.“Speaking of, I’ve been meaning to ask, how do you manage to brainwash your sister like that? You’re both sisters, yet your personalities couldn’t be more different. Sometimes she’s so naive, I almost feel guilty abou
“Thank you, Winnie,” Jamie forced a smile.Standing upright, she walked with Winnie up the stairs, though the moment she lifted her leg, a sharp ache shot through her back. Ben had been rough with her earlier, venting his anger without a care for her discomfort.Noticing Jamie’s strained movements, Winnie gently held her arm. “Jamie, is your back acting up again?”“Yes… yeah,” Jamie mumbled evasively.Winnie’s concern deepened. “It’s no wonder, with how hard you’ve worked these past few years, taking on so many jobs. Your back wouldn’t be in this shape if you hadn’t pushed yourself so hard. You used to have no choice, but now you’ve got me and Jack. You don’t have to carry all the weight on your own.”Jamie could only swallow her pain. Winnie believed Jack’s presence would ease her burdens, yet in reality, it only added to her stress.Once they reached the bedroom, Winnie opened the wardrobe and pulled out a set of silk sheets. “Jack prepared these for you himself. He may not be
Ben had said he would come tonight, and he would keep his word.Finally, a knock echoed from outside her door.Jamie hesitated. She had locked the door. Maybe if she stayed in bed and pretended to be asleep, she could avoid this ordeal tonight. She would deal with the consequences of facing him tomorrow.But then her phone buzzed loudly, jarring in the quiet room. The knocking grew louder.She picked up her phone, and there was a message from Ben. “I know you’re not asleep. Either come over here and open the door, or I’ll keep knocking until I wake up Winnie. Let’s have her come in and watch the show.”Her heart sank. Just what kind of person would force her sister to witness something like that? It was beyond cruel.Jamie rushed to the door, tears streaming down her face. “Stop knocking, please.”“What, weren’t you pretending to be asleep just a moment ago?” Ben taunted, taking his time. Standing in the doorway, he reached out and grasped her neck, his tone low and mocking.
“I'm not trying to run. I was just going to close the door,” Jamie quickly explained, panic in her voice.There was no way she could leave now. Ben was already venting his anger on Winnie because of her, and if she walked away, she would be leaving her sister even more vulnerable.“Did I say you could close the door?” Ben’s tone was anything but satisfied.His fingers reached for her collar, and with one sharp tug, he tore it apart. “And I didn’t say you could walk. Remember our old dog? It always crawled around on all fours.”He paused, then let out a mocking chuckle. “But maybe you’ve forgotten all about that. Should I find a video to refresh your memory?”“I haven’t forgotten.” Jamie shook her head, her voice barely a whisper.That dog held so many happy memories for the two of them. She had planned to take it with her the day his mother showed up, forcing her to leave. But she had been stopped.His mother’s words were burned into her memory. “That money may seem like a fortu
Jamie lay in bed alone, tears flowing freely, soaking her pillow. She didn’t know how long she cried, but eventually, exhaustion overtook her, and she fell into a deep sleep.Ben didn’t sleep well that night either. He returned to his study, took a cold shower and sat at his desk. He then opened a drawer, pulling out an old photo of them together. He had never been able to throw it away. In the photo, they were nestled close, eyes filled with love for each other.But now, he despised Jamie, and Jamie clearly hated him too. Logic told him he should stay far away from her, yet he couldn’t bring himself to let go. Even if they were only left to hurt each other, he had accepted it.……The next morning, Winnie woke up to find the other side of the bed empty. She barely glanced at it before getting up, washing up, and heading next door to check on Jamie.She knocked at the door, but there was no response inside. This felt wrong.Though they hadn’t lived together for years, Winnie kne
Jamie shook her head. “I’m just really tired right now.”“Then keep sleeping. I’m relieved to see you’re okay.” Winnie stood up to leave, not wanting to disturb her further.She headed downstairs to make breakfast and set the table, then called Ben over to eat. After all he had done for her, she felt it was only right to show her gratitude by taking care of these small things.Once breakfast was over, Ben left for work, and Winnie sat on the couch, watching TV. Jamie continued sleeping until she woke up naturally. Glancing at the time, she quickly got ready and hurried downstairs. “Winnie, I overslept. I need to get to the hospital now.”“Wait, I already packed breakfast for you. Take it with you to eat on the way. Skipping breakfast will upset your stomach, and you know how sensitive it is.” Winnie dashed into the kitchen and returned with the packed breakfast.“I made two portions. One for you and one for Charlie.”“Thank you,” Jamie said, taking the breakfast but unable to m