5

After Benjamin left, Hazel had a wry smile on her face. She hit the ground. She thought he would want her to have his child, but he didn't. Because of how Benjamin is, Hazel was scared that if he found out she was pregnant, he would think she was having an affair to make it look like she was pregnant. In that case, Hazel and the future child would both be in danger. To protect the growing child inside her, Hazel had to carefully think about her choices. Hazel didn't show up to work at the office for a few days after that. It was clear that that made Yvonne happy. She thought her plan to put Hazel in jail had worked. Benjamin did nothing to Yvonne, despite his fears that she was the real criminal. Conversely, Hazel was the one who lost her job. Benjamin only did not expect Hazel being so submissive this time. He had frequently told Hazel that she was fired in the past, but she would always show up for work the next day as if nothing had happened. Benjamin couldn't help but ponder Hazel's present actions. Mr. York asked, "Mr. Lucas?" after being shocked to see Benjamin in a dream. Benjamin was, after all, always a very serious worker. Benjamin went back to his plan, "Yeah?" He asked, "Where were we?" throwing a glance at Mr. York. "I've finished my report, would you like me to repeat it?" Benjamin nodded, saying, "Yeah." Benjamin lifted his glass to sip water, feeling thirsty. However, when he picked it up, he found it was empty. Not a single drop of water was present in it. Benjamin frowned, a flash of rage in his eyes. "Where is my assistant? Doesn't she know that I'm out of water?" asked the man. "Miss Stewart has not been to work for a week. She used to be the one handling all these matters," answered Mr. York. "Miss Taylor has taken over all her tasks. I think she is currently having a tea-break on the third story." If Benjamin didn't like anything Hazel did back when she was around, he would have someone else fix it. Therefore, nothing ought to have changed as a result of her leaving the company. But with Yvonne taking over Hazel's role, Benjamin had no one else to order to continue these chores. That brought them to where they are now. Benjamin patted his face but kept his mouth shut. "Go on with your report," he told Mr. York. Benjamin got up and poured himself a glass of water as he heard Mr. York's lively report. As soon as Mr. York finished his story, he ought to have left. However, Mr. York turned and said, "Mr. Lucas, I know that I shouldn't meddle in your personal matters. However, Miss Taylor has now taken over the role of your personal helper. On a personal level, I know you want to keep her by your side. On a business level, she is not a qualified helper." This was after he had taken two steps toward the door. Mr. York said his piece, then turned quickly away, not wanting to anger Benjamin. Mr. York knew what was going on between Benjamin and Hazel, and he also understood why Benjamin hated Hazel so deeply. But after a few years of watching, Mr. York could tell that Hazel really loved Benjamin. Benjamin, in his view, was always too mean to Hazel. Even as a junior, he was aware that he shouldn't get involved. That's why he had been silent all along. .... Hazel spent a full week at home. She considered a lot of things at home without having to go to work. Zen paid her a call once and even gave her a small loan. Hazel was aware that her present situation came from her personal choices. Her present self would have been more like Zen if she had not fallen in love with Benjamin. She would have kept on following a job in design, finally met a good partner, got married, and started a family. However, life did not offer second chances. To find a way to protect the future child inside her, her present self had to completely lose her mind. She was aware that agreeing to a breakup with Benjamin would be the best course of action. She was able to heal and give birth to her kid safely in a quiet place after their breakup. She was certain that after their breakup, Benjamin would not try to learn more about her because of how much he hated her. But Hazel was angry. 'I've gone through so much in the last three years, just to keep this marriage alive,' she thought to herself. I never once agreed to a divorce, regardless of Benjamin's treatment of me. How can I split up easily at this time?" Hazel made the choice to call Benjamin and have a nice talk with him, gripping her phone tightly. She feared that Benjamin's attitude toward her would change. After a long while, the call finally went through. Hazel said with a weak voice, "Benjamin, you haven't been home for a week. I made your favorite foods tonight, why don't you come home for dinner?" Benjamin did not reply, as far as she could tell. Rather, she overheard Yvonne's questioning voice on the other end of the phone: "Benjamin, who are you talking to?" Yvonne was by his side as usual. Yvonne was now Benjamin's personal helper, after all. Yvonne joined the company with the aim of being by Benjamin's side constantly. For this reason, Hazel did not find her voice odd. She could not bring herself to pretend to be indifferent, but she also dared not become upset. She said, "You promised me that you would come back at least once a week." Hazel had no plan of bringing up their agreement at first. After all, each time she brought up this subject, Benjamin would become furious. But she was well aware that Benjamin would never be allowed to come home for dinner because of Yvonne. Hazel was therefore limited to doing this. There was no reaction from the other end. All that could be heard was the sign that Benjamin had hung up. After a full hour of waiting, Hazel did not see Benjamin return. The food on the table had become ugly long ago, as she had already warmed it three times. Hazel would not have felt the need to eat as much if everything had been the same as it was in the past. But now things were not the same. She felt her belly. She needed to feed the baby. The doctor informed her that her extended malnourishment was not good for the growth of her unborn child before she was allowed to leave the hospital. She needed to heal herself back to health at home for a large amount of time if she wanted to keep the child. If not, it would be tough for the baby to live for even three months. This is precisely the reason Hazel stopped from going back to work. A noise came from the door as she picked up her chopsticks and had just taken a bite. Hazel put down her chopsticks and got to her feet quickly. Happy, she made her way to the door. Benjamin went inside the room and put on his jammies. He gave Hazel a quick glance before entering the living room. "You're back at last, I didn't think you would," Hazel stated as she followed Benjamin. "I just started eating. Why don't you join me?" she smiled as she pulled out a chair at the dinner table. Benjamin sat down on the chair without a word. Grasping a pair of chopsticks, he nibbled away. After that, he got back up and announced, "I'm done," in a chilly way. He then turned around and started to walk away. Hazel got to her feet as she saw Benjamin turn away harshly. "Benjamin, could we just talk?" she said. The footsteps of Benjamin stopped. His phone rang a moment after that. Benjamin's voice was much softer when he answered the phone, saying, "Okay, I'll make my way there right now. Just wait for me at the restaurant." Benjamin hung up and continued leaving the apartment. His icy voice was the only sound audible. He said, "We have nothing to talk about except for divorce."