Lahat ng Kabanata ng Leaving You Bereft: Kabanata 951 - Kabanata 960

For the next month, Benedict was abroad filming. Every couple of days, he would text Tessa on WhatsApp. Sometimes, he called her when she was about to rest. She was often tired from work, and after a few lazy words, she would fall asleep with her phone in her hand.Listening to her steady breathing through the speaker, Benedict, far away in another country, felt happiness for the first time. It was like a cup of black coffee in autumn, with just a touch of sugar—perfectly balanced.At that moment, Benedict was still holding his phone, a cigarette pinched between his fingers as he took a slow, deliberate drag before exhaling the last curl of smoke.From the distance came Lennox's call. "Mr. Frey, we're ready to roll!"Benedict pressed the phone closer to his ear, listening to Tessa's quiet breathing one last time before ending the call.He walked toward the set. Lennox nudged his arm and asked boldly, "Calling Ms. Hall again?"Benedict gave him a look. "You talk too much."

Tessa's eyes snapped open.Then, she saw Benedict's face looming over hers.It had been a while since she last saw him. His beard had grown thick, covering most of his jaw, but it added a rugged handsomeness. Combined with his broad chest, it radiated pure masculine allure.She stared at Benedict.Benedict's dark eyes narrowed slightly as he looked into hers, then tightened his hold, keeping her securely in his arms. His voice was rough from just waking up. "I knew you were sick, so I took the earliest flight back. I've only slept for half an hour, and you're already awake—are you doing this on purpose, trying to keep me from sleeping?""It's not." Tessa tried to sound stern.But she was still weak from being sick, and being held by him left her no courage at all.Benedict smiled gently, holding her fully against him.He closed his eyes, brushing his chin lightly against her hair. "Stay and sleep with me a little longer."Tessa felt a little uneasy.If he hadn't returned,

Tessa froze. With Sapphire and Rowan still in the house, Tessa felt his open kisses were far too forward.Seeming to read her thoughts, Benedict chuckled. "We slept together early this morning, and my parents know. A kiss is nothing."Tessa covered her face, murmuring, "I don't have your kind of shamelessness."Benedict lightly held her shoulders. Tessa, petite and delicate, felt even smaller trapped in his arms. He looked down at her and asked again, "So, what's for lunch?"Just as she shifted uncomfortably, Rowan's voice came from the dining room. "Stop teasing Tess. There are plenty of dishes today, but sorry, Mr. Frey, it's not your favorite. Today, the family's favorite has changed—this is the price of wanting to marry her."Benedict's gaze never left Tessa, his voice dropping lower. "Fine, then you're my price."Sapphire watched the two of them, feeling a quiet happiness, though a twinge of sadness lingered.If Jareth were still around, the family would feel complete.

Tessa spent the entire afternoon there. As evening approached, Thalia invited her to stay for dinner, but she politely declined and got into Neal's car to head home.The sky was painted a deep blue at dusk, seeming higher than usual. She sat in the back seat, repeatedly checking WhatsApp, reading the messages Benedict had sent before boarding his flight.The messages were short and simple, yet they made her cheeks flush.After a while, she took a thin chain from her pocket—the same one she had worn around her neck before. She had looked at the photo inside countless times, but now, seeing it again, she realized it matched Benedict perfectly.For five years, she had been staring at that photo, keeping it close as if it reminded her of someone she had lost. But in truth, it was Benedict all along.Up front, Neal drove steadily. Suddenly, Tessa's voice came from the back seat. "Take me to Hollowshade Cemetery, and stop at the flower shop along the way. I want to buy some fl

After a moment, Benedict and Tessa reached the underground parking garage.Benedict walked to a black Range Rover SUV, loaded the luggage into the trunk, then opened the passenger door and nodded slightly. "Get in."Tessa nodded softly, holding onto his arm as she slid into the seat.Just as she was about to close the door, a shadow fell over her, followed by a fierce, all-consuming kiss that swept from her eyes and cheeks down to her delicate neck, then returned to her lips—urgent and relentless.Again and again, he kissed her, as if he could never get enough.Tessa had no room to resist, clutching his jacket tightly, her slender body rising and falling with the rhythm of his kiss.Even then, Benedict wasn't satisfied. His hands pressed firmly against her, their bodies flush together, breaths ragged, each one scorching.He didn't ease up until she could no longer resist, still grazing her lips with soft, teasing kisses.His voice hoarse as he asked, "Just a few days apart, and