Semua Bab Opening My Eyes to Reality: Bab 551 - Bab 560

Cheryl's usually calm eyes flashed with disbelief as she stared at Benjamin, stunned. It took several seconds for her to push down the dull ache in her chest."There's no need to trouble yourself, Mr. Zimmerman," she answered coolly.She tried to wrench her wrist from his grasp, but it didn't budge. Her irritation flared, and the anger in her eyes was no longer concealed."Mr. Zimmerman, even if we're friends, there should still be boundaries. Besides, I'm not even sure you constitute a friend."Benjamin's expression darkened. "So?""So, please have some sense of propriety. My affairs are none of your concern."He let out a cold scoff, clearly not intending to back down. "You're in such a rush to get married?"Cheryl had been by Benjamin's side since the day she graduated. Now, at the age of 32, she had never once been in a relationship. She had thrown herself into her work, or more specifically, into this man standing in front of her.But she couldn't afford to waste any more

Leaning on the hallway windowsill, Natalie took a deep breath. "Ben, say someone pissed you off. What would that someone have to do for you to forgive them?""You pissed Rowan off?""Is it that obvious?"Benjamin crushed out his cigarette in the ashtray. "There's only one man you'd put so much effort into appeasing. How hard is that to guess?"Natalie was speechless.Sensing her silence, Benjamin dropped the teasing. "Look, it's incredibly easy to appease a man, especially one who loves you. Take it this way—there's nothing a good roll in the hay can't fix. If once isn't enough, go again until he's completely won over.Natalie's cheeks flushed red. "Can you suggest something a normal person would actually do?"Benjamin raised an eyebrow. "What's not normal about that? Natalie, men are led by two heads—one on their shoulders and the other between their legs. If you want both those heads to be thinking only about you, what better way than to jump into bed with him? "Trust me—get

Rowan was lying on the bed, shirtless. He had likely showered and was preparing to sleep. Natalie hadn't slept a wink these past few days, and neither had he.The words she had planned to say were swallowed back. She'd let him get a good rest tonight, and whatever needed to be said could wait until tomorrow.She carried the ginger lemon tea to him and said softly, "You got wet in the rain. Drink this ginger lemon tea first, or you'll catch a cold."Rowan's eyes turned to her, but he didn't take the cup, not even after a few beats. Her hand started to ache from holding it. Suddenly, he said, "Don't you have anything to say to me?"Their gazes locked, and in that instant, the air itself seemed to shift. After a few seconds, Natalie placed the cup down, and her gaze happened to meet his taut jawline."I'm sorry."Rowan tilted his head up slightly to look at her, the red veins in his eyes spreading out like a spiderweb. "When you decided to leave me, did you ever think about how I'

Rowan wasn't about to tell Rowley, "Your mother was going to marry someone else, and she didn't want me or you kids anymore."Even though it was the truth, Rowan still wanted to protect Natalie's image in the children's minds. He didn't elaborate, only saying, "We had some differences in principles."Rowley nodded. It seemed like Rowan wasn't going to say anything more, so there was no need to probe. But given Rowan's personality, if it were just a minor disagreement, and even if it were Natalie's fault, Rowan would still be the first to find fault in himself and then hurry off to apologize.But from their interaction earlier, Natalie clearly felt guilty, and Rowan, with his stern expression, had no intention of easing the tension. That was enough to prove that Natalie had crossed a line.After giving it some thought, Rowley added, "Daddy, never forget that Mommy gave you two adorable kids, and that was while she believed that you had died, too. That's not something just anyone can

"Mr. Zimmerman told me that your mother was in the hospital. I happened to be passing by today, so I thought I'd stop by to visit," Jasmine said.Natalie wasn't sure what Jasmine's goal was, but it would be rude to turn away someone who was being nice. Besides, she had to be nice to her on Benjamin's behalf, too.Stepping aside, she said, "Come in."Jasmine strode into the room in her stiletto heels, the hem of her dress brushing lightly against the doorframe, bringing with it a whiff of gardenia-scented perfume that clashed with the room's antiseptic smell.She set the fruit basket on the bedside table and turned her gaze back to Natalie."Is your mother's condition under control now?"Natalie gave a simple "Mm" in response, waiting for Jasmine to reveal the true purpose of her visit.Jasmine smiled warmly. She brushed a loose strand of hair from her temple, her nails painted a soft latte color. "Natalie, since your mother's asleep, how about we step outside for a chat?"Natal