Semua Bab Opening My Eyes to Reality: Bab 741 - Bab 750

Ignoring Benjamin's words, Cheryl opened the door. A gust of night breeze rushed into the car and whipped the loose strands of hair around her shoulders.She didn't look back. Her spine was kept straight like a bowstring drawn to its breaking point as she marched forward, every step she took on the flagstone path carrying a quiet, desperate resolve.The sharp click of her heels against the path sounded clear and crisp in the heavy silence of the night, like a quiet, defiant retort to the burning gaze she could feel on her back.In the car, Benjamin slowly raised a hand to his flushed cheek. As his fingertips gently traced the warmth left by her slap, the smirk on his lips didn't fade. If anything, it deepened with an ambiguous amusement.He kept his eyes on Cheryl as she walked away until the darkness completely devoured her slim silhouette. Only then did he withdraw his gaze.For a long time, a storm of conflicting emotions churned in his gaze. There was an unshakable determinati

The next day, Lucille went to the law firm as usual. Since Cheryl had left the apartment early, she'd helped herself to an outfit from the latter's closet.That morning, when Lucille brought in Benjamin's coffee, he recognized the outfit at a glance.When his gaze lingered on her for a few seconds longer than usual, she smiled coyly and asked, "How's the coffee today, Mr. Zimmerman?"No one's coffee ever measured up to Cheryl's, but instead of answering, Benjamin posed a question of his own, "Are you wearing Cheryl's clothes?"Lucille faltered. Cheryl had a vast selection of clothes, yet he'd identified this specific set as hers in a single glance.A wave of bitter resentment washed over Lucille. "Yes. She said I should dress more professionally for work and gave it to me."Benjamin gave a noncommittal hum, simply shifted his gaze away, and took a sip of coffee. "It doesn't suit you. Change it."How did it not suit her?Lucille looked down at the cream, tailored skirt suit, who

It was nearly the end of the workday and the busiest hour of the day, when people streamed in and out of the office. If Nadine wanted to make a scene, she sure knew how to pick her moment.Cheryl's grip tightened around her phone as she frowned tightly. After a pause, she kept her voice low and said, "Have the guards keep an eye on her. I'm coming down."With that, she grabbed the jacket from her chair and headed for the elevator in quick steps.In the elevator's mirrored walls, she noticed the pale reflection and exhaustion in her eyes she couldn't hide. One Lucille was enough trouble, and now, Nadine was here to add to the mess.To her, it felt like everything was piling up at once and suffocating her.Soon, the elevators arrived on the first floor. The moment she stepped out, sharp, grating yelling shattered the lobby's calm.Nadine stood near the reception counter with her hands on her hips and a stuffed travel bag at her feet. Right now, she was crying and ranting to the wat

Nadine's face instantly twisted with rage as she reached out to shove Cheryl hard. "I raised you all these years, and now you're too good to even cook one meal. Let me tell you—if you don't cook dinner tonight, don't even think about leaving the house."Under the push, Cheryl stumbled a large step backward. "As I said, move."Still, Nadine remained brazenly blocking the door. "As I said, cook before you leave, or you can forget about leaving."She refused to believe that she couldn't control an ingrate like Cheryl.Cheryl drew in a deep breath. She would've fought back if Nadine hadn't given birth to her.Just then, the sound of a key turning in the lock came from the door. Lucille was back.When she pushed the door and witnessed the highly tense sight in the entryway, she arrogantly asked, "What are you doing, Cheryl? Are you even human for bullying Mom?"Nadine seemed to have finally found her reinforcements. With the two now united against Cheryl, Nadine's aggression doubled.

For a moment, the air seemed to freeze. Only the evening breeze rustled through the leaves.Just as Cheryl was distraught, a warm hand gently settled on the top of her head. The touch was impossibly soft, as if holding a precious treasure.She jerked her head up to meet Elias' deep eyes. They held none of the shock or disappointment she'd braced herself for. Instead, they were filled with distress and resolute certainty.He leaned down so they were at eye level. His voice was still warm but now carried an undeniable seriousness as he asked, "Cheryl, what makes you think I'm such a vain man?"She frowned and replied, "It's not about you being vain, but a family structure like mine brings trouble, and it'll only lead to more trouble."She wasn't from a prestigious family or a high-achieving graduate from some foreign university. When Elias had chosen her, she knew it wasn't for her background or status, but that didn't mean he'd want a partner with a family that dragged chaos behind