Chapter 298 Compensation
'Later, my mom tricked me, just once, and bam, I ended up with a kid. Both families were all over me to get hitched. No way I was gonna agree to that. I fought back like crazy, even went on hunger strikes and did some self-harm. I couldn't tell you, though. After all these years together, I knew you too well. If you found out, you'd definitely bail on me. I was in such a dark place, even thought about ending it all, but they threatened your safety. I knew they could hurt you, so I caved.
Yeah, I messed up. I couldn't protect you and ended up hurting you big time. But, Mia, you gotta know, hurting you was the last thing I ever wanted. Still, it happened, and it was all on me.
I'm not saying this to make excuses or beg for forgiveness. I just want you to know two things: first, I love you, and that won't ever change; second, live your life and be happy. If you're happy, I'll be at peace. Promise me you'll live your best life.'
Benjamin poured his heart out, his eyes tearing up a few times, but he held it back.
Mia listened with a faint smile, but as he went on, her smile faded, and her expression turned more sorrowful yet relieved.
"I'll live well, Benjamin, and you should too. Some things are out of our control, and some things we can't let go of. Some lives can't be changed, and some people can't be forgotten. That's just life. I believe you'll be a good husband and a good dad. Your baby is about to be born, right? Congrats."
Benjamin didn't say a word, just stared at Mia's belly, his eyes full of pain. Tears finally spilled over, running down his face.
Mia had once carried his child. Probably during those tough days, he probably wished the baby was still on the way.
That way, he could've held onto something, not feeling completely lost facing Mia, himself, or the child that was gone.
I turned away, too sad to look at Mia's face.
That child was the last hope between Benjamin and Mia. With the child gone, their story was done.
But as a mom, the pain of losing her own flesh and blood was something Mia would never forget.
At least Benjamin was just as heartbroken, which meant he loved that child too. Maybe that would give Mia some comfort. If he had known about the child back then, maybe things between him and Mia would've been different.
But there are no "what ifs" in this world.
"My baby was born, a daughter, super cute. She was premature, so she spent over a month in an incubator. She's fine now, just a bit weaker than other babies."
"Yeah, things will get better."
"Mia, my life sucks right now. But you gotta do better, way better than me. You're amazing, you'll find someone perfect for you. You'll get married, have a baby, and a happy family. Mia, your baby will be the cutest and most beautiful in the world. When she's born, post a pic on your feed so I can see her. Just seeing her will make my day.."
Benjamin was a mess, crying like there was no tomorrow.
Mia just stared at some dead grass nearby, her eyes downcast. I stayed close to her, watching Benjamin lose it.
"Mia, just one last time, let me hold you, okay?" Benjamin reached out, his eyes full of hope. Tears blurred his vision, but he stubbornly refused to wipe them away.
Maybe the tears made it easier for him to not see Mia's rejection, giving him the guts to reach out.
"No need, Benjamin. Go back. Your wife and baby are waiting for you. I wish you happiness. And let's never see each other again."
Benjamin left, stumbling like a wounded animal.
He disappeared down the road.
I moved closer to Mia, holding her hand, trying to share some warmth.
But her hand was surprisingly warm. She squeezed my hand and led me forward. "After all these years, it's hard to say I wasn't moved. I truly loved him. I saw him at the wedding. He'd been following us since we left the hotel. I thought I'd feel the same pain as before. But when he spoke, I was surprisingly calm. Just a bit sad, no tears. Jane, at that moment, I knew I didn't love him anymore."
Around ten at night, Isabella hit us up, suggesting we go out for some fun. We declined, saying it was her wedding night, and she should be with her husband.
Our flight back was at 2 PM on October 4th.
Mia and I lay on the bed, chatting about how to spend the next morning, when her phone beeped with a new message.
Mia picked up her phone. After reading the messages, she frowned slightly. She quickly typed a reply, then turned off the phone and tossed it back on the bed.
I asked her what was up and why she was suddenly pissed.
She picked up the phone again and showed me the messages.
They were from Benjamin, and they were simple: [Mia, I can never repay what I owe you. All I have now is money, and it's the only thing I can give you. Please, you must accept it. I know you don't care about money, but it can ensure you live without worries. This is the last bit of love and protection I can give you. Don't turn me down.]
I looked at the amount—fifty million dollars. Benjamin was loaded and generous.
This money could indeed ensure Mia lived without worries, but at this point, trying to buy peace of mind with money was pretty ironic.
"I sent it back. Money's great, but I want to earn it myself. Trying to buy peace of mind and make up for what he owes me with cash? No way. He'll owe me for a lifetime, but I stopped caring about that a long time ago and I'm never taking his money."
Mia said this with a bit of anger.
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