Chapter 387 I Regret It
Just as she was about to leave, Benjamin pulled her close and deepened the kiss.
Worried he might lose control, he eventually let go, his rough thumb brushing Daphne's wet, red lips. His voice was huskier than before. "That's how a kiss should be, got it?"
Daphne blushed and nodded.
"Go wash up and sleep. I'll make breakfast tomorrow," Benjamin said, not pushing the moment further.
He knew Daphne's routine and didn't want to mess it up. Early to bed, early to rise, right?
Daphne nodded, then added, "You don't need to knock when you come over anymore. Just come in."
"Okay," Benjamin replied.
He used to knock because Lydia was around; it wasn't cool to just barge in with two girls there.
Daphne left his embrace, said goodnight, and headed to the bathroom to wash up and sleep.
After calming down, Benjamin went back to his place. All he could think about was marrying Daphne as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, things were way different for Charles.
After leaving Daphne's neighborhood, he texted Mark, telling him to say he was handling some business nearby if Daphne asked. He didn't want her worrying about him.
Mark kept his cool with Daphne and acted like everything was fine.
It started to drizzle.
Charles leaned against his car, staring at Daphne's building, even though he couldn't see her window.
He didn't want to leave; he wanted to be close to her.
The rain kept falling.
In just ten minutes, Charles was soaked. The cold seeped in, but it was nothing compared to the pain of seeing Daphne with someone else.
The rain poured on him, but he stood there, hoping it would ease the pain in his heart.
Then, a black umbrella appeared over his head. He turned to see Mark standing beside him, holding the umbrella.
Charles's voice was hoarse, drained. "No need."
"You've just recovered and are still weak," Mark said, never having seen Charles like this, like a lost child. "If you get soaked again, you might get a fever."
Charles didn't respond, just looked away.
Mark took the car keys from him and opened the back seat. "Let's go home."
Charles glanced at the building one last time before getting into the car.
Mark closed the door, put away the umbrella, and got into the driver's seat, starting the car to leave.
On the way back, Charles kept staring out the window, thinking about his moments with Daphne.
Mark turned on the heater to warm up the car.
Feeling a bit warmer, Charles asked, "Why are you here?"
"Worried something might happen to you alone," Mark replied honestly, having never seen Charles like this. "So I quietly took a cab and followed you."
"Check all of Benjamin's info and give it to me when you're done," Charles said, leaning back in his seat.
From their interactions during his amnesia, Benjamin seemed like a good guy. But since Daphne was with him, Charles needed to dig deeper to make sure she wouldn't get hurt again.
Mark agreed. Charles had asked him to investigate during his amnesia, but he hadn't taken it seriously then.
This time was different; this was the real Charles.
"After you're done, head back to Ivrea City," Charles said, sounding melancholic. "Dad probably doesn't want to manage the company. You'll act as CEO for now; I'll double your pay."
"What about you?" Mark asked.
"I'll stay in Gedser for a while," Charles admitted. "To see her."
Even if it was from a distance, Charles wanted to stay a bit longer.
Mark knew who "her" was. He wanted to say something but realized nothing he said would help.
When they arrived at the apartment complex, Charles asked Mark to stop the car. He went to a convenience store to buy some things before heading in.
At home, Charles told Mark to go back.
"I'd feel better staying here with you," Mark said frankly. "Your current state is worrying."
Charles hesitated but didn't insist he leave.
Knowing Charles hadn't eaten all day, Mark made some food, but Charles didn't touch it. He had no appetite.
"At least change your clothes," Mark said with concern. "Staying wet can cause a cold."
Though the room was heated, it was still better to change.
Charles remained motionless. After a moment, he took out the cigarettes and lighter he had bought, lit one, and took a puff.
Mark remembered Charles never smoked. The company even had a strict no-smoking policy to avoid secondhand smoke. How had he started smoking now?
Charles choked on the smoke, coughing violently.
Mark sighed, took the cigarette from his hand, extinguished it, and threw it in the trash. "If you don't know how to smoke, don't. It's bad for your health."
Charles said nothing, throwing away the cigarettes and lighter. He still didn't like the taste.
"Want a drink? I'll get one," Mark offered, knowing he was in a bad mood.
"No," Charles replied, eyes dim, heart empty.
Drinking wouldn't help; the deeper the intoxication, the stronger the longing.
He could control himself now not to disturb her new life, but if he got drunk, he might not be able to resist calling her.
Charles looked out at the dark night, his heart filled with complex emotions. "Mark."
Mark walked over.
"I regret it," Charles said, struggling to get the words out. His eyes were red, filled with regret, but it was too late.
"If I had listened to you, would she have stayed?" Charles covered his face, tears streaming through his fingers.
Mark couldn't bear to see it but spoke the truth, "She would have left anyway."
Charles's heart ached intensely, his whole being in pain.
"For Ms. Murphy, once a cheater, always a cheater," Mark said, his heart heavy. "From the moment you asked for a divorce because of Kayla, there's no going back."
The difference was that if he had only asked for a divorce and given compensation without causing further harm, their relationship wouldn't have been so strained.
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