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Leaving Him Was Her New Beginning
NovelShort
Completed
On the ninety-ninth day of her seemingly perfect marriage to Benedict Evander, Odette Clarendon submitted her application to the hospital director, volunteering for the medical aid project in South Africa. With furrowed brows, the director asked. “Dr. Clarendon, you’ve only just begun a new chapter in your life. Are you certain about leaving for South Africa? What about your husband?” “I’m sure,” she said simply, her expression leaving no room for doubt.
Chapters (7)
第1章
On the ninety-ninth day of her seemingly perfect marriage to Benedict Evander, Odette Clarendon submitted her application to the hospital director, volunteering for the medical aid project in South Africa.
With furrowed brows, the director asked. “Dr. Clarendon, you’ve only just begun a new chapter in your life. Are you certain about leaving for South Africa? What about your husband?”
“I’m sure,” she said simply, her expression leaving no room for doubt.
The director exhaled heavily, his pen lingering over the paper before he finally signed and stamped the application. “The project in South Africa spans three years and departs in ten days. The hospital will arrange your flight. I hope this is a decision you won't regret, Dr. Clarendon.”
Odette’s gaze drifted to the window, her thoughts inexplicably drawn to the crabapple flowers Benedict had so lovingly planted for her in their courtyard. A wistful smile teased her lips before she shook her head firmly. “I won’t regret it.”
That same evening, Benedict orchestrated a spectacle for the ages. He rented every prominent high-rise in the city, their towering facades aglow with illuminated words that proclaimed his love and celebrated Odette’s birthday.
Fireworks painted the night sky in brilliant hues, their dazzling display a testament to his devotion.
Benedict wanted the world to know that his love for Odette was boundless, shining as brightly as the city lights.
….
As Odette exited the hospital, the downpour intensified, the rain drumming against the pavement like a restless symphony. Waiting just beyond the hospital doors, Benedict was a steady presence amidst the chaos, umbrella in hand.
“Are you hungry?” he asked warmly. “I’ve booked a table at your favorite French spot. I’m sorry about missing our ninety-nine-day anniversary yesterday; a last-minute business trip got in the way. But… did you like the surprise?”
Guiding her to the car, he opened the door with practiced ease, his hand instinctively protecting her from the rain as she slid into the back seat.
From the back seat of the car, Odette glanced up, and her breath caught. The illuminated skyline gleamed with radiant words, each glowing letter a testament to Benedict’s love.
“Odette, happy ninety-nine days of marriage.”
“Benedict will always love Odette.”
“Odette, we’ll grow old together and stay joyfully united for a lifetime.”
The entire day before, Odette found herself at the center of envious admiration.
Over breakfast, a nurse approached her with a playful grin. “Dr. Clarendon, I’m so jealous of you. Not only are you stunning, but you’ve managed to tame someone like Benedict into the ideal partner!”
Another chimed in with equal fervor. “Exactly! Isn’t Benedict your first love? A man like him, rich, handsome, and hopelessly romantic, feels like a fairytale come to life!”
“Dr. Clarendon, spill your secrets! How do you manage to win over such a younger ‘wolf pup’ like him?”
“And to think,” added a fourth with a dreamy sigh, “Benedict used to be the ultimate untouchable ‘male god,’ surrounded by admirers yet indifferent to them all...”
Even in broad daylight, the glow of the high-rise buildings’ lights persisted, standing as silent beacons of Benedict’s affection. The one towering over the hospital was none other than the pride of the Evander Group.
Benedict had once explained with a casual charm that he wanted to be able to glance out during meetings and see the place where Odette worked.
At the time, Odette had smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. “It must be fate,” she had replied softly, her voice brimming with quiet joy.
The age difference between them was a constant reminder of their unconventional love. Odette was six years older than Benedict. When he had been a high school senior, she was already immersed in the rigors of her second year in graduate school.
Their worlds would have remained apart if not for the earthquake, a disaster so sudden and merciless that it had reshaped the course of their lives.
As Odette gazed absently through the hospital window, her thoughts drifted back to that fateful day, the tremors of the past rippling through her mind like faint aftershocks.
That year, before even earning her degree, Odette had made a life-altering decision. With unwavering resolve, she submitted her application to volunteer, joining her mentor in the heart of the disaster zone. There, she fought tirelessly on the front lines, pulling countless lives back from the brink of death.
Benedict was among those she saved; a young man brought in battered and barely clinging to life. It was fate, perhaps, that her expertise lay in ophthalmology.
When he was wheeled in, his eyes gravely injured, the odds of restoring his vision seemed almost impossible.
Even as blood streamed from his eyes, Benedict held tightly onto Odette’s hand. His voice, steady and calm despite his pain, carried an unshakable resolve. “Save the children first,” he urged.
For a moment, Odette froze, stunned by the strength emanating from someone so gravely injured. Her gaze lingered on the young master, and for the first time, respect bloomed in her heart, unbidden and undeniable.
第2章
The higher-ups had made it clear Benedict must be treated first, and his status as the sole heir to the Evander family fortune made him a priority. But Benedict, ever the man of integrity, sacrificed his golden opportunity for treatment, insisting on saving a child he didn’t even know.
At that moment, Odette directed her colleagues to tend to the child. At the same time, she took on the daunting task of performing surgery on Benedict herself. That operation, on the brink of life and death, was the thread that wove their fates together.
From that day forward, Benedict never let go of Odette. But just yesterday, on a day when women across the city envied her life, she found herself rear-ended on her way home. The woman who hit her flashed a bright smile and casually suggested that she check the dashcam footage.
As soon as Odette pressed play, the voice that filled the car was unmistakably Benedict’s.
“Baby, you’re so hot.”
“How do you manage to be so irresistible? Hmm? Tell me, where did you get that doctor’s coat?”
His voice, rough and full of desire, sent a wave of heat through her. But instead of warmth, Odette felt as if she’d been thrust into a freezing, endless void.
Benedict pulled her into his arms, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “Odette, I missed you.”
Her body stiffened in his embrace, and her eyes involuntarily shifted to the back seat, where something wedged awkwardly between the seats caught her eye, a discarded condom still open.
Benedict’s eyes flickered to the discarded condom. Without a hint of emotion, he reached down, picked it up, and turned to the driver, his voice cold and steady.
“Didn’t I make it clear? When lending the car, you’re supposed to tell people not to mess around in it. Odette and I, ” he paused, his gaze briefly lingering on her, “we’re both clean freaks.”
The driver’s face drained of color, a nervous sweat breaking out on his forehead. He stammered, “Y-yes, Mr. Evander.”
Odette couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. “‘Odette and I are both clean freaks.’”
He knew full well about her cleanliness obsession, yet he had indulged in some cheap thrill with another woman in this very car.
Was this what he called deep love?
Odette’s eyes burned into Benedict, wondering when his so-called devotion had begun to feel like nothing more than a carefully crafted lie.
But Odette couldn’t quite place it.
Despite Benedict always being close by, something felt off.
Outside, the rain began to fall once more, tapping softly against the windows. Benedict leaned in, his lips pressing against hers with fiery passion.
Yet, she remained unmoved.
Every time Benedict came near, the memory of the voice on the dashcam resurfaced, sharp, grating, and revolting.
Unable to stop herself, Odette let out a dry heave, her body recoiling.
Benedict frowned, his displeasure evident, but his concern for her well-being surfaced quickly. He reached out with a teasing touch, his fingers brushing her stomach as he joked, “Could it be that there’s already a little prince or princess growing in here?”
Odette’s mind turned cold as she thought to herself: No matter how many times Benedict joked about it, there would never be a prince or princess.
Because of Benedict, Odette had already lost her womb, a painful reminder of the cost of loving him.
The moment Benedict chose to betray her, he became nothing but filth in her eyes.
When she had agreed to date him, Odette had made one thing clear: she would never stay with a man tainted by another.
Benedict had promised, time and again that having her was enough, that he didn’t want children or anything else. His words had been so convincing, so full of love.
But now, she couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal.
Just yesterday, while performing surgeries, she had still been wrapped in the warmth of a love she thought was unbreakable.
At twelve, Odette had lost her parents, two noble doctors with Doctors Without Borders, who had died in a far-off land.
Having lost them so young, Odette had poured all her heart and soul into her medical career, believing it would be enough to fill the void.
She had once thought she would never fall in love with any man, that marriage would be a distant dream, not meant for her.
Instead, Odette had planned to travel to every corner of the world where she was needed, pouring herself into her work as a compassionate and skilled doctor.
But that surgery on Benedict had changed everything.
After the earlier tension, silence settled between them.
In that heavy stillness, Odette couldn't help but remember the surgery that had forever altered the course of her life.
第3章
Before entering the operating room, Odette looked at Benedict and said, “Your condition is critical. If we can't save your eyes, you'll be permanently blind. You can wait for a more experienced doctor if you'd prefer...”
Benedict cut her off, his voice unwavering. “You perform the surgery. Whatever the outcome, I'll accept it.”
Without hesitation, Odette skipped the formalities and started the operation immediately.
A moment of crisis came during the surgery, but Odette met it with calm precision.
As Odette stumbled out of the operating room, her body barely holding up from exhaustion, Benedict’s mother slapped her across the face, the sound echoing through the room.
“How dare you, with your status, perform surgery on my son without permission?” she demanded, her voice seething with fury.
Odette didn’t explain, not a single word. With calm determination, she pushed her aside. She walked straight back into the chaos of saving lives, where every second mattered.
The surgery was a success.
When Benedict woke up and discovered his mother had slapped Odette, guilt weighed heavily on him.
For Odette, Benedict had been her very first surgery patient, and she had taken that responsibility to heart. Whenever she found a moment, she stayed by his side, checking for any discomfort and tending to him with care and precision.
Before the bandages were removed, Benedict had imagined Odette’s appearance countless times, picturing her through nothing but the sound of her voice.
But none of those fleeting images could compare to the instant his sight was restored.
The moment he opened his eyes, he was struck by a love so immediate, so deep, it felt as though he had been waiting a lifetime for it.
Benedict promised Odette the best of everything, swearing to give her his perfect, unwavering love.
During yesterday’s global economic interview, Benedict didn’t hesitate for a moment to publicly declare his love for Odette.
“My wife is a brilliant doctor who saves lives. She pulled me from the darkness and gave me back my sight,” he said, his voice filled with sincerity.
“She is my eyes. Without her, I wouldn’t know what to do.”
The host, with exaggerated enthusiasm, remarked, “Wow, Mr. Evander really is a hopeless romantic, truly a role model for men everywhere!”
The cheerful host winked at Benedict, and he returned the gesture with a loving smile.
But as Odette watched the interview, her heart felt like it was being torn in two.
So it was that obvious, wasn’t it?
Benedict’s phone buzzed, and a message from a woman named Millicent Ravensdale appeared on the screen, saved in his contacts as “Secretary Ravensdale.”
Odette glanced at it casually, never having paid much attention to his secretary’s surname until now. Only then did she realize that he had just one secretary and that secretary was a man who didn’t share that surname.
The message oozed with a flirtatious tone, Millicent lamenting the damage to her car after an accident.
Benedict responded with calm reassurance, even promising her a riverside villa in the newly opened development.
Such generosity.
A villa worth tens of millions is offered as if it were a simple gift.
The same villa complex that Benedict had named Odette Haven, a gesture to win her heart. Everyone knew it had been purchased as a symbol of his affection for her.
And yet, Benedict so casually handed it over to another woman as if it were nothing more than a trinket.
They say a man’s money follows his heart.
Odette felt her heart plummet.
It was easy for her to pull up Millicent’s WhatsApp profile and click through to her Instagram feed.
Sure enough, Millicent’s latest post read: [Had a little fender-bender yesterday. No biggie, just a scare. I’m such a clutz. Can’t even drive without making my big brother worry about me.]
Attached to the caption was a collage of nine pictures, each more meticulously staged than the last.
At the center was one image with the words: [The love from someone who truly loves you is always worth flaunting.]
The location tag beneath it read: No. 1, Odette Haven Riverside Villas, North City Road.
第4章
Millicent, sensing that Odette might miss her post, intentionally tagged her.
Odette responded with a soft, indifferent smile, liking Millicent’s post without a second thought.
The day before, they’d exchanged WhatsApp contacts during the negotiation for the fender-bender compensation, but Odette had used her work account.
Benedict didn’t have her work account saved.
When they arrived at the French restaurant, Millicent sent Odette a message. [Do you believe I can make him come running to me with just one phone call?]
Odette casually remarked, “This car is surprisingly sturdy. I got into a small collision yesterday after work.”
Benedict’s gaze snapped up, concerned about flooding his eyes. “Are you okay? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“It’s nothing. Just a scratch on the car,” Odette reassured him, shaking her head lightly.
"Who dared lay a hand on you? If anything had happened, I wouldn’t let them get away with it!" Benedict said coldly, his voice sharp.
Watching the man who still seemed to care for her as much as ever, Odette felt a cold shiver crawl down her spine.
How could he deceive her so effortlessly, all while tangled up with another woman?
While she spent her time in operating rooms, saving lives, was Benedict out there, indulging in pleasures and distractions elsewhere?
"It's nothing. Can we just go home? The crabapple flowers..."
But before she could finish, Benedict’s phone buzzed. His expression darkened as he took the call. "Alright, I’ll be there right away.”
"Odette, one of the shareholders, pulled out. I need to go back to the company immediately. If you're not hungry anymore, I'll have the driver take you home first, okay?"
His coaxing was filled with anxiety, and Odette gave a weak nod.
After he left, Odette opened the location-tracking app on her phone.
The map showed that Benedict hadn’t gone to the company at all.
He had gone to one of the hotels he often frequented.
“Madam, would you still like to dine at the French restaurant?” the driver asked.
“Yes,” Odette replied, her voice steady as she stepped out of the car and entered the restaurant.
The waiter presented the dishes Benedict had ordered in advance, but the first bite left a bitter taste in her mouth.
She placed her spoon down, the meal suddenly unappetizing, and picked up the phone.
“Hello, may I ask if VIP Suite 888 is occupied tonight?” she asked the hotel’s front desk.
“Of course! That’s Mr. Evander’s exclusive suite. He even sometimes brings his wife here,” the receptionist responded, her tone laced with excitement.
“What does his wife look like?” Odette asked, her voice deceptively calm.
Each question she asked felt like a knife twisting deeper into her heart.
It felt like a slow, relentless death, each word a sharp cut, each moment an agonizing reminder of her helplessness.
Odette had spent her life-saving others, performing surgeries with the precision of a seasoned surgeon. But now, for the first time, she felt like a helpless fish, laid bare and vulnerable, at the mercy of Benedict’s quiet, cutting gaze.
“She must be incredibly beautiful. I’ve heard she’s a doctor, and everyone knows she’s his favorite. But we've never had the pleasure of seeing her face up close,” the receptionist sighed, almost wistfully.
Odette’s mind involuntarily drifted to Millicent, radiant, youthful, and undeniably stunning.
She had always known the whispers. The envy and admiration from others who saw her as the woman who had won Benedict’s heart.
But the darker whispers followed, too, cruel words behind her back, branding her as an old hag, a woman who had used their child as a means to trap Benedict in her web.
It wasn’t just the hotel, the roses, or the jewelry; it was everything. All of it belonged to Millicent.
Odette could barely stomach the words the receptionist spoke. The mention of “big brother” and how Benedict had showered Millicent with gifts was the final straw.
“I often hear Mr. Evander’s wife calling him ‘big brother.’ Honestly, it’s quite a skill; imagine being six years older and still managing to call him that,” the receptionist mused.
“Mr. Evander never forgets her, always red roses, sparkling jewelry, and other gifts. It’s truly enviable...”
Odette’s heart twisted with the weight of the words. She couldn’t listen anymore. With one sharp motion, she hung up.
She had never set foot in that hotel. Not once.
And everything she had believed, every gesture of love she had been part of, now felt like a cruel mirage. The hotel, the flowers, the jewels, they were all Millicent’s.
The receptionist, still confused, muttered to a nearby colleague, “Some random person called, asking about Mr. Evander’s visits. Then, I just hung up. What a jealous type.”
第5章
The location-tracking app had always been there, a silent reminder of the bond Odette and Benedict once shared. Installed together before their marriage, it had been a symbol of safety. Now, it only felt like a haunting presence, one they both left on, even as their love faded.
Odette returned home alone, the weight of her heart heavier with each step.
Nine days. Only nine days left.
She stood in the rain, her eyes raw and swollen, watching as the workers chopped down the crabapple trees in the yard, the ones she had cherished above all.
As each tree fell, Odette felt as though a part of her soul was uprooted with it. The promise they had shared, the dream of swinging beneath the blooming branches, slipped further away with each falling bough.
“When the crabapple flowers bloom, we’ll swing together in the yard, alright?”
It had been their promise.
But now, there was no waiting for those flowers to bloom.
She stared at the crumpled remnants of the trees, lost in the past, her heart too broken to hold on to hope.
“What a pity. These trees were so well cared for... They would’ve bloomed next month,” one worker whispered, his voice tinged with regret.
“Doesn’t matter. If the madam doesn’t want them, they’re gone. In Mr. Evander’s heart, her word is law,” the other murmured as the trees fell one by one.
After the loss of the crabapple trees, Odette’s long-dormant pancreatitis flared up violently. The pain hit her like a storm, leaving her disoriented and lost in a fog.
In her haze, she tried calling Benedict repeatedly, but each ring went unanswered.
Eventually, the pain became too much, and in the blur of her last moments of consciousness, she managed to call for an ambulance before slipping into darkness.
The following day, Benedict returned home, stumbling through the door, reeking of alcohol after a night of indulgence.
As he passed through the yard, he stopped, staring blankly at the barren space where the crabapple trees had once stood. His eyes lingered for a moment, but he didn’t notice the emptiness that had settled in the air.
Without a second thought, he bent over and vomited where the trees had been.
A moment of clarity washed over him as he straightened, feeling slightly more sober. He staggered into the house, making his way upstairs to the master bedroom.
When he collapsed onto the bed, he pulled Odette into his arms, his body craving the comfort of her warmth.
He sighed deeply, trying to find peace in the silence.
But just as he settled, the distant wail of an ambulance siren sliced through the stillness.
Startled, Benedict gently pushed Odette aside, only to find her frowning, unconscious, completely unaware of his presence.
A sudden chill ran down Benedict’s spine as he realized something was horribly wrong. Without a second thought, he scooped Odette into his arms and rushed downstairs.
“Dr. Clarendon called the hospital; she’s having a pancreatitis attack,” one of Odette’s colleagues explained, worry thick in their voice.
“Get her to the hospital. Now!” Benedict ordered, trying to keep his voice steady, but his body betrayed him, shaking with anxiety.
It wasn’t the first time Odette had faced this attack. But the last time had been years ago, three or four to be exact.
Her intense work schedule, skipping meals, staying up far too late, and always putting herself last had been the culprit back then.
Since being with Benedict, though, those attacks had become a distant memory, thanks to his careful attention to her health.
Now, as he clutched her hand, a rush of guilt surged through him as he stared at the missed calls from Millicent.
Without a second thought, he dismissed her call with a sharp tap of his finger, a cold decision that felt oddly right.
At the hospital, Odette was rushed into emergency care.
When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Benedict’s frantic face, his eyes bloodshot from worry.
“Baby, you scared me to death,” he breathed, his voice cracking as he pressed a gentle kiss to her hand.
Tears slipped quietly down Odette’s cheeks, yet she remained silent, her heart heavy with words she couldn’t find.
For the next three days, Benedict hardly left her side, his presence a constant, though his mind lingered elsewhere; whenever Millicent called, a pang of guilt gnawed at him.
The day Odette was finally discharged, Benedict held her gently as they walked through the yard. It was then that he noticed the absence; the crabapple trees were gone.
“What happened to the trees? Where are our crabapple trees? Who would dare destroy them?”
Fury surged within him as he turned to the housekeeper, Caroline, who trembled under his gaze.
“I had them cut down. They died,” Odette replied softly, her face as pale as the winter sky, yet a faint, forced smile played on her lips, masking the storm inside.
第6章
Benedict panicked, his voice rising with urgency. “I’ll have someone transplant semi-mature trees here. Maybe, just maybe, we can still see them bloom this year...”
Odette gazed at the space, her voice a whisper of finality. “No need. Dead is dead.”
Benedict wrapped his arms around her from behind, his tone pleading. “Don’t talk like that. Don’t scare me.”
Odette turned her head slightly, her voice soft yet steady. “Benedict, your birthday is coming soon. I’ve prepared a gift for you.”
His face brightened, the warmth of a smile spreading across his lips. “Really? I’m looking forward to it.”
But the moment was shattered by the sharp ring of his phone. After answering, his demeanor changed, his expression darkening.
Once he hung up, his words were swift. “Someone at the construction site is threatening to jump. I need to check it out.”
Odette nodded silently, her eyes following his retreating figure.
Back when they were dating, Benedict had always watched her leave. He used to say she was an angel in white, a warrior fighting against the tide, saving broken families and precious lives.
But she couldn’t save their love.
Soon enough, Odette received a picture from Millicent, which was a pregnancy test.
A sharp pain twisted in Odette’s chest, the air seeming to squeeze out of her lungs.
Benedict had broken his promise again.
How many times had he betrayed her? The count seemed impossible.
Six months ago, on their way to a simple date, they had been in a car accident.
In that moment of impending doom, Odette had thrown herself in front of Benedict, shielding him from harm.
The crash had left her gravely injured, bleeding heavily, and took from her the one thing she could never get back: her uterus.
Benedict had been beside himself with fear, shaking as he held her hand tightly, vowing that no matter what happened, his love for her would never waver.
When the news came that her uterus couldn’t be saved, he had immediately assured her it didn’t matter, that he could live without children as long as she was by his side.
Before she was wheeled into surgery, fully aware she could never have a child of her own, Benedict had proposed again, the eighth time.
Everyone in the room had been moved as Benedict spoke with such sincerity, his voice thick with emotion. “Odette brought light into my life, and now she’s sacrificed everything for me. If I ever fail her, I deserve the heavens to strike me down.”
Overwhelmed, Odette had agreed, tears filling her eyes.
But reality had come crashing down hard, leaving her heart shattered.
The promises still echoed in her mind, but the man who made them had proven unable to control himself. Instead, he had let another woman carry his child.
Millicent's message popped up, cold and cruel: [I’m pregnant. Your man laughed in my face, calling you a useless hen who can’t lay eggs. He’s on his way to see me now.]
[How could a successful man settle for no heir? Only someone as naïve as you would believe otherwise.]
[Odette, maybe he loved you once, but that was in the past. Now, all his passion belongs to me. Doesn’t it sting watching him move on?]
]Oh my god, he’s amazing. He got here so fast and even brought my favorite beef patties.]
Millicent followed up with a photo of pancakes, then another one of Benedict washing her feet.
Odette stared, unblinking, at the screen.
It was true, those who were adored never had to fear losing it.
She scrolled through one of Millicent’s earliest posts, her finger trembling as she read.
July 31, 11:58 p.m.
At that exact moment, Odette had been lying on the operating table, the cold sting of the scalpel cutting into her as her uterus was removed.
Meanwhile, Millicent had posted. [My CEO boyfriend is practically Superman! Braving the storm to bring me my favorite beef patties. When someone truly loves you, they’ll give you nothing less than the best.]
The post was accompanied by a picture of steaming, juicy beef patties, and there, drenched by the downpour, stood Benedict, his white shirt clinging to his body, the rain making it almost see-through, accentuating the sensual curve of his throat and neck.
Odette recalled the storm; it had been a once-in-a-lifetime tempest that day.
第7章
After the anesthesia wore off, Odette slowly came to, her vision blurry. The first thing she saw was Benedict, drenched to the bone.
In a weak, raspy voice, she asked, “Where have you been? Why are you soaked?”
Benedict gently placed a protective charm in her palm, his eyes glinting like stars in the night sky. “Baby, I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you. I was out of my mind with worry.”
“I heard the peace charms at Divine Light Chapel are especially powerful, so I braved the storm and climbed the mountain to pray for you.”
“So dangerous…”
Back then, Odette’s heart had ached for him. She had thought he was being sweet, even silly.
But now, she realized the fool was her.
Climbing mountains to pray for blessings?
When she’d lost her uterus because of him, Benedict had been out in the storm, buying beef patties for Millicent.
Scrolling further through Millicent’s social media posts, Odette found nothing but heartwarming displays of affection.
They had climbed the Himalayas together, sharing passionate kisses as they gasped for breath at the summit.
They’d even watched the auroras dance across the sky, chasing shooting stars together.
All the promises Benedict had once made to Odette lingered in her mind like fading echoes. They were promised to visit places and share moments. Still, he had delayed them, one after another, until they became nothing but distant dreams.
Countdown: Five Days
Odette gathered all the photos of her and Benedict that had been tucked away in his study.
One by one, she slowly cut herself out of each picture.
In the end, all that remained in those photographs was Benedict, standing alone, as if he had never shared his life with anyone.
Countdown: Four Days
Odette ripped down all the sticky notes from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Benedict had a habit of leaving her little messages, writing things he wanted to say, even on the busiest days.
Once upon a time, Odette had lovingly replied to each note, cherishing every word.
Now, she tossed those love-soaked notes into the fire pit, watching them curl and burn, a symbol of everything she was letting go.
When Benedict passed by the window later, he felt a subtle shift in the air; something was off.
But he couldn’t quite put his finger on it, as if the warmth between them had suddenly slipped away, leaving only a cold space.
Countdown: Three Days
Odette received a photo of a tattoo from Millicent.
It was a picture of the tattoo on Benedict’s body.
Four years ago, they had walked into a tattoo parlor hand in hand, promising each other forever with matching tattoos.
Odette had a flame etched on her waist, with Benedict’s name, “Benedict,” burned into the fire.
Benedict had a blooming begonia flower inked on his waist, with Odette’s name, “Odette,” nestled beside it.
But now, a white cloud had been added next to the begonia.
That cloud symbolized Millicent.
Millicent taunted her through WhatsApp. [Odette, mark my words. One day, he’ll erase your begonia for me.]
The words cut deep, but Odette didn’t flinch. Instead, she took a leave of absence and made her way to the tattoo parlor.
With a clenched jaw and a heart full of quiet resolve, she removed the tattoo that once bound her to Benedict.
Countdown: Two Days
Millicent went to the hospital for a prenatal checkup, but her real plan was far from innocent.
In the quiet of a blind spot, she threw herself down the stairs, then spun a web of lies, falsely accusing Odette of pushing her.
Odette watched from the shadows, her gaze as cold as ice. At the same time, Millicent exaggerated every detail to Benedict on the phone.
Millicent didn’t even try to hide her malicious delight, putting the call on speaker so Odette could hear Benedict’s voice.
“How could you be so careless?” Benedict’s voice sounded sharp with worry. “I’ll call the lawyer. If any doctor is at fault here, I’ll make sure they never work again.”
Millicent’s lips curled into a victorious smile. “Darling, hurry up. I’m waiting for you at the hospital.”
After hanging up, she clutched her stomach, feigning fear. “Lucky for me, the baby’s fine. But if anything had happened, let’s see if Benedict wouldn’t tear you apart in public.”
A couple of nurses nearby murmured, intrigued by the spectacle.
“Who was that? Did she just mention Mr. Evander’s name?”
“Impossible. Mr. Evander is known for only having eyes for Director Clarendon. How could he be involved with another woman?”
“Must be some opportunist. Mr. Evander’s been targeted by one of those dishonest women!”
The nurses’ whispers hung in the air like poison, but Odette’s heart was a stone. She’d heard enough.
Benedict arrived in a flash, his hands quickly going to Millicent’s side to help her to her feet.
"Are you blind or…"
The moment his eyes met Odette’s, the harsh words froze in his throat. “Odette?”