The Silent Goodbye

Nissa got up, limping as she stepped out of the bathroom.

She wanted to retrieve her broken phone. After all, she could not afford a new one.

Blood from the wound on her forehead blurred her vision. She stumbled and nearly fell.

Just then, a pair of hands reached out and caught her.

She turned her head--and was stunned to see Marcus Jules, Benjamin's uncle, looking at her with heartbreak in his eyes.

He just came for a routine check-up at the hospital.

"Nissa, how did you get hurt so badly?"

She did not expect to run into him, and she lowered her head awkwardly.

But the more she tried to hide it, the more pained Marcus looked.

In that instant, he understood everything. These wounds were the work of his nephew.

"That bastard! Is this how he treats you?"

He once believed he was helping to arrange a good marriage, but all he did was push Nissa into a pit of fire.

Marcus took her to the ER, made all the arrangements.

Before leaving, he muttered vaguely, "I'll take care of everything."

Nissa did not understand what he meant.

Holding her shattered phone, she stood dazed.

Just then, a voice behind her drawled, "So this is where you were hiding? Took me long enough to find you."

She turned around and saw Charlotte standing there, smirking smugly.

Charlotte's gaze swept over Nissa's drenched figure, lips curled in pride.

"You saw how much Benjamin cares about me, didn't you? Be smart and leave him. Otherwise, if you end up kicked out of the house, it's going to be ugly."

Nissa pressed her lips together. She had already made up her mind to leave, but hearing it from Charlotte made it sting even more.

Without a word, she tucked her broken phone away and turned to walk off.

Charlotte frowned and grabbed her arm. "What's with that attitude? You think you're better than me?"

Then she scoffed, waving a hand. "Forget it. I'm not going to argue with a mute. I know someone like you doesn't have many job options, so don't say I'm being heartless. Take this money, and leave Benjamin now."

Without waiting for a response, she shoved a check into Nissa's hands.

It was not a huge amount, just over a hundred thousand dollars. But for Nissa, it was a fortune.

When she hesitated, Charlotte sneered. "Too little for you? You've already milked the Jules family for months. It's time to quit while you're ahead."

Nissa opened her mouth, trying to explain, but stopped short.

She never took a dime beyond what she was given as medical allowance, and even that she always felt grateful for. She never dared ask for more, afraid it would irritate Benjamin.

She wanted to refuse the check, but then she remembered that once she left the Jules family, she would have no income.

Moreover, she was pregnant with a child now. Raising a child was not cheap.

If Charlotty wanted to pay her off, why not accept it?

From a young age, she was taught not to accept what was not rightfully hers. Taking that check went against everything she believed in.

But this time, for the sake of her baby, she forced herself to accept it.

Her cheeks burned with shame as she carefully folded the check and slipped it into her pocket.

She made up her mind. Someday, when she had the money, she would pay Charlotte back.

Charlotte would be staying at the hospital for a while, and Benjamin was sure to stay with her.

This was the perfect time to go to the bank and cash the check.

But first, Nissa wanted to return to the Jules residence and change clothes. Her entire body was soaked, and she didn't want to risk catching a cold.

She could get sick; that was fine. However, she would not risk her baby.

The Jules residence was massive. Aside from the master bedroom, there were several guest rooms.

Though she carried the title of "Mrs. Jules," Nissa always lived in one of the guest rooms.

She was only called to the master bedroom when Benjamin wanted her for his needs.

And afterward, she was always sent back to the guest room.

Back at the house, she peeled off her wet clothes and dried herself with a towel.

Her hand instinctively covered her lower belly.

Her waist was still slim, and there was no visible bump yet. But just knowing that a tiny life was growing inside her made her feel a strange sense of wonder.

She sighed. While she looked forward to the child's arrival, deep down, she doubted whether she could be a good mother.

She reached for fresh clothes.

Just as she was about to put them on, the guest room door suddenly swung open.

Benjamin stood at the entrance, having returned without her knowing.

He saw her standing there, completely in her birthday suit, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

Nissa's figure was delicate, her skin pale and soft.

Her cheeks flushed with panic as she scrambled to cover herself with the bedsheet, like a frightened bird.

Benjamin's throat tightened involuntarily.

But he hid it well. Not a trace of emotion showed on his face.

He said coolly, "Charlotte's injury is serious. You should take responsibility. I'm not expecting you to be thoughtful enough to care for her. Just make her meals from now on. I'll bring them to the hospital. Understand?"

Nissa frantically nodded, clutching the sheet tightly. Her face was crimson as she buried it into the blanket in embarrassment.

Benjamin's gaze lingered on the sliver of skin still visible.

He adjusted his collar with a flick of his finger and was about to leave when something caught his eye.

A corner of paper was sticking out from Nissa's discarded wet clothes.

Curious, he picked it up--and his expression instantly darkened.

It was the check.

He glared at her and barked, "Nissa! Did you just ask Charlotte for money?"