Chapter 130 Cultivating feelings
Farra grabbed Jean’s hand and solemnly said, “From now on, it’s best for our two families to stay away from each other.”
When she had delivered her ultimatum, Farra took hold of Jean’s hand and walked back to the ward. Jean was shocked by the turn of events —she noticed that Farra’s eyes were red.
She hesitated but finally offered, “Aunty, do you need a tissue?”
Farra paused for a moment and turned to face Jean. “Why didn’t you say anything back to her? Letting Ally berate you like that,” sighed Farra. “you’ve been with Benny’s side this whole. God knows he doesn’t deserve you. I can’t believe that child had the audacity in her to say such things!”
Jean made an archaic smile from Farra’s words. She handed the tissue to her. “It’s pointless to tell her that,” Jean consoled. Those criticisms and accusations —they were not worth mentioning in the conversation.
She lowered her gaze towards Farra’s hand. “How were the test results? Do they still need to…”
Jean paused. She decided to stop herself from bringing up the subject. She knew Farra had always been worried about the amputation.
“No, no!” Farra smiled tearfully and held a report, “The doctor said that Benny has been recovering well for the past two days. There will be no need for an amputation,” smiled Farra. “all planned operations have been cancelled. Although, there are two more operations required. Both operations are of low risk. He just needs to recover slowly…”
Bang. There was a loud noise from the ward. Jean’s instinct kicked, and she rushed into the ward.
Ben was on the ground with an anguished expression. Pieces of broken glass that originally formed a drinking glass were scattered all over the floor. Ben looked at Jean in a daze. “Just now, what were you talking about with my mother? What amputation? What surgery?” He gasped.
“You’re injured,” said Jean as she grabbed his bleeding hand. “Aunty, call the nurse over.”
“Alright,” responded Farra. She hurriedly ran out to the reception. Ben seemed to be falling in and out of consciousness. He kept asking Jean, “Tell me who is having an amputation!”
Everyone was hiding something from him. Ben was limping towards the water dispenser when he overheard the conversation by the door. He collapsed out of panic. Jean cursed with gritted teeth. Eventually, this secret will be exposed.
“Ben, there was treatment proposed by the doctors. It’s been called off,” consoled Jean. “Don’t worry, you will be able to race again. Definitely.”
Jean didn’t know how to calm him down. Her words seemed to lose integrity as she spoke. Jean focused on Ben’s hands. She brushed away the stray fragments of glass and gently blew on his hands —all she wanted was for him to feel comfortable. Yet…
Ben gasped, “So, this is just your way to cure your guilt, isn’t it?” He grabbed Jean’s shoulder to anchor her down and cried, “What if I can no longer drive? H3ll! If I can never walk again, will you even be here?”
He laughed hysterically. Ben babbled, “I’m such an idiot. You would think I would know you by now. I’ve been chasing a ghost, hoping to be loved. You wouldn’t agree!”
“Ben,” murmured Jean. Jean met with his gaze. She grasped onto his wrist. The man stared into his paramour. Neither of them exchanged words for the moment.
There were so many things Jean wanted to say —to confess. Maybe she did feel guilty. Was it a crime to feel those things?
“Ben, if it was me on that road, I would have done the same,” exclaimed Jean. “I’m a person of my own Ben, I know what I’m doing,” she smiled with an ache in her heart.
Suddenly, the door behind them creaked open. Jean immediately released Ben’s hand.
This was a failed marriage. There is no way to salvage what has been destroyed.
Ben is in a good place with his family, it would be best if she didn’t interfere. Perhaps God, or the universe, or maybe karma, needed them to cross paths to learn a lesson. Jean needed to understand that she could not break his heart again.
As Ben watched Jean exit the door, he wore a weary expression.
A nurse entered the room and helped Ben to dress. Farra Emilio paced around as she grew worried.
“Where is Jean? She went out for so long. I’ll give her a call.”
“No. Don’t let her,” stopped Ben. “I don’t want to see her.”
Farra, with a puzzled look said, “Did you two just quarrel? Jean is a good person.” She sighed and continued, “I’ve reflected on this well enough, and you two are good for each other. In fact, me and your father support the two of you together.”
“No.”
Ben was confused. Definitely. He just didn’t know what to say after that moment.
Farra looked at him and then focused back on the report. She commented, “Emotions are fickle. However, you can learn to cultivate your feelings. There is a long way to go.”
He collapsed onto his hands and made a frustrated sound. “I don’t want Jean to be with me out of pity.”
Initially, Jean exited the building to clear her head. She just had a meaningful moment with Ben and needed to process it.
Suddenly, Sonny called her on the phone.
The conversation led her to hail a cab straight to Edgar.
She needed to meet Edgar in person and find out who tempered the investigation results of the Racing Association!
But for what? To publicly admit that it was all an accident.
Jean was immediately stopped by security as she entered the front desk.
“Ms. Eyer, you can’t see Mr. Royden without an appointment.”
“Step aside!”
Jean gritted her teeth. “If you don’t let me in today, you will regret it.”
“Ms. Eyer, please don’t embarrass us.”
“Jean Eyer?” Someone came from behind and recognized her.
The individual was dressed in a handmade suit, with a kind smile. His bright eyes did not reflect his current age of a fifty-year-old.
Edbart Royden, Edgar Royden’s second uncle. He was the current vice president of the Royden Group.
The vice president supposedly had no real influence, though. Just last month, he was moved back to Yorktown.
The fact that he was one of Edgar Royden’s few relatives and gets along well with him further contributes to Jean’s opinion of this individual. Edbert was also there when they got married.
They first met at that time.
Edbert smiled broadly and said, “I’ll simply say, I’m not old-fashioned yet.” Jean turned to face him.
“Let go,” he scowled at the security people who grabbed Jean’s hand.
“But, Vice President…Ms. Eyer has no appointment. We can’t let her in,” said the staff with embarrassment.
Edbert frowned and immediately helped Jean out of the siege. “She does have an appointment with me. Now, if you mind, unhand her.”
He waved his hand and gave Jean a wink.
They both entered the elevator.
Jean was confused by the whole turn of events. “Why are you helping me?”
“It doesn’t matter why you and Ben separated. You were still once family. Kids these days need to cherish family, or they’ll come to regret,” sighed Edbert.
