Chapter 626
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a pack of tissues, and handed them to her. “Here, don’t cry. Wipe those tears away.”
Cheryl choked out a tearful “Thank you.”
Benny said casually, “You know, my parents are divorced too.”
Cheryl paused for a second, her misty eyes blinking as she glanced at Benny.
“To be precise, my parents divorced right after I graduated from high school,” he said. “Honestly, if two people aren’t compatible or fall out of love, divorce is perfectly normal. Isn’t marriage supposed to make you happy?
“If you’re constantly clashing over fundamental values, it’s better to split up so both sides can find their peace. It didn’t affect me at all. Even after the divorce, I still have my parents. They just found a different way to be there for me.”
Benny said it as casually as if he were just talking about the weather.
Cheryl sniffled, “But my parents always seemed so loving toward each other. I truly believed my dad would never–”
Benny shrugged and said, “They were probably just putting on a show to spare your feelings. Who knows how long your parents have been drifting apart? Divorce is their own decision. You should respect that, don’t you think?”
“Donald told me the same thing,” Cheryl said, wiping away her tears. “I just can’t accept that my dad actually cheated. The image of him in my heart has completely crumbled. Now I’m too scared to even think about getting married.”
Benny raised an eyebrow and teased, “You still want to get married?” Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he quickly asked, “Wait, where did you leave your daughter?”
Cheryl explained, “I left my daughter with Teresa.”
“You and Teresa are still so close. She’s not even your sister-in-law anymore, yet you still ask her to babysit for you.”
“Yeah, Teresa is really good, way better than that Jennifer.”
Benny quirked his lips but said nothing more, thinking to himself, ‘This girl is really so carefree.’
Cheryl stared at Benny’s handsome, fresh face. “Oh, right,” she began, “When your parents divorced, were you, like, given to your dad or your mom?”
Benny nearly burst out laughing but managed to hold it back.
Cheryl looked at him, a hint of confusion in her voice. “What are you laughing at?”
Benny chuckled and shook his head. “You’re so innocent. Don’t you even know the basics? Once a kid grows up, there’s no such thing as custody…”
“Oh, I see…” Cheryl murmured, her eyes widening in realization. She had thought she’d have to choose between Werner and Cathy.
Benny said with a resigned sigh, “Cheryl, you really should learn a bit about the law when you get a chance. It’ll do you good.”
“Fine,” she murmured. Just then, her phone rang.
Benny glanced at her caller ID. “Looks like your family is calling. You should answer. They must be worried sick about you.”
Cheryl answered, and Cathy sounded frantic on the other end. “Cheryl, where have you been? Donald and Werner have been searching everywhere for you. It’s getting dark. Come home.”
Cathy reassured her, “Even though Werner and I are divorced now, our love for you will never change.”
Cathy and Werner talked it over and agreed to get Cheryl a car. This time, Werner actually went ahead and ordered it for her. It was already on order and should arrive by the end of the month.
Cheryl’s eyes stung with tears. “Mom, I’m coming home right now. We’ll talk more when I get back, okay?” After hanging up, Cheryl turned to Benny and said, “My whole family’s been worried sick looking for me.”
Benny said gently, “Okay. It’s getting late. You really should head home now.” Seeing Cheryl’s tear-streaked face, he offered to drive her home.