Chapter 11: Regretting So Soon
Uncle Benjamin didn’t say a word, so I called him again. But he turned his back on me, clearly unwilling to talk. I didn’t push further. I wasn’t good at expressing emotions or mending family ties. Instead, I simply said, “The doctor mentioned your heart condition. You need a full check-up soon and surgery as soon as possible. Don’t delay.”
I pulled the water bottle and headed to the water station. The hospital’s water station was right next to the doctor’s lounge, and as I filled the water bottle, I overheard a conversation from the area.
“I’ve booked the ticket. I’m leaving on Monday. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of myself once I’m abroad.”
Upon hearing that, I immediately understood. There he was—the man standing tall in his white coat, leaving the country soon. A refined demeanor. It was Yinite’s prince charming, from the sound of it. I imagined her without him, right after he left them. That was when she finally decided—there was no turning back. She left me, leaving me devastated, and flew across the ocean to chase after him.
What a twist—she was the one who helped him, and she had abandoned me for him. I remember one night when she came home complaining of stomach pain from excessive drinking. And me? I stayed up all night taking care of her.
Veette and I weren’t indifferent at all. We were both pathetic, hopelessly devoted fools chasing after people who didn’t care about us. I was still a fool when I heard him mention the lodge softly, and the call ended abruptly. He called me back, and when he saw me, his expression changed drastically. “Watch out!”
Before I knew what was happening, a scalding pain jolted through my hand. The water bottle had fallen, spilling boiling water onto my skin. Dietereames immediately, dabbing my hand with a damp cloth and cold water. His brows furrowed as he muttered, “You’re lucky it’s not serious, but you shouldn’t let your mind wander when handling hot water.”
Still in shock, I looked at him. His voice was steady and profound, and I could feel the genuine care beneath it. “Come to my office. I have some ointment you should use.”
I looked down at a worn rug—Rindali Calovek. Vivere loved this man wholeheartedly for her entire life, doing everything she could to help him. A scene from my past life flashed in my mind: the moment they prepared; she happily hugged Randall's slender waist, and he gently looked down at her. Though the journey was difficult, they eventually ended up together.
“Alright, you need to apply this ointment a few times daily. You’ll likely feel a light burning sensation at night, so bear with it.” He handed me the ointment and gave me a few instructions.
I turned with the water bottle in hand and left his office. In a sense, we were rivals, but I had so little inclination to compete with him in my past life. I didn’t even bother to learn his name back then, only remembering that cold, refined face. The truth is, I had no intention of getting involved with him. The best strategy was to stay away from him and Yvette.
Back in the ward where Benjamin was, I set down the water bottle and poured him a glass of water. His face was buried in a thick beard, his gaze empty and desolate. It was as if he had already given up on everything.
Seeing this, I sighed. “I’ve saved my number in your phone. If anything comes up, call me immediately. As for the hospital bill, you don’t need to worry. I’ll take care of that.”
I didn’t know much about his late wife, but judging by his patched-up clothes and how worn-out he looked, he was clearly struggling. Maybe my grandfather had cast him out just like my…
Suddenly, I felt a hand grab my wet hand. I looked back, surprised to see Uncle Desjardin holding an emerald pendant. He rubbed it over the smooth surface several times before placing it gently in my palm. “A gift for you.”
I paused for a moment, then glanced at Benjamin. He closed his eyes again, seemingly not wanting to say anything more to me. But I could still feel the emerald pendant in my hand. I understood that he was budding, slowly learning how to express himself. A wave of emotion hit me, and my nose tingled with sadness. I lowered my head and gazed at the emerald pendant in my hand. Its texture was smooth and warm, clearly a fine piece of work. Rarely had anyone truly cared for me. Yet, I could feel a familial warmth in his silent, withdrawn, and seemingly sad demeanor. Despite his life seeming far more challenging than mine, he had given me such a precious emerald pendant as a gift.
I decided to try a different approach, and I carefully considered the situation with a calm mind. Dietereames's lean frame was a bit stiff, yet no one was looking at him. Like my mother, I guessed he might have had a falling out with my grandmother. Sadness struck him; it was clear he cared for her, and he wasn’t unkind to me either. I couldn’t just stand by and watch him repeat the mistakes of the past.
My father, on the other hand, only knew how to ask me for money. He would often create problems and drama, especially considering how much my grandfather had helped him be a successful businessman, enduring hardships without rest.
I was wondering how to approach her when I was interrupted by a mechanical female voice on the phone. “Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later.”
Honestly, I knew Trette well—her phone was always on and she only turned it off for emergencies. Usually, I could reach her quickly, so why wasn’t she answering this time? I tried again, seven or eight times in a row, my anxiety growing. The genuine doubt and frustration erupted as I cursed at the phone, “Why isn’t she answering? Is she acting differently than in my past life? Back then, she would just hang up on me, but now she’s ignoring me?”
Finally, the call was answered. I could barely hold back my tears, only to hear her mocking laugh. “Well, regretting so soon? Reconciling, huh?” I heard her scoffing indifferently, her voice full of confidence. “Oh, I'm not thinking that. I’m calling to let you know that when we divorce, I expect two million as my settlement fee…”