During lunch, I watched as Benjamin meticulously picked through the fish, tirelessly removing every bone for Sylvia.
I trembled with anger, but all that remained was a bitter smile.
Now, I am just a soul, powerless to intervene.
It’s one thing to ignore me, but Allen is your own son!
You’re so busy lavishing affection on Sylvia. Have you given any thought to where Allen might be at this very moment?
Suddenly, Sylvia set down her chopsticks as if a memory had surfaced.
“Ben, isn’t Allen still in the hospital? Is it really okay for him to be there? Shouldn’t we bring him here?”
She smiled warmly.
Benjamin hesitated for a moment and replied, “It’s fine. He hasn’t even recognized me as his dad yet. He’s probably having a blast with his mom’s best friend right now.”
“No, what if he picks up bad habits? It’s better to bring Allen here,” she insisted.
He picked up his phone and tried calling me.
My phone remained unanswered.
Again and again, he dialed, frustration mounting with each failed attempt.
Finally, he gave up and scroll through his contacts and found Sloane's number, remembering what she had told him that morning about my passing.
Benjamin stared at the digits on his phone for a long time, his finger hovering over them.
Doubts swirled in his mind, sparked by Sloane's revelation. But in the end, he didn’t make the call.
Perhaps Sloane’s words had planted seeds of doubt in his mind. Suddenly, Benjamin stood up.
“Sylvia, stay home and rest. I’m going to the hospital to check on Mirabelle.”
Sylvia's complexion paled at his words.
I was curious why Benjamin’s intention to see me elicited such a reaction from her.
Was she afraid Benjamin wouldn’t come back after visiting me?
But Sylvia was overthinking it. The allure of romance often proved irresistible to men.
Even if Sylvia did nothing, Benjamin would still rush to her side without hesitation.
I watched as Sylvia tightly grasped Benjamin’s sleeve.
Her face was pale, her tone pleading.
“Ben, I’m feeling a bit unwell. Can you stay with me at home?” She gently covered her chest, as if in great pain. True to form, Benjamin completely forgot what he had originally intended to do.
He held Sylvia in his arms, concern etched on his face. “Sylvia, are you alright? Let me take you to the hospital for a check-up.”
“Ben, as long as you’re by my side, I’ll be fine.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at their clingy display.
In the end, Benjamin brushed aside the matter and headed to the kitchen to cook gruel for Sylvia.
To him, Sylvia was more important than his despised wife!
I stood silently in the room, watching Sylvia.
Once Benjamin confirmed he had left, Sylvia sneakily opened her WhatsApp.
“Dr. Hartwell, Benjamin is becoming suspicious. You must keep Mirabelle’s situation a secret!”
[Don’t worry, everything is under control!] The reply came quickly, reassuring Sylvia.
My heart skipped a beat.
Sylvia had contacted Dr. Hartwell, my attending physician who had also issued my death certificate. Why would he agree to help Sylvia conceal my death? Could there be hidden truths behind my passing?
I yearned to know the truth, but as a soul, I could do nothing.
When Benjamin finally noticed the pile of unswept trash on the floor, he remembered his long-lost wife. I chuckled bitterly. It seemed that, to him, I was merely a maid.
He called me, but there was no answer.
Then he called Sloane.
Without waiting for Sloane to speak, Benjamin began, “Tell Mirabelle Lewis that if she doesn’t answer my call again, she might as well never answer in her life.”
Sloane was almost in tears. “She’ll never answer your calls again! She’s dead. What are you waiting for?”
Benjamin didn’t believe her.
He looked disgusted. “I’ve checked with the doctor; Mirabelle is perfectly fine! Are you trying to disgust me with such talk?”
“Mirabelle is sick, and you, deaf and blind. Allen must be having a hard time with you. I’ll come get Allen later; tell Mirabelle to get ready.”
Ignoring Benjamin, Sloane spoke firmly, “You’ve done enough harm to Mirabelle. I won’t hand Allen over to you.”
“That's enough!” Benjamin growled. “How long do you plan to keep fooling around?”
Sloane’s emotions finally broke. “Who’s fooling around with you? I don’t believe the death certificate wasn’t sent to your phone!”