Benjamin used to say, "Work is never more important than you, Eleanor. You’re the most precious thing in my life.
"I love you, Eleanor."
But now, those words feel like illusions, fading into nothingness.
When I returned to the villa, Mia stood in front of me with red eyes. She looked extremely guilty and uneasy. She seemed on the verge of speaking several times, only to swallow her words. She looked pitiful, as though I had wronged her.
From the stairs, Benjamin descended, his voice cold as he addressed her, "Mia, come here.
"Go clean the study. This is none of your business."
"Sir... I... I..." Mia shrank back in fear but finally gave in under Benjamin's piercing gaze.
Yet, as she turned, she shot me a glance full of silent accusation, as if to say, "I’m only doing this because I have no choice."
The study?
"Benjamin never allows anyone into his study. Why does this maid get to go in?" Young Eleanor fumed beside me, glaring at Mia’s retreating figure.
"She’s the other woman! She’s seducing him!
"But Benjamin won’t fall for it. She’s setting herself up for heartbreak."
Young Eleanor’s voice was full of confidence, dismissing Mia entirely.
After all, what did Mia have to attract him?
In terms of looks, she couldn’t hold a candle to me.
In terms of figure, she didn’t have my curves.
In terms of education, she was just a poor student from an ordinary university.
Yet, this plain and unremarkable Mia, who would blend into any crowd, had effortlessly stolen all of Benjamin's love and captured his complete attention.
"She's different."
Standing at the doorway with my suitcase in hand, I murmured softly, "She’s different."
My words were so faint, carried away by the breeze, leaving no trace.
Yet, in the vast silence of our villa, each syllable resonated clearly.
Young Eleanor, at the age of eighteen, had all of Benjamin’s love. Secure in being loved, she was confident that Benjamin would never love anyone else.
But at the age of thirty-eight, I was slowly being discarded by him, left with nothing, and eventually even committed to a mental institution.
The intense love we once shared had faded over the past decade, becoming as fragile as thin paper, crumbling at the slightest touch.
Once, Benjamin couldn’t bear to let me carry anything heavy. Now, I could lug my suitcase with both hands.
"I believe Benjamin won't change.
"He won't."