Luisa got off the bus and began walking toward her home.
The street was quiet, and the night air was cool. The soft glow of the streetlights reflected on the wet pavement after the rain.
As she walked, she passed by Ben's apartment building.
Just then, a car suddenly sped past the gate at a very high speed.
Luisa instinctively turned her head.
Inside the car, she saw Ben.
His expression looked tense… almost angry.
But Ben didn't notice her.
The car disappeared down the road in seconds.
Luisa stood there for a moment.
Luisa:
"Oh my God… he looked really angry."
She frowned slightly.
Luisa:
"I hope everything is okay…"
She continued walking home, but the image of Ben's angry face stayed in her mind.
Once she reached home, she sat down on the couch, still thinking about it.
Luisa (thinking):
I hope nothing bad happened…
Meanwhile
Ben was driving very fast through the quiet streets of Himmer.
His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly.
Finally, he stopped in front of a large, luxurious house.
He stepped out of the car and walked straight inside.
The house was elegant but had an old, heavy atmosphere.
As soon as he entered, a beautiful older woman approached him with a warm smile.
Woman:
"Oh, my dear son… you're here."
But Ben ignored her completely.
His eyes searched the room.
Ben:
"Where is that old man?"
The woman's smile faded awkwardly.
Woman:
"He's inside his room."
Just then, an older man slowly walked out of the room.
He looked weak and sick.
It was Ben's father.
He was a powerful businessman—rich, proud, and greedy.
Ben's anger exploded the moment he saw him.
Ben:
"How dare you tell Charlotte to stay away from me and break up with me?!"
He stepped closer to his father, his voice filled with rage.
The woman quickly stepped between them.
Woman:
"Ben, stop! He's already very sick. Please don't fight."
Ben's eyes were cold.
Ben:
"Please move. I'm asking politely."
Ben's father raised his hand slightly.
Ben's Father:
"Let him come."
The woman slowly stepped aside.
Ben faced his father directly.
Ben:
"I'm asking you again… how dare you say that to Charlotte?"
His father laughed bitterly.
Ben's Father:
"Are you serious right now? You're dating that stupid poor girl."
Ben's fists tightened.
Ben's Father:
"You should be with someone rich. Someone who can give you a powerful life."
Ben's anger was boiling.
Ben:
"Stop it."
He took a deep breath, trying to control himself.
Ben:
"This is none of your business."
His voice became colder.
Ben:
"And this is my last warning… stay away from Charlotte."
His father shook his head.
Ben's Father:
"Loving a poor girl will give you nothing."
Ben closed his eyes for a moment, calming himself.
Then he spoke quietly.
Ben:
"I think I should leave."
He turned around.
Ben:
"If I stay here any longer, it won't be good for you."
But his father's voice stopped him.
Ben's Father:
"You know I'm sick… yet you still dare to talk to me like this? All because of that stupid poor girl."
Ben turned around suddenly.
Ben:
"I said STOP!"
The room fell silent.
Ben's voice trembled with anger.
Ben:
"And yes… I don't care about you or your new wife."
He pointed toward the woman.
Ben:
"I only came here because of my mother."
His eyes were full of bitterness.
Ben:
"Otherwise, I wouldn't even want to see your face."
The room was completely silent.
Ben walked out of the house without looking back.
Later
Ben got into his car and drove back to his apartment.
His phone rang.
It was Charlotte.
He answered.
Charlotte:
"Hi Ben. How are you? I was actually worried… I hope you didn't fight with your father because of me."
Ben leaned back in his seat.
His voice softened.
Ben:
"Don't worry. Everything is fine."
Charlotte sighed in relief.
Charlotte:
"Okay… then I'm glad."
Ben:
"I'll talk to you later. I'm a little tired."
He paused.
Ben:
"I love you."
Charlotte:
"Love you too."
The call ended.
Ben's Past
Ben's parents divorced when he was only 15 years old.
Soon after the divorce, his father married a very wealthy woman.
But Ben never accepted that new family.
His mother, however, never remarried.
She raised Ben alone in Aves and gave him all her love and support.
Ben always lived with his mother and stayed far away from his father.
But recently, his father became very sick.
After Ben finished high school, his mother convinced him to go to Himmer and see his father.
Ben didn't want to go.
But for the sake of his mother, he finally agreed.
His father wanted him to stay in the family mansion with him and his new wife.
Ben refused.
That was why he chose to live alone in a separate apartment.
Ben had just stepped inside his apartment when his phone rang again.
This time, it was his mother.
He quickly answered the call.
Ben:
"Hi, Mom."