novelxo Chapter 1550
Jamie did love Ben. In this lifetime, she had dreamed of being with him. But life had taught her to face reality first. She couldn't be with Ben again.
Shaking her head, she said, "I won't get back together with Ben. Mrs. Lucas, thank you for no longer standing in our way. But Ben and I have been apart for four years now. I'm not the same Jamie I used to be. Let him keep the version of me he remembers." It didn't matter if Ben hated her. Over time, that hatred would fade, and with it, so would his obsession.
"Why?" Mrs. Lucas pressed. "Do you want Ben to keep hating you? Don't you want Charlie to have a complete family? Or is it because of Winnie? Are you trying to give Ben to her?"
Her words hit like a knife. Jamie had considered that possibility, but she knew it was unrealistic.
She shook her head. "Neither Winnie nor Ben would accept that. I just think that we've been apart for too long."
"But he's never forgotten you," Mrs. Lucas said firmly. "This is all my fault. If you're too afraid to talk to him, then I will."
Now that she had realized her mistake, Mrs. Lucas had only one goal which was to ensure her son's happiness. Sometimes, the only way to untie a knot is with the person who tied it. Ben's heartbreak needed Jamie to heal it.
"Mrs. Lucas, please don't say anything," Jamie protested.
"Don't you see how much Ben cares for you?" Mrs. Lucas asked, her voice sharpening. "When you were sick, he immediately called Caleb. Even though he's kept you here, you've wanted for nothing. And despite knowing Charlie isn't your son, he's been helping you search for him everywhere."
For the first time, Mrs. Lucas fully grasped the depth of her mistake. She took a deep breath and confessed, "Jamie, the moment Ben first saw Charlie, he ordered a paternity test. But... I tampered with it." Jamie's expression remained calm.
She had suspected as much when Ben had angrily questioned her back then. She had known someone wouldn't let him find out the truth. Hearing Mrs. Lucas admit it now felt oddly relieving.
But Ben overheard everything. He couldn't contain his rage.
"Why did you do this? You forced her to take that one million! Then you pressured her to betray me! And you even tampered with the paternity test! Do you have any idea how fragite Charlie was? If I'd known he was my son, I would've brought him to me immediately!"
Ben's voice rose in an uncontrollable shout, shaking with anger.
Mrs. Lucas was overcome with grief. The old saying proved true: the truth always finds a way out.
Ben knew everything now.
Tears filled Mrs. Lucas's eyes. "Ben, I just wanted what was best for you."
She reached out, trying to hold him but Ben shoved her hand away. "You wanted what was best for me? Do you think I've been living well these past few years?
"I've been neither alive nor dead. Just existing.
"If it weren't for my career, for my love of my work, or for the hope of finding Jamie, there wouldn't even be a Ben Lucas in this world anymore!"
His anger boiled over, and Ben suddenly coughed up blood, his face pale.
As he staggered, about to fall, Jamie rushed forward and caught him.