Benson

Chapter 271: The Ruse

Yvonne barely ate a few bites of her meal, her mind still preoccupied with Benson’s condition. Feeling heavy–hearted, she hurried back to the hospital.

When she entered the hospital room, she saw Benson propped up against his pillow, his head wrapped in bandages, looking weak.

However, the moment he saw Yvonne, a broad smile instantly spread across his face, as if her presence alone could erase all his pain.

Yvonne was taken aback, her heart filled with a swirl of complex emotions. She couldn’t help but recall their unpleasant conversation that morning.

Back then, Benson had stood tall, coldly spitting out hurtful words: “You don’t love me, and I don’t love you. There will always be someone who loves me–don’t think you’re the only one.”

His dismissive attitude had felt like a sharp needle pricking her heart.

And now, the same man was smiling warmly at her, as if those harsh words had never been spoken.

Seeing her standing still, Benson frowned slightly and said with dissatisfaction, “Why are you standing so far away? Come here.”

His words snapped Yvonne back to reality, and she was a bit surprised. “What’s going on with you?”

She hesitated but eventually walked closer to the bed, inwardly questioning whether he had forgotten about their divorce that very morning.

As soon as she approached, Benson, despite his pain, reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist. Like a wounded child, he buried his head against her, his bandaged forehead resting lightly on her chest.

“Wife, I’m hurt. Why didn’t you come to see me?”

Yvonne was stunned, her expression turning complicated as she looked down at Benson. “What did you just call me?”

“Wife, of course. You’re my wife,” Benson said, as if it were the most natural thing in

the world.

Yvonne’s emotions grew even more tangled, and she couldn’t help but remind him, ” Benson, we’re divorced.“.

म.

His face froze, and the smile vanished.

A look of confusion and surprise crossed his handsome features.

“No, you told me you had mustered up the courage to give me another chance, sol could make things right,” he said, trying to hook his arm around her neck, his be filled with hope. “You even kissed me. Don’t you remember?”

Hearing this, Yvonne fett a lump in her throat, her eyes growing warm with unsted tears. Her mind flashed back to that New Year’s Eve when she indeed had said she would give him a chance to prove himself.

She hadn’t expected Benson to remember iso clearly and to hold onto that memo so dearly.

Benson continued, “Mom said we got divorced. She was wing to me wasn’t she? She’s never liked me, so she lied, right?”

Yvonne’s emotions grew more conflicted. She sighed softly and said gently, “Don’t talk anymore, okay?”

At her words, Benson immediately fell silent, obediently leaning back against the bed, a docile smile on his face that tugged at her heartstrings

Yvonne couldn’t help but glance at Matthew, who was standing nearby. He gave her a look and pointed to his head, indicating that something was wrong with Benson’s memory.

Yvonne walked out of the room, her face serious, and quietly asked Matthew, “Is he faking it?”

Matthew quickly shook his head. “No, really, I’m on your side, sister–in–law. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Mom and Dad.

Just then, Dr. Arthur approached.

“There’s a blood clot in Benson’s brain, which has caused temporary memory confusion. The risks of brain surgery are too high, so we recommend conservative treatment for now to see if he recovers on his own.”

Hearing Arthur’s explanation, Yvonne finally believed it.

However, instead of feeling relieved, she felt even more burdened by the news of Benson’s condition.

Standing in the hospital corridor, she was filled with a deep sense of helplessness and bitterness.

The divorce had already happened, and now this situation left her at a loss, Why, when she had decided to let go, did this unexpected accident throw everything into

chaos?

Yvonne’s emotions were in turmoil, her inner conflict preventing her from finding

peace.

She spoke softly to Arthur, “I’m going to leave for now. I need some time to think.”

Arthur understood how she felt and gently patted her shoulder, nodding.

“Go ahead, Yvonne. You need space.”

The Taylor family knew Yvonne was in a difficult position. They didn’t want to quilt her into making any decisions she didn’t want to make, especially not returning to Benson just because of his accident.

Their marriage had ended. It wasn’t right for her to feel obligated to return and pretend everything was fine just because Benson had been in an accident.

With heavy steps, Yvonne left the hospital, her mind filled with images of Benson’s behavior after his injury.

It all left her feeling disoriented and unsure of what to do.

In the hospital room, Benson waited anxiously for Yvonne to return. But as time passed, his anxiety grew.

He frowned deeply, unable to help asking, “What’s wrong with her? Why did she leave again? Does she not want to see me?”

The doctor tried to calm him, “You need to stay calm. Emotional swings won’t help your recovery.”

Arthur spoke softly, “She went home to get some clothes. Don’t worry.”

Hearing this, Benson seemed to relax a bit. “Oh, okay then.”

But as night fell and Yvonne still hadn’t returned, Benson’s unease only deepened.

Arthur stayed in the room with him, and after turning off the lights, the room was filled with nothing but the sound of shallow breathing and the occasional drip of water.

Just when Arthur thought Benson had fallen asleep, Benson suddenly broke the silence.

“I want to go for a walk in the corridor. My legs are stiff.”

Arthur responded immediately, “Okay, I’ll go with you.”

But Benson shook his head and waved him off. “No need. I’ll just walk by myself. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Arthur was a bit uneasy but, seeing Benson’s determination, didn’t push the issue.

“Alright, but don’t go too far. Call me if you need anything.”

That night, Yvonne lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Benson’s image kept replaying in her mind, and the turmoil inside her kept her from finding peace.

Finally, just as she was drifting off, Susan suddenly knocked on her door, startling her awake.

“Yvonne, you should go outside. Security just called and said there’s a man sitting outside our gate claiming to be your husband.”

Yvonne jolted upright, her heart racing. “What? How could he be here?”

She quickly got dressed and rushed to the security office of her complex. When she pushed open the door, she was stunned by what she saw.

Benson was sitting on a chair, dressed in hospital clothes, with his head wrapped in bandages. His face was pale, and he looked weak.

The night’s chill seeped through the thin fabric of his hospital gown, and the security guard, feeling sorry for him, had draped a coat over his shoulders.

But even so, he was still shivering, looking exceptionally haggard.

When he saw her enter, Benson managed a smile, but it was tinged with

helplessness and vulnerability.

“What’s going on with you? Why did you leave the hospital and come here?” Yvonne demanded.

The security guard explained, “He followed someone in. When we were doing our rounds, we found him just standing outside, not coming in. I thought he was lost.”

Yvonne felt a pang of sorrow. She turned to Benson, anger rising within her.

“Benson, do you realize what condition you’re in? Why are you being so reckless with your health?”

Benson lowered his eyes. “Yvonne, I just wanted you to feel sorry for me.”

Yvonne was taken aback, then glared at him. “Don’t talk like that!”

“If I don’t talk like this, you won’t pay attention to me. So I did it on purpose. I came

Chapter

here on purpose, played the sympathy card, to make you care.”