All’s Fair In Love and War

I didn’t feel cold anymore, but an icy chill still ran through me. I never imagined Benjamin could hate me this much. If he saw my body now, he’d probably feel satisfied.

Like a ghost, I followed him, drifting behind as he entered his study. He didn’t immediately sit down at his desk to work. Instead, he stared at the table momentarily before making a call.

“Drop some supplies in the forest,” he ordered. “I don’t want her being dumb enough to starve to death and have people blame me for it.”

I almost laughed out loud. For a second, I thought he might pity me a little, but it turned out he was just covering his own back, avoiding responsibility.

Once that task was handled, Benjamin looked a little more at ease. However, suddenly, the study door opened, and Emma stood in the doorway.

“Benjamin,” she said softly. “I haven’t seen Lisa since I got back. What’s going on with her?”

Benjamin shook his head. “Don’t worry about her. She stood in the way of your treatment. I couldn’t let that go unpunished, so I taught her a lesson. She’ll be back soon.”

Emma hesitated. “Alright, but I’m a little worried about her.”

Benjamin pulled her into his arms, reassuring her gently. “You’re too kind, Emma. That’s why someone like Lisa could take advantage of you and be so cruel.”

…

Emma’s recovery was supposed to be a reason for celebration, a moment of pure joy. To mark the occasion, Benjamin decided to auction off part of his private collection and donate the proceeds to charity. Naturally, that drew a large crowd.

At the charity gala, Emma looked stunning in a black mermaid gown, with Benjamin by her side in a matching black suit. They looked like the perfect couple, flawless and inseparable.

Everyone, however, knew Benjamin was married to me. The crowd froze for a moment, exchanging puzzled glances, but no one dared say a word.

From the shadows, I saw my parents in the crowd. Dressed in their finest, they were all smiles, accepting congratulations from the guests. It seemed they couldn’t care less about me, lost deep in the forest.

Ever since Emma returned, all the love and attention they once gave me had shifted to her. I couldn’t really blame them. I had enjoyed the title of the only child for years. It made sense that they would want to make things right for Emma after all she had suffered. Still, I never imagined they cared so little about me that they didn’t even ask about me.

I watched as my parents approached Benjamin and Emma.

My mother, Andrea Tony, took Benjamin’s hand, her eyes brimming with tears. “Benjamin, you must take care of our Emma. She’s been through so much.”

It was absurd. Anyone who didn’t know better might think it was their daughter’s wedding day.

Benjamin nodded, accepting her plea. “Don’t worry, I’ll look after Emma. As for Lisa, after I’ve given her the lesson she needs, I’ll let her out.”

My parents exchanged a strange glance before my father, Xavier Tony, spoke up hesitantly. “Benjamin, there’s something we haven’t told you. The truth is, Lisa’s had her heart set on someone else for a while now... and that person isn’t you.”

I stood frozen, shocked by what I was hearing.

Why would they say that? They knew I had fallen for Benjamin the moment I met him in college. How could they claim there was someone else?

“When you were away with Emma, treating her illness this past year, Lisa went on several dates with this man,” my father continued. “As her parents, we couldn’t lie to you. We had to tell you the truth.”

Benjamin’s fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles white with fury. His eyes blazed as he looked at my parents.

“Are you saying Lisa cheated on me?”