Ditching Me for His 'Soulmate'? His Loss. Next Stop: My New Life novel Chapter 36

Chapter 2

Eliza’s body betrayed her, collapsing step by step until she hit the floor with a painful thud.

She lay there, breath ragged and shallow, every breath a sharp stab of agony. The cold floor pressed against her skin, grounding her in the harsh reality of her fall.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed down the stairs. Isolde appeared at the doorway, her face a mask of feigned concern as she approached. “I never meant to break that cup,” she said, her voice dripping with false innocence. “Since you can’t see, maybe you shouldn’t push your luck by trying to help me clean up the glass.”

Eliza weakly lifted her arm, her voice barely a whisper but filled with accusation. “Stop lying.”

Just as Benson was about to enter the room, Isolde quickly grabbed Eliza’s hand and slapped herself hard. With a loud thump, she collapsed beside Eliza, tears welling in her eyes as she sobbed, “It’s my fault. You should’ve hit me. I’m sorry.”

Despite the pain coursing through her, Eliza couldn’t suppress a small, bitter smile. Benson was no fool; he had always been able to see through deception. In the past, he would have thrown out anyone with hidden agendas without hesitation. And with Isolde’s clumsy act, he would see right through her now.

Eliza tried to push herself up, but Benson’s cold, cutting voice stopped her in her tracks. “Eliza, you never learn. Two years ago, you almost killed me. Now you’re playing the same cruel games with Isolde. How can you be so heartless?”

Confusion clouded Eliza’s mind as she turned toward the voice. She had nearly killed him two years ago? But she herself had been on the brink of death in that accident. She had survived, and without hesitation, she had cared for Benson—using her own eyes to help restore his sight. How could that be called malicious?

Benson’s gaze hardened as he looked at the battered woman before him. His hand twitched, reaching out instinctively to help her, but he pulled it back before making contact. Memories of that fateful day two years ago flooded his mind, and forgiveness felt impossible.

His fists clenched tightly as he glared at Eliza. “Apologize to Isolde.”

Eliza’s eyes narrowed in defiance. “Apologize? Why should I?” she challenged, lowering her head and shaking it firmly. “I did nothing wrong.”

Her stubbornness only seemed to fuel Benson’s anger. Without hesitation, he pressed his foot down on her already injured hand, eliciting a sharp cry of pain from her lips.

Suddenly, Lucky, her loyal service dog, burst into the room from outside, lunging at Benson with unexpected ferocity.

Taken aback, Benson stumbled backward, surprised by the usually calm dog’s aggression. “You’re just like your owner,” he sneered angrily. “Ungrateful little beast!”

Lucky planted himself firmly in front of Eliza, muscles tense and low growls rumbling from his throat, ready to defend her at any cost.

Just as exhaustion finally claimed her, her phone rang sharply, yanking her from sleep.

She grabbed it, swiped to answer, and heard Benson’s commanding tone. “Get to Nightshade Bar in five minutes.”

She was about to refuse when the call abruptly cut off.

Clutching the phone tightly, Eliza forced a bitter smile. She wanted to resist, to refuse, but where could a blind woman go?

For two years, she had been trapped within Moore’s, dependent on Benson’s support.

If not for her past connection to Mr. Valdez, she would have had no chance to escape.

But thankfully, freedom was only six days away.