Chapter 2 Breaking Up

Sierra wiped away her tears, retouched her makeup, and pushed open the restroom door. When she stepped out, the first thing she saw was Benson and Sophie, arms linked, clinking glasses in a toast. "Ha ha. Benson, if you're gonna put on a show, go all the way! Why not head to the honeymoon suite after this?" "Man, Benson's got it all—a classy, elegant wife and a cute, flirty little assistant!" Sierra's heart twisted painfully as her gaze fell on their intertwined arms. This was the man she had loved for ten years… Someone caught sight of Sierra returning and nudged Benson, their voice dropping to a whisper. "Benson, that's enough. Sierra's back." "Sierra, they're just joking around and trying to lighten the mood. Don't—" But Benson didn't even let them finish before cutting in sharply. "I'm not putting up with her tantrums!" Then he turned to face Sierra fully, raising an eyebrow as though daring her to react. "If you don't like what you're seeing, then leave. Stop standing there ruining my mood." Sierra forced herself to breathe past the stinging ache building in her nose, her eyes locking onto Benson's. "Benson, we're breaking up." Her words hung in the air, slicing through the room like a blade. The chatter ceased instantly. Did they hear her right? Sierra had just broken up with Benson? Benson froze. Then, with an incredulous laugh, he flicked away his cigarette butt. "You're serious? Don't come crying to me later when you change your mind and want me back." "Sierra, I'm so sorry. Mr. Gray was only keeping me company for my birthday because I didn't have any friends. Please don't let this affect your relationship with him. "If you're mad, you can slap me a few times, but please, I'm begging you, don't break up with Mr. Gray." Sophie stepped forward, grabbing Sierra's hand with trembling fingers. Her face was painted with a pitiful, helpless expression. Slap! The sound echoed through the room as Sierra's palm connected with Sophie's cheek. Sophie froze, completely stunned that Sierra had actually hit her. A sharp sting radiated across her cheek, and she realized her carefully applied makeup was probably ruined. "Sierra, are you crazy?" Benson, equally shocked by Sierra's actions, stood frozen for a moment. Then, snapping out of it, he raised his voice and stormed forward. He shoved Sierra hard, pulling Sophie behind him to shield her protectively. Sierra stumbled back from the force of the push, colliding with the edge of the coffee table. Her arm caught the blade of the fruit knife lying there, and a thin, sharp cut appeared. Blood began to flow almost immediately. Benson's eyes darted to the blood, and for a brief moment, his expression shifted. He instinctively stepped toward Sierra as if to help her. But before he could move further, Sophie clutched his arm tightly. "Mr. Gray, this is all my fault. Please don't be mad at Sierra. I'm willing to take a few slaps if it means she won't be upset anymore." Benson's gaze shifted to Sophie's red, swollen cheek, and whatever guilt he'd felt toward Sierra dissolved in an instant. Anger and disgust replaced it. "Look at you, so cruel and vicious. You don't have even a shred of the kindness that Sophie has. Right now, you're going to apologize to her." His voice was firm and biting, but all of it was in defense of another woman. Sierra closed her eyes, forcing back the tears threatening to spill. The pain in her arm from the cut was nothing compared to the ache in her heart. For years, she had been chasing after Benson, believing that one day he would turn around and truly see her. But the boy who had once risked his life, charging into a fire to save her, no longer existed. And her? She was tired. She didn't want to chase him anymore. Sierra opened her eyes and slowly stood. The blood from her arm had seeped into the delicate fabric of her white dress, staining it a vivid red. Her face was pale, but her expression was cold and resolute. She looked Benson directly in the eye and said, "I won't apologize. She asked for it." Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked toward the door. Her steps were firm, her back straight, her departure decisive and final. "Benson, I don't think Sierra looked too good. She's bleeding a lot. What if something happens to her?" someone said after a long moment of silence. "She's not going to die," Benson replied irritably, frowning as frustration flickered across his face. "Do you think she's really going to break up with you this time? How are you going to explain it to your family if she does?" The Shaw family and the Gray family had been close for generations. Everyone knew the two families had an understanding about Sierra and Benson being together. Benson let out a scoff and lit a cigarette. "She won't. She's just throwing a tantrum. Leave her alone for a few days, and she'll fix herself up and come back to me."