Chapter 139: Is It Because of My Mother?
William's eyelid twitched as he looked at the photo in the attachment.
Benjamin gazed at Sophia so tenderly, as if he wanted to pour all his love onto her.
He rubbed between his brows, feeling a string tighten in his heart.
William took out the new medication the doctor prescribed from his drawer. The bitter taste instantly brought him back to his senses.
Seeing that William hadn't replied to his message, Michael felt puzzled and distressed. Could it be that William hadn't seen the photo?
Emily really liked Benjamin, who looked as pretty as a flower when he smiled. Meeting his eyes, she couldn't help but smile at him.
"Mister, pretty."
There was no negative meaning in Emily's words - she genuinely thought Benjamin was good-looking.
Touching the two little pigtails on her head, Emily pointed at Benjamin's hair that was casually half-tied at the back.
She said to him with a grin, "I have two."
Benjamin looked at Emily warmly and said, "You're pretty too."
Praised, Emily's eyes curved like crescent moons as she smiled and started eating seriously with her head down.
Seeing James peel shrimp for Emily, Michael followed suit and tried peeling shrimp too.
His movements were a bit clumsy, but he loved seeing Emily's happy smile because of it - it gave him a great sense of satisfaction.
Though in the end only a tiny bit of shrimp meat remained, for Michael who had never had to do anything since childhood, this was already great progress.
"You two eat your own food; Emily can't eat that much."
Sophia peeled two shrimp for both James and Michael, rewarding them while also telling them to eat their own food first.
They were both only six years old, yet they wanted to give everything to Emily - this was a scene she couldn't have imagined on that reunion day in Rain Village.
James and Michael would also put food on Sophia's plate, but Emily, sitting in her children's chair, couldn't reach to do the same for her.
So she would say from time to time, "Mommy, eat more."
Sophia's eyes were full of motherly love.
Benjamin's gaze became unfocused for a moment before Emily called him back to his senses.
The vegetables Emily liked to eat happened to be on Benjamin's side. She reached out and tugged at his sleeve, saying, "Mister, vegetables."
Benjamin paused, then used the tongs to put vegetables on her plate.
Emily politely said thank you, then lowered her head to continue eating seriously, her cheeks puffed out adorably.
Benjamin suddenly remembered that summer vacation after graduating from ninth grade.
The first time he saw Sophia.
That day, after playing basketball with friends, he walked into the living room and immediately saw a girl sitting quietly on the sofa - beautiful features, thin body, making him wonder if she ever ate properly.
For the next three years.
What he did most often was watch her eat.
Later, watching Sophia's cheeks gradually fill out, no longer looking malnourished and frail, he felt happier than anyone.
Benjamin raised his eyes and said, "Emily eats just like you."
Sophia's hand paused slightly as she picked up food.
She pretended nothing was wrong and continued putting food on James and Michael's plates, then placed the egg custard that wasn't so hot anymore in front of Emily.
Emily had finished the food in her bowl.
She skillfully picked up her spoon and started eating her favorite egg custard.
Today's meeting was truly just an accident.
Benjamin had originally been here to meet a friend, but the friend had something come up at the last minute and couldn't make it. He had planned to eat here alone, but while admiring the scenery in the hallway, he heard Sophia's voice.
And then, there was this... meal he invited himself to.
He wasn't very hungry, but seeing Emily eat so happily, he couldn't help eating more, too.
When Michael happily handed over his card to pay the bill, he learned that Benjamin had already settled it in advance.
He lowered his head in disappointment, then looked up at her and said, "Mommy, then I'll treat you all to dinner next time."
Sophia hadn't planned to let the child pay for her meal anyway, but seeing Michael's expression, she smiled and nodded, saying Okay.
After the meal, Benjamin offered to drive them back.
However, Sophia declined.
"The driver's at the door."
With the children around, Benjamin couldn't say what was in his heart to Sophia, and the doubts he'd held for so long couldn't get answers.
"Can I see you again?"
Benjamin asked gently, his eyes full of reluctance, "I have a lot I want to say to you."
Sophia glanced at him, "Wait here for a moment."
She placed Emily in the car seat, then said to James and Michael, "James, Michael, you and Emily wait in the car for Mommy. Mommy needs to say a few words to Mr. Franklin."
The children obediently listened.
Sophia came before Benjamin, standing a few feet away from him, her eyes calm as she said, "...Go ahead."
Benjamin looked at her eyes tenderly, tracing her delicate features bit by bit. His every gesture revealed a deep caring that made people unconsciously relax.
Benjamin asked, "Have you been well these years?"
She nodded and said, "Pretty well."
His tenderness was like a breeze that made people feel incredibly comfortable and at ease, but Sophia didn't want to become attached to the warmth someone gave her again.
She looked at him with a cold expression and asked, "Anything else you want to ask? If not, I'll head back now."
Countless words gathered in his heart, but Benjamin suddenly didn't know where to start.
It was almost the children's bedtime, and Sophia didn't want to waste too much time here.
"Benjamin, we haven't seen each other in over ten years. Many things can't be summed up with just 'good' or 'not good.'"
"Look, I already have three children. They're my greatest happiness right now, and I sincerely hope you can find your own happiness soon, too."
Before leaving, Sophia gave him a polite smile.
"The Franklin family helped me. If there's anything you need my help with in the future, you can contact my assistant."
She handed him a business card, directly pulling the distance between herself and the Franklin family, between herself and him, to a very distant place.
Benjamin didn't take Amelia's card, murmuring, "Why not give me your card?"
In fact, Sophia really didn't have her own business card.
After all, most work matters were handled by Amelia, and her surgery schedule with other senior colleagues was all arranged according to the lab's timeline and procedures.
Coming from Benjamin's mouth, these words somehow carried a hint of aggrieved accusation.
Sophia didn't explain, placing the card aside and saying flatly, "Whether you need it or not is up to you."
Since she chose to walk out of the Franklin family's complicated circle back then, she wouldn't step back in.
Under the night sky, Sophia turned and left.
In a simple, elegant dress, the hem swaying gently with her unhurried steps, she walked forward steadily and peacefully.
Sophia didn't hesitate at all, didn't look back even once.
Before she got in the car, Benjamin suddenly caught up.
His voice was somewhat hoarse from restraint and suppression. Mindful of the children in the car, he lowered his voice and asked her, "Is it because of my mother?"
"Sophia, what exactly did my mother say to you back then?"
"Why did you suddenly change?"