Bennie stood in the hallway, keys trembling in her hand. The apartment was too quiet—no cartoons blaring, no little feet running around. Just the hum of the refrigerator and the far-off whisper of traffic outside the balcony windows. She felt guilty of something. She didn't know what exactly to feel guilty for. Leaving her husband and kids to have fun with a man. Or the fact she had already kissed Brian severally and was lying to her husband.
Peter was in the kitchen having some shots with Jay. The moment he saw her, his face hardened.
"You came back," he said, flatly.
Bennie set her bag down. "Of course I did. It's my home."
"Hey Ben," Jay said with a low voice.
She just waved a hand at him and co tinged her business.
Peter leaned on the counter, arms crossed. "We should've talked before you made a show of yourself in a billionaire's arms. Before our kids got humiliated at school."
Her jaw clenched. "Don't turn this around on me, Peter. I'm not asking for your blessing. I just want to rest. I'm tired, I've been busy ."
"You kissed him, Ben. You let the world watch you belong to another man."
She stepped forward. "I'm not property, Peter. I don't belong to anyone. And I certainly don't care about what the world has to say about me."
His hands balled into fists. "So this is your solution? Embarrass your family? Confuse the hell out of our kids?"
"What are you even talking about Pete? Please please give me a break. Don't be a broke and nagging husband altogether choose one."
Silence. Then Peter turned away, his voice low and bitter. "So you're choosing him."
Bennie closed her eyes. "I'm choosing me."
He let out a choked laugh. "Unbelievable."
"You're just a heartless woman who can't even bear a little if not for her husband or her kids." He continued
"Ten years Pete. Ten fucking years I bore all this shit because I loved you and for our baby Des, then came San and Annie, you wanted all these kids even though we couldn't afford to. We were just young adults and now you blame this all on me. What a coward".
Tears ran down Peter's cheeks and he raised his hand to slap Ben but couldn't so he went to the wall and hit it multiple times while yelling. Jay held him trying to stop him.
The kids were gathered together watching their parents argue .
Without another word, Bennie walked past him into the bedroom. She opened the closet and pulled out her suitcase, tossing in clothes, shoes, and essentials. Her hands shook, but her resolve didn't waver.
Minutes later, she stepped out, duffel slung over her shoulder. She placed an envelope on the dining table.
"What's that?"
"A Lot of money. It is worth more than 6 months' rent, food, everything. It's from the bonus Brian gave me. It's not hush money—it's for the kids. You should have gotten a little money from whatever you're doing by then."
Peter stared at the envelope, then at her. "You're really doing this."
Tears welled in her eyes. She turned toward the hallway—and found Desmond and Anna standing there, pajama-clad, wide-eyed. Sandra ran to her and held her. "Mom please nooo— please don't."
Anna burst into tears. "Mommy, no!"
Bennie knelt and gathered her in a tight embrace. "Sweetheart, I'm not leaving you. I'll always be your mommy. I just... I can't stay here right now."
Desmond's lips trembled, but he didn't cry. Just watched her with a mixture of pain and confusion.
"I'll call every day," she promised, brushing their cheeks. "And you can come see me. Whenever you want."
Anna clung to her like a lifeline, but eventually Peter came forward and picked her up. Bennie gave her kids one last kiss on the forehead, then opened the door.
And walked out.
Bennie arrived at Bih's place an hour later, mascara streaked down her cheeks, the ache in her chest sharp and bottomless.
Bih opened the door and didn't ask questions. She just pulled her into a long hug. "Room's ready. You stay as long as you need."
That night, Bennie curled up on the futon in Bih's spare room, staring at the ceiling while tears soaked her pillow.
She had made her choice. Now she had to live with it.
Peter didn't sleep that night. He sat on the couch, surrounded by silence and the ghosts of what had been. The kids had finally drifted off after crying themselves into exhaustion. Jay had comforted him a little and left.
He stared at the envelope. Opened it. Thick stacks of bills. Her handwriting on the inside flap: For the kids. Always.
He sobbed.
The next morning, still hollow and aching, Peter made a call.
"Chloe? It's me."
"Pete? What's wrong?"
He didn't sugarcoat it. "Bennie left. I... I need help."
By afternoon, Chloe arrived, heels clicking against the tiles, her long trench coat billowing behind her like a cape. She didn't offer pity—just action.
"I'll pick the kids up from school. I'll cook. I'll stay for a while," she said briskly. "But you need to get it together."
Peter nodded. He didn't have strength to argue.
The next day, the sun dipped behind gray clouds. Peter was in the backyard raking leaves. Chloe was on a call inside. Desmond was doing homework. Sandra was reading novels in her room.
No one noticed when Anna slipped out the front gate.
The little girl wandered down the street in her blue sweater and pink shoes, clutching her stuffed bunny. She was looking for her mom.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Ashley Pascal had just finished her classes for the day. She was heading home, earbuds in, backpack slung over her shoulder. She saw the small figure near the bakery and blinked.
"Anna?"
Ashley pulled her earbuds out and jogged toward her. "Sweetheart, what are you doing out here? Where's your mom?"
Anna sniffled. She opened her mouth but couldn't say anything.
Ashley crouched and gently wiped the child's tears with a soft handkerchief she carried in her tote and handed it to her.
"You scared a lot of people, baby," she said softly.
She saw a little tag on her doll with Peter's number. He had put his numbers on all her dolls in case she ever wandered away.
She texted Peter the address, then stayed with Anna until he arrived, breathless and panicked.
He rushed to her. "Anna! Thank God."
He scooped her into his arms. "Never do that again, okay? I was so scared."
Ashley stood, brushing her jeans. "She's safe now. I found her wandering near Smith Avenue."
Peter barely looked at her. "Thanks."
He turned away, already walking.
Ashley stood there looking at him with her face twisted. " What a rude man huh. Whatever"
She watched them go, heart pinching. Then turned and walked home alone.
That evening, Bennie was pacing in Bih's kitchen when her phone rang. Peter's name flashed on the screen.
She hesitated.
Then picked up. "Peter?"
His voice was tired, frayed. "Anna went missing today."
Her breath caught. "What?! Is she okay?"
"She's fine. Someone found her. She wandered off, looking for you."
Bennie's knees gave out, and she sat at the kitchen table. Her heart pounded. "Oh my God..."
"I thought you should know."
A long silence stretched.
Then he added, voice low: "She misses you. They all do."
"I miss them too."
"Maybe this isn't the way. Maybe you can come by this weekend. See them. Just them. No talk about us."
Bennie's eyes burned. "Okay. I will."
That night, Bih found Bennie sitting on the rooftop garden, blanket over her lap, coffee in hand.
"You okay, girl?"
Bennie nodded slowly. "Yes girl."
And for now, that was enough.
The next morning Chlo woke the kids up for school and everyone gave the usual " Good morning aunt." But Anna said nothing. " Annie won't you greet aunty?" But Anna just gave a slide side eye and went unconscious. He called Peter and he rushed with Anna to the hospital in his arms. She was given an IV drip and she became conscious again but still couldn't talk. She kept crying but no voice came out, Peter was so shocked he couldn't even feel himself.
The doctor returned with the results. She was suffering from a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which made her unable to speak again. He recommended therapy for Anna. His knees gave out immediately as he sobbed on the floor.
He called Bennie and asked her to rush to the hospital hoping that if Anna saw her mother she'll get better and Bennie said she was on her way. That was when Chloe rushed to the hospital. Thompson airlines is opening a branch for Aero-parts abroad and apparently Brian was going there alongside Bennie.
They were on their way to the airport already.
Peter immediately rushed for the air
port. He saw Brian head for the boarding pass with Bennie and as tears ran down his cheeks, he ran for the last hope and only person who could help his daughter speak again.