Chapter 84: How Did They Treat You?
Previously, Benjamin had never paid much attention to these matters because he
believed that as long as he was there, no one would dare to bully Martina. But recent
events made him gradually realize that there were many things that didn’t align with his
imagination.
The days that Martina had spent with him didn’t seem happy, otherwise, she wouldn’t
have been willing to abandon everything and leave his side.
Seeing that she remained silent, Benjamin thought she was unwilling to speak, so he tried again with a coaxing tone, “I just want to understand your past better. If you don’t want to talk about it, then forget it.”
Martina, who used to be sleepless over such matters, suddenly found herself wide awake. In the past, she would have swallowed her pride and kept everything to herself, not wanting to worry Benjamin and affect his mood.
But now, things were different. She reflected on everything she had done and couldn’t help but feel like the biggest fool.
Why did she silently do so much for Benjamin, only to end up hiding everything like a fool? Was the love she had given so shameful that it couldn’t be seen by anyone?
With this thought in mind, Martina spoke in a calm tone but delivered particularly impactful words, “There was nothing in the past. Anyway, in their eyes, I have always been. an ignorant woman who overestimates myself. Whether it’s your family, your friends, or even the servants in your household, they all look down on me in the same way.”
For example, the butler, the cleaning servants, and all sorts of people. They never truly cared about Martina, nor did they consider her as Benjamin’s true girlfriend. All they felt was disgust and jealousy, just as Martina had said, with the same attitude towards her..
heart.
If Martina appeared calm now, it would only stir up storms and turbulence in Benjamin’s
He had never imagined that Martina’s past days had been so miserable, and it seemed that he was the cause of such misery.
“I used to think that if I just endured a little longer, waited for your return, everything would be fine,” Martina gazed out the window and said. But the harsh reality has shown me that my endurance only fuels certain individuals to become even more relentless. They never truly regarded me.”
After a brief pause, Martina turned around and called out, “Benjamin.”
Benjamin lifted his gaze, his eyes meeting Martina’s with a direct and unwavering stare.
Martina’s lips curved into a faint smile as she said, “You are responsible for all of this,
right?”
She had to admit that without Benjamin, her life wouldn’t have been as comfortable as it was in the past few years, but she wouldn’t have had to endure such immense pressure
either.
She wouldn’t have been subject to mockery and abuse from anyone and everyone.
If it weren’t for Benjamin’s indifference towards her, how could others dare to treat her with such disdain? She still remembered the day she left Benjamin’s home, and Adam didn’t. hesitate to slap her. Adam’s resorting to physical violence against Benjamin’s girlfriend was a clear indication of how insignificant she was in the eyes of everyone. She had long been aware of this fact.
The last sentence hit Benjamin like an endless blow, as if no matter what he did, he couldn’t heal the pain in Martina’s heart.
All the past hurts were indeed caused by his presence.
However, back then, he truly didn’t understand. He never thought that Martina’s life had been so harsh and difficult.
Benjamin moved his lips but could only utter in a low voice, “I won’t let it happen again, I promise.”
Martina found it absurd. Did promises truly hold any weight? If promises had any real impact, then what purpose did law enforcement serve?
She wasn’t the same person she was a few years ago. She wouldn’t impulsively and foolishly believe every word Benjamin said.
She lowered her head, looking at her fair fingers, feeling a slight unease.
She didn’t want to pay attention to whatever Benjamin said. She just wanted to immerse herself in her own world.
–
Maybe this was the true essence of her love fading away to be replaced by nothing. but indifference.
Martina’s pretty face was filled with a deep sorrow, something even a child could notice. Being together with Benjamin didn’t make Martina happy anymore.
She would never again willingly throw herself into Benjamin’s embrace and ask for cuddles like she used to.
She wouldn’t repeatedly express her love to Benjamin in his ear, nor would she look at him with those eyes that could only hold him, as she always did.
Time and time again, Martina gave up everything for Benjamin, even if it meant imprisoning herself in a world that didn’t belong to her, she did so willingly.
But the previous Martina would never appear again.
Benjamin brought Martina home, and he specifically asked Leslie to continue staying at
home to ensure Martina’s safety.
Guarding against Elizabeth was also Leslie’s work.
Benjamin was not a fool. He didn’t pay attention before, so he didn’t know, but now he
could clearly see that Elizabeth doesn’t like Martina.
Despite being unsure of why Elizabeth disliked her, he still hoped that Martina could find happiness and live free from any restrictions or influence.
The household servants in the family were completely unreliable, and Benjamin didn’t trust them at all. That’s why he could only let Leslie continue staying at home.
However, Benjamin’s actions only further confused Martina.
In Martina’s eyes, it was just Benjamin cleverly using the excuse of protecting her safety, but in reality, it was to guard against herself and keep her under surveillance.
Actually, Martina didn’t want to say much now. If Benjamin was fine with others watching her, what did it have to do with her? She just wanted to live her own life peacefully.
As Benjamin left and went upstairs with his laptop in hand, Martina planned to make good use of her free time at home and continue working. Even if she couldn’t go out freely, at least her work, drawing, and such were not affected.
At this point, Martina had not yet managed to evoke genuine disgust from Benjamin, especially considering his chauvinistic tendencies. That was precisely why she didn’t want to leave.
However, she held the belief that if she continued to behave improperly, it wouldn’t be long before Benjamin would inevitably develop an intense disgust towards her.
During that period, Martina needed to ensure that she had enough confidence to make a smooth departure instead of feeling completely empty once she left Benjamin.
Benjamin believed that Martina had already abandoned the idea of leaving and just wanted him to treat her as well as possible.
Little did he know that beneath it all, Martina was still contemplating
