C354 This Was A Mistake

Alicia laughed. "Come on, guys. When would I have had time to make plans? I only found out about the training at the same time as all of you." Everyone laughed. She continued, "If there's anything specific you're eager to learn, just tell me. I'll speak to the coaches and see if they can add it to your training." Laura quickly shook her head. "No, we'll just follow whatever plan they come up with." I nodded. "That's probably for the best."

After a brief pause, I looked around at everyone on the call. "Did anyone notice being followed today?" Sarah answered first. "No. I didn't see anyone." Samantha smiled. "I came back late, so if anyone was following me, I didn't notice." The conversation continued for a few more minutes before everyone said their goodbyes. Soon the video call ended. Alicia and I went back into the study. I focused on setting up my new computer while Alicia buried herself in the books that had belonged to her mother.

For a little while, neither of us thought about the Harris family. Neither of us thought about training. Neither of us thought about war. The room was peaceful. After finishing the setup, the computer finally came to life. The screen lit up. I smiled proudly. "Wife, I'm done." Alicia looked up from her book and stretched. "Good." She closed the book. "Let's go to sleep." I nodded. Soon we headed to bed. Meanwhile... At the Wood Residence. Samantha lay awake in her room. No matter how hard she tried, sleep refused to come. She stared at the ceiling. Then sighed. "Faith..." She rolled onto her side. "What have you done to me?" She touched her lips unconsciously. "Now I can't even sleep."

The memory of the kiss returned again. She closed her eyes. "Your lips were so soft..." A moment later she shook her head. "No." She sat up. "I've been alone for years." Her voice softened. "What she did reminded me that I'm still human." She lowered her gaze. "I still have feelings." The room became silent again. Then she looked at the silver ring on her finger. Her expression changed. "But I'm married." She looked toward the door. "My husband..." For a moment she thought about Ben. About everything that had happened between them. About the distance they had created. She whispered softly, "He must have been feeling this way."

Another thought surfaced. "Am I doing the right thing?" Her heart felt conflicted. "Have I made things harder for him?" Without giving herself time to think any further, she stood up. She walked toward the door. Ben was still awake. Papers and renovation plans were spread across his desk. He was busy calculating expenses when his bedroom door suddenly opened. He looked up. Then froze. Samantha stood there. For a moment neither of them spoke. The atmosphere instantly became tense. She slowly walked closer. Without saying a single word, she leaned forward and kissed him. Ben froze. Completely caught off guard.

The silence between them disappeared. Ben pulled her closer and carried her toward the bed. A little while later... Samantha finally sat up. The room was quiet except for the sound of their breathing. She quickly gathered her clothes and began dressing. Ben remained lying on the bed, watching her. "Aren't you sleeping here tonight?" Samantha's face immediately turned red. "Monica is alone in my room." Ben raised an eyebrow. "She's asleep." "That doesn't matter." "It does matter," Samantha replied immediately.

Ben laughed softly. "You've left her sleeping to come here." "Now you don't want to stay for a night?" Samantha glared at him. She opened her mouth but couldn't find the words. Ben's smile widened. "That's what I thought." She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. "Stop smiling." Ben caught it easily. "I didn't say anything." "Your face is saying enough." That only made him laugh harder. Samantha folded her arms. "This is exactly why I get annoyed with you." "And yet you're still here." "Ben!" "Alright, alright." He raised both hands in surrender.

Only then did Samantha continue dressing. When she reached the door, she suddenly stopped. Her expression slowly became serious again. She turned around. "This doesn't mean I've forgiven you." Ben nodded calmly. "I know." "And it doesn't change our agreement." "I know." "What happened before still hurt me." Her voice softened. "And what happened tonight..." She paused. "...was a mistake." Ben looked at her quietly for a few seconds. Then he laughed softly. "Of course it was." Samantha narrowed her eyes. "Why do I feel like you're making fun of me?" "I'm not." "You are." "I'm not." "You are." Ben chuckled. "Fine. Maybe a little."

Samantha shook her head helplessly. "You're impossible." "And yet you keep talking to me." She pointed a finger at him. "Don't get used to this." "Too late." Samantha rolled her eyes. Satisfied that she had at least said what she needed to say, she finally turned around and walked out. The door closed behind her. For several moments, Ben stared at it. Then he shook his head. A smile slowly appeared on his face. "What is wrong with that woman?" He laughed quietly to himself. "She acts like she regrets everything five minutes after doing it." He leaned back against the pillow. "Has she forgotten that we're actually married?"

The thought made him laugh again. After a while, he shook his head. "Whatever." He reached over and switched off the light. Soon, he fell asleep. Back in her own room... Samantha quietly closed the door. Then suddenly smiled. "Faith..." She sat on the edge of her bed. "This is all your fault." Her fingers unconsciously touched her lips. The memory of Faith's kiss flashed through her mind again, causing her heart to race. But almost immediately, another memory followed. She remembered herself walking into Ben's room. She remembered the loneliness, the confusion, and how she had acted without thinking.

A look of regret appeared on her face. "What was I doing?" She lowered her head. "I spent years telling myself that I didn't love him." Her voice became softer. "And now I've only made everything more complicated." Samantha let out a long sigh. She didn't know whether she was more confused about Faith or more guilty about what had happened with Ben. Carefully, she lay down beside Monica and pulled the blanket over herself. Before closing her eyes, she whispered softly, "I really made a mess of things." A few minutes later, Samantha finally fell asleep.

The next morning... The Wood Residence was already busy. Everyone slowly came downstairs for breakfast. Sarah immediately noticed something unusual. She looked around. Then frowned. "Where's Sam?" "Is she still sleeping?" Ben almost choked on his drink. Kelvin smiled. "The maid said she left early." Sarah stopped walking. "What?" Even Ben looked surprised. "How is that possible?" Sarah immediately turned toward him suspiciously. "Why are you worried about Samantha all of a sudden?"

Ben answered calmly. "She's my investor." He paused. "And my wife." Sarah nearly choked. Ben continued casually. "Shouldn't I be concerned?" Sarah stared at him for a few seconds. Then shook her head. "Whatever." She quickly grabbed her things. "Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad." As she walked out of the house, confusion filled her thoughts. Why would Samantha leave without me? It had never happened before.