Chapter 2: I Am No Longer a Bennett
914 Words
Knock. Knock.
I gently knocked on the office door.
"Come in."
Mrs. Harrison's calm voice drifted from inside.
I pushed the door open and stepped in.
The elegant middle-aged woman sat behind her mahogany desk, dressed in a tailored navy suit. Her brown eyes held both warmth and authority, the kind that made even the strongest men lower their heads.
She looked up from the documents in her hands and smiled.
"So, my daughter is finally awake. I was beginning to think you'd sleep through your first day of freedom."
I grinned.
"Was that your way of complimenting me for waking up early?"
Mrs. Harrison chuckled.
"Not at all."
She closed the file in front of her.
"Your apartment has been prepared. Your car is waiting outside, and your new identity has already been arranged."
She leaned back in her chair before adding with a teasing smile,
"Now go out there and gain some real-world experience. And try not to be such a lazy bum."
I laughed.
"Yes, Mom."
Knowing one of her famous hour-long lectures was only seconds away, I quickly slipped out of the office.
No sooner had I closed the door than a familiar voice echoed down the hallway.
"So you're leaving without saying goodbye to your favorite uncle?"
I turned around with a smile.
Uncle Julian.
Mrs. Harrison's right-hand man.
The man who had trained me for the past seven years.
"My favorite uncle?" I raised an eyebrow. "You're awfully confident."
He placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
"I'm heartbroken."
"Really?" I folded my arms. "Then where's my goodbye red envelope?"
The smile on his face froze.
"Oh..."
He suddenly glanced at his watch.
"I just remembered I have something extremely important to do."
Before I could answer, he turned around and disappeared down the hallway at an unbelievable speed.
I burst into laughter.
"Cheapskate."
After saying goodbye to Liana, I walked through the gates of Harrison Mental Care.
A cool breeze brushed against my face, carrying with it the scent of freedom.
A black BMW was already waiting by the roadside.
Before I could reach it—
"Miriam!"
I stopped.
The voice was familiar.
Too familiar.
Turning around, I found a tall young man striding toward me.
Henry Bennett.
My older brother.
His handsome face still carried the same cold arrogance I remembered.
He stopped in front of me.
"Miriam."
His voice softened.
"You're finally out."
He forced a smile.
"Let's go home."
Home?
I stared at him quietly.
Then I met his eyes.
"I don't have a home."
His smile faded.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm no longer the second daughter of the Bennett family."
Silence.
Henry sighed as though dealing with a stubborn child.
"I know you're still angry that we sent you here."
He rubbed his forehead impatiently.
"But you were out of control back then. Mom and Dad had no choice."
I almost laughed.
Seven years.
Seven years in a psychiatric hospital.
And according to him...
They had no choice.
"Henry Bennett."
My voice was calm.
"I'll only say this once."
"I am no longer part of the Bennett family."
"My name is Miriam Harrison."
His brows furrowed.
"Miriam, stop this childish tantrum."
"Come home."
"I don't have the patience to keep playing along."
A tantrum?
So that's what he thought this was.
How amusing.
Just then, the BMW pulled to a stop beside us.
A middle-aged man in a black suit stepped out, bowed respectfully, and opened the rear door.
"Young Miss, my apologies for keeping you waiting."
Henry froze.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Young... Miss?"
Ignoring him, I stepped toward the car.
"Miriam!"
He grabbed my wrist.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"You are nothing without the Bennett family!"
I calmly pulled my hand free.
Without even sparing him another glance, I entered the car.
"Drive."
"Yes, Young Miss."
The BMW pulled away smoothly.
Through the window, I could still hear Henry shouting my name.
But I never looked back.
The Bennett family had expected the same obedient girl they abandoned seven years ago.
Instead...
They had awakened someone they could no longer control.
Inside the Bennett family mansion...
Henry returned alone.
Margaret Bennett slammed her teacup onto the table.
"Where is she?"
Henry lowered his head.
"She refused to come back."
"What?"
Margaret's purple eyes flashed with anger.
"That ungrateful girl!"
Victor Bennett, the head of the Bennett family, remained expressionless.
"Explain everything."
Henry told them everything that had happened outside Harrison Mental Care.
Including the luxury BMW...
And the chauffeur who respectfully addressed Miriam as Young Miss.
Victor narrowed his eyes.
"Find out whose car that was."
His voice was cold.
"It seems she has grown a backbone."
Irene Bennett, dressed in an elegant white dress, bit her lip innocently.
"Dad..."
She spoke hesitantly.
"Do you think Sister... might have been taken in by some wealthy old man?"
"I mean..."
"She has been living in a mental hospital for seven years."
"Who else would spend so much money on her?"
The room fell silent.
Margaret's face darkened.
"I knew that girl would only bring shame to this family."
Victor's expression became even colder.
"Henry."
"Investigate her."
"I don't want her actions damaging the Bennett family's reputation."
"Yes, Father."
As Henry turned to leave, Irene lowered her head to hide the smile forming on her lips.
She believed Miriam was still the helpless girl she had framed seven years ago.
She had no idea...
The game had already changed.
- Writer
