28.

AMBER'S POV. Vincent was breathing heavily after he arrived at a VVIP hospitalization room.   Vincent stopped walking with his gaze fixed on someone on the hospital bed. There were already his parents, as well as a very familiar husband and wife, then a man sitting on the sofa near the hospital bed.   "Vincent," called Kathrine, Vincent's mother. She had an agitated look on her face. "You've come."   Vincent ignored Kathrine's greeting and the stares from everyone in the room. Then Vincent immediately stepped closer to the hospital bed.   "Oh my," Vincent commented after an unexpected look, "what did you just do, Bella?"   On the hospital bed, Bella's face looked both pale and sad. Bella didn't say anything. But her glance at Vincent, as well as a brief flash of anger, made it clear that she was hurting.   Bella was silent for a split second. The atmosphere in the room became very calm, but also tense. The situation between Bella and Benny was uncomfortable for both of their parents.   "You... I heard you were getting married," Bella said in a soft, hoarse voice. Her hand slowly moved to take Vincent's hand.   "Why did you marry another woman when... you know..." Bella's words stopped briefly because she took a deep breath. After exhaling slowly, Bella continued, "You know that I love you, Vincent."   Kathrine and Gerald - Vincent's parents - both grimaced unpleasantly. They couldn't make any comment on Bella's words. Actually, they knew that Bella loved Benny for a long time. But it turned out that there was a request from Benny's grandfather that had been carried out without the knowledge of the two of them.   Finally, Kathrine and Gerald could not avoid Benny's marriage plan with Asleena, the daughter of the owner of Hudge Group Company. Although they had guessed that it would hurt Bella.   "Why are you still doing the wedding? Did you... lie about loving me?" Bella asked again. Her voice was hoarse. A few hours ago, Bella almost overdosed on a dangerous liquid. Luckily, her parents saw her and quickly took her to the hospital.   Benny did not speak for a moment. He looked at Bella's hand on his wrist.   "Bella. Loving you is not the same as loving you," Benny replied without taking his eyes off Bella's hand on his wrist.   Instantly Benny's memory was drawn to the moment where Asleena also held her wrist. Benny remembered Asleena's annoyed yet sad gaze that didn't want him to leave.   After remembering that, Benny didn't even like it when Bella touched his hand. Benny slowly moved Bella's hand away from her wrist, then gave a small smile.   "You're still doing the same thing over and over again," Benny replied, now looking at Bella with a look of disbelief in his eyes.   Bella smiled wryly after seeing Benny remove her hand. "That's why..." she paused. "Why can't you still love me too? We've been together since childhood."   Over time Benny felt uncomfortable engaging in conversations like this in front of their parents. Moreover, Bella's parents and sister seemed to pity Bella. If Benny said something that could hurt, they would definitely defend Bella.   Then the good relationship between their families would be fractured.   Benny really takes care of that.   Before replying to Bella's words, Benny looked at his parents and Bella's parents.   "Can you wait outside the room? I feel uncomfortable seeing you here," Benny said, not losing his politeness.   Luckily, both his parents and Bella's parents agreed to Benny's request. They all glanced at each other, then nodded their heads.   "Alright. We'll let you guys have a comfortable space to talk." That's what Waston, Bella's father, said.   Soon the hospital room became quiet after everyone left. Except for Benny and Bella who stared at each other. At that moment, Benny could very well read the pain in Bella's eyes.   "There are many things that cannot be forced," Benny said. Slowly his body leaned slightly towards Bella, one hand moved towards Bella's forehead to give a stroke. "Since we've been together since childhood, I don't want to ruin the good relationship of friendship between-"   "Nonsense, Benny," said Bella who looked away, laughing sarcastically. "You always say that excuse. When, if you want to, you can."   "But I don't want to," Benny replied without hesitation.   Benny, who knew that Bella did not want to be touched, straightened his body. He did not want to lean too much on Bella, let alone pet her.   "I don't want to do that," Benny said giving affirmation once again.   Benny's words made Bella look at him incredulously. The atmosphere between them became silent for a moment.   "I knew it," Bella replied. "No wonder you agreed to the wedding. I never knew you were close to another woman. Who will you marry?"   Benny didn't want to tell. Since he understood Bella's character, it was not the right time to tell her about Asleena.   "You'll find out later." Benny didn't realize that he was protecting Asleena for the first time.