THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 316: What Are You Afraid of?

Randy interrupted, his tone sharp with accusation. "Like what? Enlighten me, Killian. Because right now, it looks like you actually overstepped your bounds."

"Of course, things like psychological trauma, guilt...." Killian’s eyes suddenly widened in disbelief as he trailed off.

What?!" he exclaimed. "Don’t tell me you think...?

Killian’s temper flared, his voice rising in exasperation. "Spare me some slacks, man, I’m not that fickle to condescend so low as to step beyond the bounds of morality."

"You know me better than that. I may be tough, but I’m not heartless. I always follow the rules."

Randy’s eyes narrowed skeptically. "But you never can tell what your men might have done in your absence."

Killian’s frustration boiled over, and he gestured emphatically. "I don’t raise rapists and I can vouch for each and everyone of them. They were personally recruited and trained by me."

A tense silence settled between them as Randy considered Killian’s words, his expression softening slightly.

"I hope for your sake that’s true, Killian. But if I find out otherwise, I won’t be able to help you."

"I have nothing to fear. You can do whatever you want to get the truth, I won’t stop you nor interfere in your investigations."

"You said it yourself," Randy said. "I’m heading to the hospital now. Wanna come?"

Killian shook his head."I don’t think it’s a good idea, but I’ll be waiting to hear from you."

As Killian strolled out of his office, Randy couldn’t help but stare at his straight back.

"You believe so much in your men, I hope you are not slapped in the face when the truth comes out, Killian."

At the hospital, Rhoda still sat beside Benita, but this time she was finally composed and was stroking her daughter’s hands tenderly.

"How do you feel, sweetheart?"

"I’m fine, mom. I’m sorry for what I did earlier," Benita said softly, darting a glance at her father who was silently observing the interaction between them.

"But why would you take such a drastic step, my dear? Did you really not want to see me again? You know I can’t live without you?"

"I’m sorry, mom. I was just too ashamed."

"Ashamed of what? It’s true that what you did was wrong and people will definitely talk, but you didn’t mean to actually kill someone, right? You only wanted to threaten them," Rhoda said.

Hearing her mother’s words a tight knot formed in Benita’s throat and a lone tear suddenly slid down her face. It goes to say that only her mother understood her character the most.

Even without saying anything, she already knew her intentions that she never wanted to kill that woman and least of all her beloved Steffan.

"I know, mom, but I wasn’t ashamed of what people would say," she corrected, causing a thick line to appear between Rhoda’s brows

"Is there something you’re not telling me?"

"Talk to us, your parents. We are here to help you," Ivan coaxed gently when Benita did not respond.

Benita hesitated and darted a shy look in her father’s direction. Rhoda caught on to the hint and guessed her daughter wanted to only speak with her.

"Ivan, dear. Can you help us get some fruits from the store downstairs? I saw one when I went to get food for Benita before. It’s about fifteen minutes walking distance from the hospital gate."

Ivan looked over and frowned when he saw Benita turn her face to the wall. He could easily give his assistant a call to get them some fruits and there was no need for him to go himself. But he was no fool, and understood when he was being asked to leave. Why be so dramatic when she could just ask him to excuse them?

He wondered what Benita wanted to talk about that she didn’t want him to hear. He will still find out anyway, thus, didn’t mind giving them all the time they needed.

"Are you sure fifteen minutes will be okay for you? He asked before closing the door.

Rhoda’s face flushed red with embarrassment when he knew her husband had caught her out.

"Humph!" she snorted. Did he need to make it that obvious?

As Soon as they were alone, she turned to her daughter.

"What is it that you are ashamed of dear? Talk to Mummy." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Benuta refused to meet her mother’s worry filled eyes as she bit her lips.

Since she regained consciousness after she was brought in before the suicide attempt, she had never spoken about anything to anybody. Even when the doctors asked her, she refused to say anything and planned to keep it that way.

But her mother’s words just now, broke down that resolve.

"It’s fine if you still don’t feel like talking about it just yet. I understand and will wait until you are ready, dear. Now rest and don’t put any pressure on yourself."

Although Rhoda seemed to be showing her understanding by her words, inwardly, she wished her daughter could open up so that she can get help as soon as possible.

What pushed her to want to commit suicide before can still resurface it it is not dealt with. She couldn’t bring herself to think about it and shut her eyes tightly.

"Mom,"

Rhoda felt a hand on her arm and opened her eyes. Her eyes locked with Benita’s and when she saw the pain in those eyes, she understood her daughter’s struggles.

She wanted to say something but, Benita beat her to it.

"When I was taken from the church by some men. I thought it was the police, but when I was brought to a strange place that didn’t look like the police station, I knew something was wrong.

"I received the worst torture of my life and never thought I would be able to come out alive."

I lost count of the days as every moment seemed to be the same. There was no light filtering through for me to know when it was daytime or when it was night. Only a dim light was placed in the room where I was held captive.

"I begged them to no avail but they wouldn’t let me go. Even when I told them that the gun I carried had no bullet and I just wanted to threaten Steffan and the woman her wanted to marry with it."

"What?" Rhoda’s eyes widened in disbelief. "How can there be no bullet in the gun when it clearly shot someone?"

Rhoda lifted her hands to touch Benita’s head. "Are you feeling alright? Do you feel any pain in your head?" She asked, touching every part of Benita’s head.

Benita sighed helplessly. Sure, it was difficult for anyone to believe her, including her mother.

"I’m fine mom, I’m not hallucinating neither has anything happened to my memory," she said weakly.

"You mean you carried an empty gun to the church? How did the bullet suddenly get inside?"

"That’s what I don’t know and can’t explain. I guess that was also why those people didn’t believe me and kept torturing me," she continued.

"I fainted several times from the torture but was rudely woken up time and again.

"Then," Benita suddenly stopped, unable to bring herself to narrate any further as her breath caught in her throat.

All of a sudden, she began to tremble as if she was back in that place.

"Then what, my dear?" Rhoda urged, afraid to hear what her daughter was unable to say.

She feared that was the part that made her want to commit suicide.