Chapter 193

Half an hour later.

A taxi arrived.

‘Look, Susan, we can hail a cab,” Ben remarked, For the first time in his life, Ben was genuinely grateful for the existence of ride–hailing services!

What a marvelous innovation–it was truly splendid.

He considered investing in it.

Susan gave him a glance, her smile not quite reaching her eyes, “Really? That’s amazing!”

Ben was elated.

Susan, when not amnesiac, would never speak to him with such admiration.

As for her rigid expression, Ben convinced himself she must be feeling shy!

Once in the taxi, Ben shared the address of the house with the driver.

That address…

Ben had paused when he first saw it.

His memory was excellent, and this location was right across from Theresa’s apartment.

He was worried it might give them away.

“But with time pressing and no chance to find another house quickly.

Plus, Theresa owns several properties and she may not live in that one,” he reassured himself.

Susan’s eyelids twitched as she realized they were across from Theresa’s place.

But with her memory gone, she didn’t know anything, so she remained silent.

Amid this unspoken, strange atmosphere, the car stopped outside the apartment complex.

“This is where we live, Susan,” Ben said tenderly, “Through our joint efforts, we’ve managed the down payment, and now, we are working together to pay off the mortgage.”

Susan responded w a noncommittal, “Oh.”

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“Anyway, as long as we keep striving, our life will surely get better and better,” Ben continued.

Susan again simply replied, “Oh.”

“Come on, let me take you home,” Ben said, reaching for Susan’s hand.

She dodged slightly, eyes downcast, “Although… you are my husband, I don’t remember anything right now.”

Ben’s gaze dimmed for a moment before he softly responded, “Alright, we’ll take it slow.”

Ben did not attempt to take Susan’s hand again but instead stepped half a pace ahead, cautiously leading the way.

As they were about to reach the elevator of the complex, Ben felt a twitch in his eyelid.

It was as if his fears had come to life!

Theresa was there waiting for the elevator too!

If she started spouting nonsense and blew his cover…

“Susan, I just remembered, I have something I didn’t buy yet. Let’s head to the supermarket first,” Ben said, turning to leave with Susan.

Susan, with a smile brimming on her face, looked at him. “There’s no rush, I would like to see our home first.”

“We really should… Ben tried to continue persuading.

But Theresa heard the movement, turned around, and caught sight of Susan.

A flicker of surprise shone in her eyes, “Susan! You’re back!”

Ben was speechless.

F There was no avoiding it now.

He resigned himself and led Susan over.

Susan blinked, slightly confused, “Hello, who are you…?”

Theresa paused, reaching out to gently touch Susan’s forehead, “Susan, what’s wrong? It’s.Theresa.”

Ben discreetly brushed Theresa’s hand away, then said, “Susan had an accident, and now, she’s lost her memory.”

Theresa was stunned.

Lost… memory?

A What kind of bizarre twist was this Ben turned to Susan and introduced, “Susan, this is Theresa, our neighbor across the hall. You and she are quite good friends”

Theresa was speechless.

A neighbor across the hall? Why didn’t she know this?!

Theresa wanted to say something, but Ben gave her a stern, warning glare Theresa,” Yes, we are neighbors across the hall Susan laughed, “Oh, so you’re the neighbor! Theresa, I’ve lost my memory by accident, so please remind me about things”

“Sure,” Theresa replied awkwardly.

Susan’s return was undoubtedly wonderful news But Theresa couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off Soon after, the elevator arrived The three of them, each with their own thoughts, entered the elevator.

Soon, they arrived at their floor “Let’s go home so you can take a look, Susan, Ben said.

“Okay.” Susan replied Suddenly, with a smile, she added. “Theresa, would you like to come in and sit with us? I felt a connection with you as soon as I saw you“.

Theresa glanced cautiously at Ben, who continued to give her warning looks.

Theresa raised an eyebrow in defiance She thought, “Humph‘

So what if he’s wealthy What’s with the sideways glances Ben was clearly up to something, and Theresa was determined to see how this would unfold “Sure, I’d love to visit your home. Theresa said with a smile Ben was speechless.

Theresa brushed past him, laughing and talking as she entered the apartment with Susan.

The secretary had done a good job.

The living room and bedroom of the apartment were adorned with wedding photos of the couple. There were doubles of various items, Susan’s in a soft, pinkish hue, Ben’s in a cooler tone. Together, their belongings created a harmonious blend.

After touring the apartment, they sat down on the sofa to have coffee.

Susan glanced at Ben, “It seems we really do live here?”

“Of course,” Ben affirmed calmly.

Theresa looked on curiously, “You two live here?”

“Yes,” Susan nodded: “We’ve worked hard to pay the down payment, and now we’re working on the mortgage.”

Theresa was in the midst of sipping her coffee when she heard this. She choked suddenly, coughing violently.

“Are you okay, Theresa?” Susan quickly patted her on the back.

“I’m fine, I’m fine, Theresa said repeatedly.

Ben narrowed his eyes and slowly added, “I’m glad you’re okay. Miss Austin, we’ve just come back and have a lot to do. Maybe you should head back to your place…”

, don’t worry:

intention of leaving..

1. me. Tell me what you need, I’m here to help,” Theresa said cheerily, clearly showing no Ben’s face darkened instantly.

With Susan there, Theresa wasn’t intimidated by Ben in the slightest.

She looked at Susan with curiosity, “Paying off a mortgage must be hard work for you two.”

Susan nodded, “It should be. We can’t help it, we’re not wealthy.”

Theresa couldn’t help but glance at Ben.

Poor?

How could Ben, the big tycoon, have the audacity to deceive such an innocent soul?

Ben gave her an impassive look.

90% 09:58 Theresa cleared her throat subtly, “Maybe I can help you clean up?”

“No need, Miss Austin, you should…” Ben began.

“Oh yes, thank you, Theresa,” Susan quickly accepted the offer.

Ben had to swallow the rest of his objections.

The three of them started cleaning together.

Theresa and Susan began tidying up with brisk movements, while Ben stared at the cloth in his hand, motionless.

Even though he had grown up uncherished and without parental affection, household chores were something he’d never touched, thanks to the presence of servants.

“What’s the matter? Don’t know how?” Theresa asked with a look of surprise. “Don’t tell me, all the housework was done by Susan alone before?”

Susan also turned her gaze to Ben.

Ben took a deep breath and said slowly, “How could that be? Susan works so hard at her job. Of course, I’m the one who does the housework.”

“Really? That’s so kind of you, Susan admired him with her gaze.

Ben felt a warm rush in his heart and said steadily, “You two rest, I’ll take care of the cleaning.”

some ‘Alright, Susan, let’s go have some coffee,” Theresa unceremoniously took Susan to the sofa.

Ben was speechless.

He regretted it a bit.

F Why had he instructed the secretary to make it look like the apartment hadn’t been lived in for days?

Cleaning was completely outside his skill set, and to make matters worse, Susan was watching him with admiration.

Ben, the tycoon, had no choice but to bite the bullet and get busy with the cloth, Surprisingly, his learning ability was commendable.

Although he started off a bit clumsy, he soon got the hang of it.

Meanwhile, Theresa, who seemed to have conjured up a bag of chips from nowhere, shared them with Susan, smiling merrity.

The two of them stacked on chips, chatted away, and watched Ben Bustling about the epitome of leisure After some one nothing the vent on Bens forshead, but fell a twings of pity and stood up, I should help out”

theresa couldn’t testet pulling en back, her even moving like a crafty little fee, What’s the matter, fasting sorry ha ham even with ant at was taken aback she quickly danced at Hen, who was engrossed in his cleaning, and breathed a sigh of diet Rebind and *

Theteen Whitepered sico’t I just don’t know how in Inen him, so I pretended to have whispered She whist back what you plan for the dumme?”

Nutt by a meat and sat Tust want to know it he really thought about giving up on me during ast puzzled, Wowww ask that dayth Thew looked pustest.

www shed such a dilemma and frowned, “Then what do you want to do?”

Se costicted The stared at a gving up too the wasnt saving attention to them, she whispered, “theresa, you don’t know. Lovebant are him an ultimatum. He had to choose between divorcing me or MP Metated the saxt het consider it for three days”

chst assut whether Ben values you or money more?”

Theresa rolled her eyes, unable to help herself, “In my opinion, you’re just creating problems for yourself.”

Susan was taken aback, “Maybe I am overthinking it… perhaps I should just come clean.”

Otherwise, she’d be acting, Ben would be acting, and who knows how long this charade would go on.

Theresa’s eyes twinkled, and she said softly, “If you come clean now, you’ll never get your answer, Susan. You might be conflicted for life. Actually, it’s simple if you want to know the answer.”

“Yes?” Susan looked at her expectantly.

Theresa nodded towards Ben, “He’s already set the stage for you. He’s pretending to be poor, right?

Just see how long he can keep up the act. If he can live with you, just like this, an ordinary life, what do you think? Does he value money more, or you?”

Susan’s gaze flickered as she caught on to Theresa’s meaning.

They had struggled to use all their savings for the down payment.

Now, every month was a struggle with the mortgage.

This was the persona Ben had crafted for himself.

But he was accustomed to a life of luxury. Maintaining such a facade for a day or two might be easy, but what about for a month or two?

If he could maintain this level of ordinary life with her indefinitely, wouldn’t that prove that he wasn’t attached to wealth?

Theresa watched Susan’s thoughtful expression and couldn’t help but sip her coffee with a smile.

As a neighbor, she felt her days ahead would be anything but dull.

This couple, one pretending to be poor, the other feigning amnesia.

A perfect match indeed.