Heaven

Chapter - 3 Watching the sunset

As the court adjourned, the sound of shuffling papers and murmured conversations filled the room. Benjamin pressed his hands hard against the table, gritting his teeth. "Goddamn it," he muttered under his breath. Rachael had completely dominated the hearing this time, securing more plaintiffs and pushing the case into a class-action lawsuit. It was a crushing blow.

Rachael Avery, with her signature confidence, strode over to where Benjamin and Aaron were still seated. "Truth always triumphs, Ben," she said with a slight smile. "Luckily, the court’s given us enough time to prepare for the next hearing."

Benjamin clenched his jaw, his frustration simmering. "Next time won’t be like this, Avery," he bit out, trying to keep his composure.

Rachael’s smile softened into genuine concern as she asked, " Forgst about that , How’s Alie doing, Ben?"

Benjamin exhaled, the weight of his daughter’s illness momentarily pushing aside the court’s pressures. "She’s hanging in there," he said quietly. "The chemo’s really taking its toll, but... she’s fighting."

Rachael nodded sympathetically before walking away, leaving Benjamin standing in a cloud of unease. He and Aaron gathered their things, moving to leave the courthouse when they spotted Striker—Malcolm Forbes’ hulking bodyguard—waiting for them by the door.

"Mr. Forbes would like a word," Striker said, his voice deep and impassive. He led them to Forbes’ sleek Mercedes Maybach parked at the curb.

Inside the car, Forbes sat with a martini in hand, the scent of expensive cologne lingering in the air. His piercing eyes scanned Benjamin and Aaron as they took their seats across from him.

"Benjamin," Forbes began, swirling the martini casually. "You’ve been sloppy lately. I told you loss in this case would cripple us the shareholders want results,i want results. The settlement alone could set us back by millions, not to mention the damage control that will follow."

Benjamin opened his mouth to respond, but Forbes cut him off, his voice cold and sharp. "I understand your daughter’s condition is weighing on you." The mention of Alie stung, cutting Benjamin to his core. "But that’s why I think Aaron should handle the bulk of the case for now. You need to focus on your family for now."

"Malcolm, I—" Benjamin began, but his words faltered.

Forbes held up a hand. "Aaron has gained enough experience under your wing. You can oversee things while you get yourself together."

Benjamin nodded stiffly, feeling a mix of disappointment and helplessness. He glanced down at his watch. When he looked up again, the world around him had shifted.

Suddenly, he was no longer in the car but sitting beside Alicent’s hospital bed. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled his nostrils, and the steady beep of monitors hummed softly in the background. Alie, once so vibrant and full of energy, now looked frail and pale, her body shrunken from the effects of chemotherapy. The sight of his beautiful little girl reduced to this state broke something inside him.

"Daddy, you fell asleep again," Alie’s voice, soft and weak, pulled Benjamin out of his fog.

He blinked, rubbing his tired eyes. "I’m sorry, sweetheart. It’s just… the job. Everything’s so..." He trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

Alie, ever the optimist, gave him a small, brave smile. "Do you remember the painting I made for that competition?"

"The sunset?" Benjamin asked, his throat tightening.

"Yeah," Alie nodded. "When I get better, I want to paint it again. But this time, with you, Mom, and me in it. We’ll be watching the sunset together."