He Asked How to Compensate Me While I Was Dying Chapter 05

He Asked How to Compensate Me While I Was Dying Chapter 05

My parents stood frozen, staring at the flames 

with faces as pale as paper. 

“Arden! My Arden is still in there!” 

Grant’s mind went blank. His arms went slack, and 

Mallory fell hard to the ground. 

He charged toward the fire. “Get her out!” 

His security detail locked both arms around him and dragged him back. 

“General, stop! The buildings are surrounded by 

drums of accelerant. A secondary explosion is 

almost certain. Going inside now would be 

suicide.” 

Grant stared at the inferno, eyes bloodshot, then 

drove his fist into the officer restraining him. 

“That’s impossible. I checked this location before we came. It was an ordinary abandoned housing 

complex. There was no fuel.” 

“But the intelligence we just received says…” 

Mallory stepped between Grant and the officer 

before he could finish. 

She blinked up at Grant with wet, trusting eyes. 

“You don’t actually believe this cheap 

performance, do you?” 

“Arden was the one who had me brought here, so 

of course she planted the accelerant. If she 

genuinely wanted to die, she had eleven earlier 

chances. This explosion is another fake suicide meant to turn you against me and force you to 

prove you care.” 

“I heard her tell the abductor there was a rear exit. She probably left before the blast. If you run inside, you’ll fall into her trap and get yourself 

killed.” 

My parents frowned, then joined her. “Mallory is right. The abductors never used the front entrance, so there must be another way out. Arden has gone too far. When she comes back, have her 

reassigned to a remote Army post. The Whitakers cannot afford another scandal at Fort Blackstone.” 

Grant forced himself to breathe, allowing their explanation to smother the unease inside him. 

“You’re right. Arden loves me more than her own life. She would never willingly die. She’s testing me.” 

He even smiled, and his voice carried indulgent affection. 

“We agreed that after the baby is born, Arden will adopt it legally. Her body was damaged by all those suicide attempts, and this child is the compensation I owe her. After the adoption, I’ll send you abroad. I’ll remain with the Whitakers, exactly where I belong.” 

Mallory smiled in agreement. When she turned away, venom flashed in her eyes. 

Arden Bennett had been burned to ash. Whom did he imagine he would live happily ever after with? 

When the group returned to the Bennett estate, they found the entrance crowded with senior 

command staff in black. 

Reid Lawson, one of Grant’s closest fellow 

officers, approached first and placed a grieving 

hand on his shoulder. 

“I’m sorry. Arden spent her life helping people. 

Whatever comes after this life, I hope it gives her 

peace.” 

Grant’s face went cold. His quiet voice carried the 

authority that made entire rooms fall silent. 

“What did you just say? Who gave you the right to curse my wife?” 

Reid wiped his eyes and held up a black memorial card edged in gold. 

“An hour ago, someone from the Whitaker 

household delivered a death notice. It said Mrs. 

Whitaker died in an explosion. We came to pay our 

respects.” 

“I know you aren’t ready to accept it, but no one 

comes back from the dead. Grant, I am truly 

sorry.” 

Every person gathered at the estate looked at him 

with grief and pity.