It’s been a while since I last shared an excerpt from Waking Up, and I’m excited to continue the journey. If you’ve been following along, we’ve already explored some key moments in Benjamin Michaels’ story:
– In the prologue, we met Ben as he made a life-changing decision to undergo cryogenic preservation, hoping for a better future in a world that was unraveling around him.
– Chapter 1 saw Ben watching the world outside his office, where protests and unrest mirrored the deep turmoil within his own body. He began to question everything he thought he knew about the world he had built.
– Chapter 2 introduced us to a more personal side of Ben, as he prepared to leave his legacy behind. In a reflective moment with his driver, Theobald, and a brief, eye-opening encounter with a beggar, Ben was forced to confront the deeper meaning of wealth, freedom, and success.
Now, I’m excited to share the whole of Chapter 3 with you in this article! This chapter takes us deeper into Ben’s personal life and the emotional dynamics between him and his family, particularly his wife, Priscilla, and his daughter, Bianca. As Ben faces a health crisis, the tension between his legacy and the fleeting moments of connection with his loved ones becomes even more apparent.
But be warned, this chapter ends with a cliffhanger that sets the stage for what’s to come. It’s a pivotal turning point that will leave you wondering what’s next for Ben—and his future. Please enjoy the full chapter 3 here:
Chapter 3. Family and Legacy
When Benjamin Michaels stepped into his mansion, the warmth of the entryway did little to ease the tension in his chest, in spite of the brisk walk he had just finished. Priscilla’s voice called out from the living room. “You’re early.”
Ben walked in to find her perched on the edge of the sofa, a glass of wine in her hand. Her gaze flicked to him, sharp and searching. “You canceled all your appointments again, didn’t you?”
“I needed to think,” he replied, loosening his tie further as he sank into the armchair opposite her. “And I finalized the trust.”
Priscilla’s lips thinned. “The trust. Right. Everything for Bianca. And what about us?”
Ben’s jaw tightened. “It’s for all of us. For the future.”
She shook her head, swirling the wine in her glass. “You’re so obsessed with this future of yours, you’re forgetting the present.”
Before he could respond, the nanny appeared in the doorway with Bianca, clutching a sketchpad. “Dad? Can I show you something before I go to bed?”
Ben’s expression softened as he beckoned her over. She climbed onto the arm of his chair and held up her drawing: a vibrant scene of a city filled with green parks and smiling people.
“It’s beautiful,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Is this the world you’d like to see?”
She nodded eagerly. “It’s for everyone.”
Ben sat on Bianca’s bed, tucking her in as he felt a pang in his chest, sharper than he expected. He had just given her a delicate green pendant, saying softly “Whenever you hold this pendant I’ll be with you, wherever you are”. A sudden dizziness overtook him. The edges of his vision darkened, and he slumped to the floor beside her bed. “Dad?” Bianca called out anxiously.
There was only silence.
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