Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Now, Rebekah was almost numb to the pain.
Candice giggled and pointed to the door. “I was just picking them up p>
Shawn and Benjamin walked in.
Shawn ran to his grandfather, a bright smile on his face. “Grandpa, happy birthday p>
“Excellent, excellent.” The anger on her
adoptive father’s face vanished, replaced by a wide grin. He pulled Shawn close, looking him over with pride.
Rebekah
sat on the sofa, an invisible wall separating her from the happy family. They were
a perfect picture of familial bliss. Her own son, her own
husband, and yet she was the
outsider. A profound numbness settled over her. She
had thought Benjamin wouldn’t come, but it turned out he just didn’t want to come with her.
Shawn presented his gift with a flourish. “This is from me, Grandpa. Aunt Candice helped me pick it out p>
Her adoptive father’s
stern demeanor melted away. He beamed, ruffling Shawn’s hair. “Our Shawn is so charming. Good thing you don’t take after your mother p>
Shawn puffed out his chest. “Mom’s not very smart. I’m glad I inherited Dad’s intelligence.” He paused, then added seriously, “And Aunt Candice helped too p>
Aunt Candice taught him how to be a man, how to fight for what he wanted. Now, if any
of the kids at
kindergarten bothered him, he knew how to hit back. No one dared to mess with him anymore.
Candice stuck out her tongue and glanced at Rebekah. “Kids just say whatever
they think. You don’t mind, do you, Sis p>
Rebekah gave a sarcastic smile. “Of course not. I know I’m not very smart p>
She was a fool for ever believing their lies.
Georgiana’s face hardened. “Alright, let’s go to the dining room.” She turned to Candice, her expression softening as she playfully tapped her nose. had the cook make your favorite roast pork.” Then, she shot disdainful look at Rebekah, her tone like she was addressing a beggar. “You can come too p>
Rebekah’s expression was wooden. She had
tried to maintain a semblance of peace with the Fletchers. But if this was how they were going to treat
her, then she was done trying. Before she left, she would sever all ties
with them completely.
Benjamin watched the Fletchers’
cold treatment of his wife, his brow furrowing. Rebekah looked up, here expression impassive. When their eyes met, a sudden emptiness gripped him, and his frown O deepened. Why was she still being so stubborn? Why didn’t she just ask for his help? If she had just shown ẫ little humility, he might have forgiven her.
“You’re being too difficult,” Benjamin said, his features sharp
and cold. He took a step toward her and held out his hand. “This is why your parents are always upset with you. You’re too stubborn p>
Rebekah looked up at him, a sarcastic glint in her eyes. “Is that what you think p>
He had seen how the Fletchers
how
treated her all these years. He knew the pain she endured. But he had never taken her side, always telling her toust put up with it. Perhaps he had enjoyed bringing her back to the Fletcher mansion because it gave him an excuse to see Candice.
She slapped his hand away and limped to the dining room. “I don’t need your
pity. You should save your concern for Candice p>
At the dining table, the Fletchers doted on Candice.
Suddenly, a new voice cut in. “What’s this? Starting without me p>