Chapter 140
The voices inside abruptly stopped.
“I was just in the restroom,” Rebekah said quickly.
Mrs. Fletcher ignored her, pushing the door open and dragging her in. “Candice, how is your hand?” she fretted, examining the red skin. “You’re a dancer! What will you do if this scars p>
“I’m fine, Mother. Sampson went to get the best medicine from the doctor. Don’t worry p>
Still fuming, Mrs. Fletcher whirled on Rebekah. “Well? Apologize to your sister p>
From the moment she had entered, Rebekah had felt Benjamin’s scrutinizing gaze on her. She forced herself to remain calm and met her adoptive mother’s glare.
“He already slapped me for it. I’m not apologizing p>
“Rebekah! What did you just say?” Mrs. Fletcher shrieked, looking as if she were about to strike her.
But Candice intervened, gently taking her mother’s arm. “Mother, it’s fine. I’m sure it was an accident. Besides, she’s a Hawthorne now. It’s not your place to discipline her anymore p>
This only enraged Mrs. Fletcher further. “So what if she’s a Hawthorne? We raised her! We can’t even scold her? Rebekah, I’m telling you, you will apologize to Candice today p>
Rebekah had had enough. She turned to leave.
“I will apologize to Candice on Rebekah’s behalf,” Benjamin said suddenly. “Mother, can we please just let this go p>
Both Mrs. Fletcher and Candice were surprised that he would defend Rebekah. Candice looked at him and saw the worry in his eyes. He was clearly trying to gauge how much Rebekah had overheard.
Candice nodded. “We’re all family. It’s fine. Benjamin, why don’t you take my sister to get that scratch on her face looked at p>
Mrs. Fletcher started to protest, but Candice stopped her. Grudgingly, she let Benjamin lead Rebekah away.
After a nurse had treated the scratch, Benjamin spoke in a low voice. “I overreacted earlier, but you shouldn’t have pushed Candice after she tried to defend you. You were in the wrong, too His tone grew stern. He reached out to gently touch her slightly swollen cheek. “You two shouldn’t see each other anymore p>
Rebekah jerked her head away. “You don’t get to decide who I see p>
His fingers paused in mid-air, the soft warmth of her skin still lingering on his fingertips. He brushed it off as another one of her tantrums. He had more important things to worry about.
“How long were you standing outside the room p>
Rebekah was texting Patricia, her reply absent-minded. “What are you talking
about? I came straight from the restroom and Mrs. Fletcher caught me right at the door p>
Benjamin frowned. “*Mrs. Fletcher?*” She had switched titles quickly.
Rebekah didn’t respond.
“Rebekah, I know what you’re thinking,” he said with a scoff. “Now that you have the Hawthornes backing you, you think you can just cut ties with the Fletchers? Don’t forget, they raised you for eighteen years. You owe them p>
Rebekah’s fingers stilled. She looked up at him. “Benjamin, you know e exactly what my life has been like for the past eight years. Even without the Hawthornes, I would have cut ties with them eventually p>