Chapter 158
While she was alone, Rebekah had managed to compose herself. When Jensen returned, he found her looking much more relaxed.
“Why didn’t you tell me I was meeting Mr. And Mrs. Hawthorne?” she whispered as he sat down. “I thought it was your boss, Faye p>
“I thought you knew,” Jensen said, then offered a comforting smile. “Don’t worry. This Mr. Hawthorne and his wife are very easygoing. You don’t have to be nervous p>
“It’s not that. We’ll probably never see each other again, so it just seems strange. I’m an imposter. Why would a man as busy as him actually take the time to meet with me p>
A small smile played on Jensen’s lips. *He* was the one who was busy day and night. His father, the “old” Mr. Hawthorne, was at an age where he and his wife did little more than travel the world. Jensen was the one running the entire Hawthorne empire.
“Maybe he was just curious,” he suggested. “Curious about who would dare to impersonate his daughter p>
Rebekah pursed her lips and said no more.
When Sylvia returned, she immediately launched back into a warm conversation. “Faye told us you plan to announce that you’re not a Hawthorne tomorrow. Why p>
“Well Rebekah considered her words carefully. “Mrs. Hawthorne, first, I must apologize for all the trouble my impersonation has caused you p>
“Trouble? What trouble? You’re so beautiful, I’d be thrilled if you were really my daughter!” Sylvia said, then glanced at Jensen and saw his face darken again. Right. If Rebekah became her daughter, she couldn’t be with her son. That would be… awkward.
“It’s because of my husband’s family,” Rebekah explained honestly. “I’m an orphan, and they wanted to use my new identity to connect with a powerful family like yours and save their company p>
“I’m announcing the truth tomorrow to force my husband to agree to a divorce p>
Sylvia frowned, beginning to understand. “But won’t that put you in a very difficult position p>
“Compared to getting my freedom, a little difficulty is nothing.” Rebekah didn’t want to discuss the details with a stranger but since Sylvia v one of the people she had inadvertently used, she felt she owed her an explanation.
She quickly changed the subject during a pause in the conversation. “I’ve told Faye I owe your family a debt I won’t forget. If I can ever repay you, I will find a way p>
Sylvia smiled gently. “Don’t be so serious, dear.” She glanced at Jensen, a twinkle in her eye. “As for repaying debts… we can talk about that later. For now, let’s eat p>
After that, the tension seemed to lift. For the rest of the meal, Sylvia chatted with Rebekah about everything under the sun. Despite being a generation older, she had a natural rapport with young people.
After lunch, Sylvia insisted that Jensen drive Rebekah home. Once they were
gone, she pulled out her phone and called Faye.
“Faye, let’s meet. We need to talk about tomorrow p>
After finishing up a fan event, Rory returned to his dressing room. Without even taking off his makeup, he grabbed his phone to check his messages. There were plenty of notifications, but not a single one was from the person he was hoping to hear from.
He tossed the phone aside, disappointed. Ever since he’d exchanged.numbers with his little sister, he’d been eagerly waiting for hertoreach out Shed said she was his biggest fan. Wouldn’t a tan send at least a simple ‘hello’ after getting their idol’s number?