Chapter 19
Chapter 19
If Rebekah hadn’t sacrificed her career for her family, if her legs hadn’t been ruined, Candice’s name wouldn’t even be on that stage.
Georgiana let out a cold, derisive snort. “Don’t listen to her. She’s all talk. She could never compare to you, Candice p>
“That’s right, Aunt Candice is the best dancer,” Shawn chirped. “My mom is just a housewife. I’ve never even seen her dance.” He blinked up at his grandfather. “Was she really that good p>
“She got lucky once when she was young. In a real competition now, she wouldn’t stand a chance against Candice,” her adoptive father said, patting his head.
Rebekah’s fingers tightened into a fist, her nails digging into her palms. She had worn out countless pairs of ballet shoes, her toes bleeding from the constant practice. They had seen her hard work, and yet they dismissed it as luck.
She looked up, her gaze cold, and she saw them for what they were.
“If I were so lucky, my legs wouldn’t be ruined,” she said after a moment, a humorless smile on her lips. She turned to Benjamin. “Right, Benjamin p>
A flicker of guilt crossed Benjamin’s face. His lips thinned into a hard line. He frowned, his displeasure evident. “Rebekah, you’re being too sensitive. Candice was just asking for your help. None of us could have predicted what would happen to you p>
Looking at his hypocritical face, Rebekah wanted to laugh. The Fletcher mansion was a den of wolves, and every moment she spent here made her feel sick.
She pushed herself up from the table. “I’ve lost my appetite p>
Georgiana’s face contorted with rage. “You’ve gotten bold, haven’t you? Showing your parents such disrespect! We may not have given you life, but we raised you p>
Candice chimed in. “You really shouldn’t take it so personally, Sis. Can’t we all just live happily together? Why do you have to be so difficult? I can’t believe you’re still like this! Before you went to prison, you pushed me into the water, and I didn’t even tell Mom! I thought three months in jail would have taught you a lesson p>
Rebekah frowned. She had barely had any contact with Candice before her imprisonment.
17.07
Chapter 19
“When did I ever push you?” she asked coldly, but was cut off by Benjamin. “Enough p>
Benjamin’s expression was hard, his dark eyes unreadable. He set his fork down on his plate with a sharp clatter.
He spoke slowly, his voice laced with authority. “Rebekah, apologize to your mother and Candice p>
Rebekah felt like she couldn’t breathe. She pressed her lips together and said nothing.
“You’re the one who’s wrong,” Shawn said. “You’re just a wicked old witch. You don’t deserve to be my mom p>
A heavy silence fell over the dining room.
Rebekah looked from one face to another, and her anger finally gave way to a cold, bitter laugh. “Why should I p>
She swept her cutlery off the table and stormed out.
Behind her, Georgiana’s angry shouts filled the air, the dining room dissolving into chaos. Rebekah felt a strange sense of release. For years, she had tiptoed around them, trying so desperately to please them, only to be treated like this. And the husband she had shared a bed with, the son she had given birth to, couldn’t even say a single word in her defense.
She was done with this family.
She pushed open the main door, and a cold wind whipped around her. She felt free.
She heard footsteps behind her, and suddenly, a hand clamped down on her wrist-