Chapter 47
Benjamin’s face went cold. “Don’t be ridiculous.” He had never considered divorcing Rebekah.
Seeing his father’s stern look, Shawn’s lower lip trembled.
Benjamin sighed, realizing his tone had been too harsh. He knelt to face his son, his voice softening. “No matter what, she is still your mother. She can’t dance or practice medicine anymore. If we divorce, how would she survive? What do you expect a disabled person like her to do p>
“But Dad, don’t you like Aunt Candice p>
“Of course I do,” Benjamin answered instantly. “But now is not the right time p>
Rebekah stood on the landing, having heard their entire exchange. She had been on her way to the kitchen to prepare some soup for Old Mr. Forrester, but their conversation had stopped her in her tracks.
What a pair of hypocrites. Those two are utterly disgusting.
The sorrow in her heart curdled into revulsion. Fighting back a wave of nausea, she continued down the stairs.
When Benjamin saw her, his expression immediately turned cold. “You are Shawn’s mother,” he snapped, his brow furrowed. “You have a duty to care for him and fulfill your responsibilities. How dare you neglect your son’s needs because of your own selfish whims? Do you even deserve to be a mother p>
While he might have tolerated her push for divorce, her mistreatment of their child crossed a hard line.
In all their years of marriage, he had never mistreated her. He had allowed her the easy life of Young Lady Forrester, asking only that she cook and raise their son. But his tolerance was not an invitation for her to be defiant.
n’
Because of her injured ankle, Rebekah’s gait was slightly unsteady. By the time she reached the bottom step, a thin sheen of sweat had formed on her forehead. The estate had an elevator, but shortly after she moved in, Hortensia had installed a keycard system, locking her out.
She looked at Benjamin and Shawn staring at her with cold disdain and felt no desire to speak to them.
She brushed past them with a sneer, ignoring them completely, and headed straight for the kitchen.
Benjamin and Shawn watched her go, a shared sense of satisfaction on their faces.
“She must be going to cook for you,” Benjamin said.
Shawn huffed, a hint of pride in his expression. “If she doesn’t make my favorite chicken wings, I’m still not forgiving her p>
Benjamin just shook his head with a faint, weary smile.
Old Mr. Forrester returned just before dinner. The table was already set.
Hortensia, back from her card game, saw Rebekah pushing the old man’s wheelchair to the table and her eyes filled with venom.
*That bitch! All she does is suck up to the old man, using his pity to keep her claws in my son! See how I deal with her p>
She handed her coat and bag to a maid and walked over with a bright smile. She grabbed Rebekah’s arm, shoved her aside, and took her place beside the wheelchair.
“Oh, Dad, why are you sitting here? Doesn’t this ill-mannered girl know to seat you at the head of the table? Or perhaps, she added with a sheer “she’s hoping to usurp your position and take the main seat for herself p>