Chapter 8
Benjamin’s face hardened.
He watched as she retrieved her crutch and limped away, putting distance between them. A wave of irritation washed over him.
Since her release from prison, she had become increasingly defiant. And here he was, trying to make peace with her.
“Rebekah, what is this nonsense?” he demanded, his tone imperious. “It was just a pendant. Are you losing your mind over this p>
Rebekah stared at him, the coldness in her heart spreading. He had always known what that pendant meant to her, and yet he didn’t care. In the end, it was because *she* didn’t matter to him.
But that was fine. In three months, she would be gone. His feelings were irrelevant.
“Mom, what is wrong with you?” Shawn demanded, mirroring his father’s expression. “You’re acting like a crazy person. This isn’t being a good mother.” Rebekah let out a bitter laugh. “So, a mother isn’t allowed to have her own feelings p>
Shawn was taken aback. He stuck out his chin, his eyes filled not with affection, but with defensiveness. “If you’re going to be like this, then I don’t want you as my mom anymore,” he huffed, taking Candice’s hand. “I want Aunt Candice to be my mom. She’s educated and went to a good school. She’s not like a common
housewife like you p>
Rebekah’s gaze turned to ice. If she hadn’t married Benjamin and had Shawn, she would have earned her doctorate by now. She had chosen to put her education on hold to be a better mother.
And now, he was using her lack of a degree to declare her unfit.
The absurdity of it all was suffocating. The son she had carried for ten months had inherited Benjamin’s cold, heartless nature.
She gave him a sarcastic smile. “You’re right. I’m not fit to be your mother p>
Benjamin’s expression turned frigid. “Rebekah, what are you trying to say p>
A flicker of hesitation crossed her face, but she quickly composed herself. “I’m not your mother anymore. You can have whoever you want p>
She glanced at Shawn, her voice devoid of warmth. “I hope you don’t regret this. And… your health isn’t the best. Don’t p>
“You think I wanted you as my mother? If I had a choice, I would have picked Aunt Candice!” Shawn’s face flushed with anger. He grabbed a Legocreation from a shelf and smashed it on the floor. Who wants to listen to you nag all the time? You sound like a broken record! And since you said you’re not my mom, you have no right to tell me what to do p>
The pieces scattered across the floor.
Rebekah stared at them, a dull ache throbbing in her heart. She and Shawn had
spent hours building that together on his last birthday.
She clamped her mouth shut. If he
didn’t want her concern, then there
was nothing more
to say. He wanted
his precious Aunt Candice, and she would grant him his wish.
Candice covered her mouth. “This is all my fault. I’m so sorry, Sis. If I had known how much you
misunderstood me, I never would
have come p>
“Rebekah, what is wrong with you?” Benjamin’s face was a thundercloud. He grabbed her wrist, his grip painfully tight.
She just smiled sardonically. “I’m not the one with the problem. The biggest mistake of my life was marrying you p>
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it echoed in the silent living room. “Benjamin, let’s get a divorce p>
He had ruined her for the woman he idolized. Now, she was giving them their freedom.
Benjamin’s frown deepened, and he let out a cold, sharp laugh. “Did three months in prison drive you mad p>