I was a bit willful, but Vance has always been so tolerant. No matter how long I was away or how far I went, he waited for me right where I left. ” Vance smiled indulgently, the picture of gentlemanly grace. ” Oh my gosh, what fairy – tale love! ” gushed a younger, single guest. Vance chuckled, ” When it comes to marital bliss, we should all learn from Mr. and Mrs. Lemke. They’re the true epitome of devoted partnership, weathering storms hand in hand. ” 1 Everyone nodded in agreement. But then, a discordant voice cut in, ” As far as I remember, Mrs.
Bradford used to be a dancer, but after a car accident, her leg was permanently injured, forcing her to leave the stage. Yet now, her legs seem perfectly fine. “
The speaker was none other than Desmond, who had just come back from the restroom. He regarded Vance and Catherine with an inscrutable expression. His words made the pair stiffen noticeably. Vance frowned at the blunt challenge. Back in university, he had been the leader of the student council, talented and ambitious. He had never encountered such awkward situations before. But the panic was fleeting ; he quickly composed himself and smiled with utmost poise. ” Yes, so for these five years, she has rarely gone out, dedicating herself to rehabilitation training.
She’s finally seeing some results, but she’s still very sensitive about it, fearing odd looks from others. It took tremendous effort to convince her to come tonight. I assured her repeatedly that Mr. Lemke’s guests are all people of quality who wouldn’t offend her. ” His words were masterful, implying that if Desmond persisted, he would be the one lacking manners, offending Catherine. So, Vance knew this was an offense. Yet when his friends had offended Rebecca in the same way, he had done nothing. When Aiden had mimicked her walking, he had done nothing.
It was laughable that people’s double standards could reach this level. Unfazed, Desmond chuckled and bowed to Vance. To his credit, the bow from a dancer was incredibly graceful. ” My apologies, Mr. Bradford, ” Desmond said sincerely. ” I didn’t mean any offense. I’m genuinely seeking advice, because I have a friend who was also injured, also for five years, but not as lucky as Mrs. Bradford to fully recover. She’s a dancer, and her leg injury is equivalent to killing half her life, so I really hope to help her. I would appreciate it if you could recommend a good doctor.” Lauren chimed in, ” Yes, rest assured. We absolutely have no intention of offending her. For those brave souls who stand up in adversity, we have only admiration. Mrs. Bradford’s courage is truly commendable. It’s just that what little Desmond said hits right home for me, too. We have such a friend, and we’d like to seek treatment for her.”
“Oh, well… ” Even someone as quick – witted as Vance couldn’t invent a doctor on the spot. Catherine quickly came to the rescue. ” I was treated abroad.” They thought mentioning ” abroad ” would make Desmond and Lauren drop it, but Desmond pursued relentlessly. ” We travel worldwide for performances, so distance is not an issue. No matter how far it is, we’re getting her treated. ” Catherine froze, not expecting him to be so tactless. Facing Desmond’s and Lauren’s expectant gazes, she looked at Vance for help. Vance steeled himself and scribbled a fake Swiss hospital name on a piece of paper, handing it to Desmond. ” It’s this one, but every patient’s situation is different.
My wife has been rehabilitating there envied Vance’s school – to – wedding romance was teary – eyed. ” Rebecca, you’re a true role model. I’m a dancer too, and I understand the sacrifice you made. Respect. ” Rebecca felt a lump in her throat, touched by Lauren’s kindness. But she knew it couldn’t be cured, because the hospital Vance had given was fake. Desmond knew that too. He spoke purposefully. ” After leaving the stage, Rebecca got married. I heard her husband is the very person she saved. His name is…” Vance panicked, ready to interrupt, but Desmond frowned thoughtfully. ” I can’t remember his name.” Vance heaved a sigh of relief, which Rebecca found laughable. Desmond pulled out his phone and began scrolling through it. After a while, he looked up at Vance with a raised eyebrow. ” Huh, in the wedding video, why does the groom look so much like Mr. Bradford? “
Lauren craned her neck to look, and the girl who said she was a dancer crowded over too. Rebecca had no idea why Desmond had her wedding video. It had been a private ceremony, nothing extravagant, and she never shared it on any social media. But it was indeed her wedding video. She had smiled so brilliantly back then, having truly loved Vance and truly wanted to walk through life with him. Now it felt like a lifetime ago, so long that she had forgotten what it felt like to smile heartily. The video also showed something she had missed.
It was Vance’s despondent expression, as if his life had reached its end. Why bother? Every eye was now on Vance and Catherine. With the video right there, no more denial was possible. Catherine had already dissolved into tears. Vance, on the other hand, displayed immense responsibility, subconsciously shielding Catherine. ” I’m sorry for the spectacle, everyone. It’s my fault. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, and I don’t want to ruin the mood. Please excuse us. ” He looked at Rebecca, his gaze inscrutable. She felt a sharp sourness in her heart.
It turned out he could stand up for others in public, and this was how he protected his own. Lauren, ever upright and fair, spoke. ” Mr. Bradford, I think you’ve misunderstood. We are not that close. You don’t need to apologize to us. The person you should apologize to is your wife. ” Vance’s gaze softened, and he whispered, ” Come on. Let’s go home. ” Rebecca’s heart soured to the point she wanted to laugh. He sounded like he was going to take both Catherine and her home. ” No, I’m staying.” She shook her head firmly, then added, ” As Lauren’s student.” Her implication was clear. She was not there as his wife. Vance’s eyes flickered, and he finally nodded. ” Alright. ” He then turned to Pascal. ” It’s regrettable to end our potential collaboration this way. I hope… ” He paused, letting out a bitter laugh. ” There probably won’t be a next time, so farewell, ” He led Catherine to walk past everyone. Near the door, Catherine suddenly wrenched free and returned, bowing deeply to Pascal. ” Mr. Lemke, please don’t abandon the collaboration with Vance. It’s all my fault. I took the initiative because we knew you and Mrs.
Lemke have such a deep marital bond, and value husband – wife harmony above all. But Rebecca… ” She glanced at Rebecca and continued, ” She doesn’t like socializing, so in a moment of impulse, when you misunderstood me, I didn’t explain. I wanted to help Vance promote your collaboration. Vance is truly excellent. You won’t regret working with him. “
“Cathy! ” Vance came back to interrupt her. ” That’s enough. Let’s go.” He always stood with her, no matter what, but Catherine was unwilling to give up.
The rims of her eyes reddened, and she pleaded, ” Please don’t go. It’s all my fault. I don’t want your business to be affected because of me.”
“It has nothing to do with you, ” he sighed. ” Let’s go. The pair’s affectionate performance was so absurd that it shocked everyone. Lauren finally reacted, suppressing her temper to issue an eviction. ” Leave as you like. Don’t drag it out. “
Catherine’s face flushed crimson, aggrieved tears swirling in her eyes. Vance took her hand, and they left. Lauren shot Pascal a glare, blaming him for the drama. Then she turned to Rebecca. ” What do you think about this collaboration? We’ll go with whatever you say!”
“Don’t worry about me, ” Rebecca replied with a playful wink. ” You guys can decide on your own. I may not be able to run again, but I can fly like a swallow. ” Lauren breathed a sigh of relief. ” Good. We watched that melodramatic performance mainly out of consideration for you.
We didn’t want to hurt your feelings. Now I’m at ease.” The others, who didn’t know Rebecca or Vance well, had been hesitant to join in the discussion. Lauren’s words eased the tension, and the atmosphere lightened. ” Alright, let’s continue, ” Lauren said with a smile, signaling everyone to move on. Rebecca spent a pleasant evening with Lauren’s group. Everyone was friendly, and they exchanged contact information. That female dancer, Helia Adams, was warm and radiant, as her name suggested. When the party ended, Desmond insisted on escorting Rebecca home.
Standing under the sycamore tree downstairs from the house, Desmond seemed nervous. ” Rebecca…”
“Hm? ” Rebecca smiled. ” Thank you for seeing me home. ” Desmond lowered his head like a child who had done wrong. ” I’m sorry for exposing your privacy today without your consent. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. ” But he had truly been indignant at the time, standing up for her out of a sense of injustice. Rebecca shook her head because that hardly counted as an offense. The people who truly offended her never even realized it. ” It’s nothing.
The truth will come out sooner or later, ” she said. Separating from Vance was inevitable. If not for his persistent refusal, they would have divorced already. Only then did light reignite in Desmond’s eyes. ” Swallow, I believe you’ll spread your wings and soar high, even with broken feathers! ” In college, her nickname had been Swallow because her flips and leaps were always light, high, and effortless. Hearing it repeatedly that night made her blood bubble with excitement, as if she had returned to those days of sweating it out in the practice room.
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