After five loveless years of marriage, Rebecca Perry finally realizes her husband Vance Bradford has never stopped loving his first love, Catherine. Instead of fighting for his attention, Rebecca quietly prepares to leave, learning a new language and securing a place abroad. When she presents Vance with divorce papers and disappears, he is stunned. But her dazzling new life soon makes him desperately regret letting her go.
The faint sound of running water echoed from the bathroom; Vance Bradford was taking a shower. It was three in the morning, and he had just returned home. Rebecca Perry stood at the bathroom door, her heart pounding. There was something she wanted to discuss with him, but she felt nervous, unsure if he would…
“Anything, I guess,” Rebecca started, then swallowed her usual response of making whatever Vance liked. But Nancy understood the implication. That was just the same daily conversation. “Mr. Bradford said he won’t be home for dinner. He has a commitment.” Rebecca nodded, having seen the list in that post. Catherine had scheduled a week’s worth…
Finally, Vance stood up and walked over to her. “Rebecca? What are you doing here? They were just joking. Don’t take it to heart.” She stared at him, feeling utterly alienated. For the first time, he seemed a stranger. In the face of mockery toward his wife, he sided with them. Aiden put down his…
Without her, his life would be so much easier. “She is a cripple. Who else would want her?” “Yet she still expects so much from Vance?” “I’d rather be the crippled one than wed one and face ridicule.” “Other CEOs flaunt elegant partners; Vance? He doesn’t even have someone he can take out in public.”…
I only see her as a sister. She’s unmarried, so speaking ill of her isn’t fair.” Rebecca couldn’t grasp his reasoning. Hadn’t they brought this on themselves? Catherine had leaned on him shamelessly, yet they feared commentary? She managed only a faint “Oh.” “Rebecca…” he paused, detected her detachment. “Why still upset? You stayed at…
Originally, she had thought that even if Vance didn’t put much heart into it, at least he remembered her important dates and their anniversaries. The gifts might have been repetitive and lacking in thoughtfulness, but they were at least valuable. Now she realized that he did care. It was just that none of it had…
The episode prevented Rebecca from revealing the truth. But if Rebecca had truly wanted to continue, no one could have stopped her. From across the table, Vance cast her a pleading glance, subtly shaking his head and mouthing, “Don’t say it.” Truth be told, she hadn’t intended to say it in the first place. She…
But anger wasn’t among them. Anger would imply that a bit of coaxing from him could make everything right again, that there was still hope for their marriage. But she had no such hope left. Five years had been more than enough. ” I swear, nothing is going on between Catherine and me. We’re just…
She had to admit that while Vance had invested no heart in their marriage, he had been extraordinarily generous with money. Over five years, with few places to spend it, she had saved quite a sum – more than enough for her studies abroad. She opened a fresh notebook and flipped to the first page,…
I’m just so heartbroken that not only did I fail to help you, but I’ve made things even worse. Rebecca’s even angrier now. I’m so sorry.” The look of heartache on Vance’s face was practically overflowing. He turned to Rebecca with a furrowed brow. ” Did you hear that? She is much more sensible and…