It was her brother’s birthday. He had marked every important day, remembering their birthdays even better than she did. Such instances were too numerous to count. Her parents liked to boast to everyone about how rich and generous their son – in – law was, and so, people admired Rebecca for marrying such a good man. She admitted that Vance, as a son – in – law, a brother – in – law, and even as a husband, seemed almost perfect. If she had to use one word to describe him, that would be ‘ flawless ‘ .
But she understood one thing very clearly: his devotion and kindness didn’t stem from love, but from atonement. D
“You’ll never dance again. ” Those words had struck like a fatal blow, shattering both Rebecca and Vance. She could still vividly recall his reaction upon hearing them. After the initial shock, it was as if his very soul had been drained from his body. From that moment, the vibrant man she once knew died. They were both chained eternally by those words. She lost the stage forever, while he was condemned to atone for it without end. ” I owe her. ” Those simple words became the crushing burden that defined his entire existence.
From then on, Vance ceased to live, replaced by a hollow shell. He became Rebecca’s husband, a mechanical figure devoid of warmth or emotion. He moved through life like a robot, methodically performing the roles of husband, son – in – law, and brother -in – law with cold precision. But now, he had come back to life. Catherine’s return had reignited the spark in him, flooding his world with light once more. He started to smile again, his eyes gleaming with renewed fire and vitality. Rebecca sighed deeply.
With things having reached this point, why wouldn’t he just let her go and free himself in the process? 4 ” Here we are, ” Vance said, his voice snapping her from her thoughts. They had arrived at the underground parking lot of her parents ‘ apartment complex. Rebecca stepped out in silence as Vance opened the back door and unloaded the items. Glancing over, she saw premium cigars and fine whiskey for her father, along with a large gift box whose contents remained a mystery. The boxes were bulky, requiring three trips to haul them all into the elevator.
If his friends saw him like this, they would surely badmouth her behind her back. ” That woman was born to drag Vance down. With his status, why is he slaving away for some broke family’s daughter? ” She couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. On this s point, she agreed that her greedy family didn’t deserve his efforts. As he carried the final box inside and caught the lingering smirk on her lips, he pressed the elevator button and asked, ” What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, ” she replied flatly. She couldn’t exactly tell him she was laughing at his foolishness, could she?The elevator ascended to her parents ‘ floor, and he said, ” You go in first. I’ll handle the stuff. ” She exited but lingered by the door. When he emerged with the boxes and saw her standing there, a hint of helplessness crossed his face. ” Or hold the door for me? ” She obliged, and he helplessly shook his head. ” This is your home too. ” She lowered her gaze. Her home? Hell not. This was just the home of her parents and her brother. No one had shown even a shred of concern when her leg was wrecked in the car accident.
They had only obsessed over how much compensation they could squeeze out. How could this ever feel like home? More ironically, Vance was far more welcome here than she ever had been. Once everything was unloaded, she rang the doorbell. Her parents, expecting them, fling the door open at once. Her mother, Adeline Perry, beamed and ushered Vance inside with exaggerated warmth. Rebecca almost wondered if Adeline would even notice her absence if she didn’t follow.
Vance’s first act upon entering was to present the gifts: cigars, whiskey, cash, and the mysterious box. When it was opened, Rebecca discovered it contained a set of fishing gear. Her father, Soren Perry, had recently taken up fishing as a hobby, but this set cost a staggering six figures. ” Wow, you really got it for me? ” Soren exclaimed with delight. ” Fantastic!” So, he had specifically requested this extravagant set. The audacity disgusted her.
“Dad, can you have a little shame? ” Rebecca snapped, unable to fathom her family’s sudden extravagance. They’d always been an ordinary household. How could they afford, or even dream of, six figures? Their savings over the years barely scraped that amount. Soren exploded in rage. ” Mind your language, you ungrateful brat!”
“Yeah! I’m ungrateful! No one’s taught me how to shamelessly beg for stuff! ” she shot back. Soren raised his hand to strike her, but Vance swiftly stepped between them, pulling her into a protective embrace.
The blow landed squarely on his body instead. ” You little punk, ruining my good mood! I’ll beat the crap out of you! ” Soren spluttered. Vance turned, shielding her as he faced Soren. The latter deflated, forcing a smile. ” Rebecca’s got no manners. Don’t mind her.”
“She’s been moody lately, ” Vance said smoothly. ” Cut her some slack. ” Soren caught the unspoken warning against hitting Rebecca. Gazing up at the man towering protectively over her, Rebecca felt a surge of bittersweet sorrow. He was defending her now, but what good was it?
She no longer cared about her family’s cruelty. Where had this protectiveness been when she needed it the most? Vance had always been skilled at drawing boundaries based on his loyalties. He wouldn’t let Soren hit her, but if the conflict involved his friends or Catherine, it would be a different story. Sensing the tension, Adeline hurried over to defuse it, her smile apologetic. ” Come on, everyone, take a seat. I just made some tea. Soren, show some hospitality. ” Soren seized the excuse to back down, and Adeline served Vance a cup. ” What’s bothering Rebecca?” Vance settled into a chair, his arm draping casually over Rebecca’s shoulder as he glanced her way. ” Probably mad at me. Or tired of me? I’m not sure. Maybe she met someone better out there?”
“No way! ” Adeline dismissed the idea instantly. ” How could she find anyone better? Her condition only scares people away. ” Rebecca’s heart plummeted, though she wasn’t surprised. It was the unspoken consensus, even from her own family, that besides Vance, no one would want a cripple like her.
Still tinkering with his new fishing gear, Soren chimed in roughly, ” With a great guy like Vance, what more do you want? If you dare cheat on him, I’ll break your other leg!”
“Break them now! ” Rebecca surged to her feet, but Vance gently held her back. ” That’s enough. ” Turning to Soren, he suggested smoothly, ” Wanna try out the new rod? ” Soren’s face lit up. ” Sure thing! ” Vance leaned down, his voice softening as he stroked her hair. ” I’ll go fishing with Soren. You stay and chat with your mom. ” Come on, let’s go, ” Soren urged.
Vance got up and left with him. The moment the door clicked shut, Adeline plopped down beside her and launched into a scolding. ” Are you out of your mind? Vance is such a catch, and instead of treating him right, you’re picking fights? Other women would kill to be with a man like him. You hit the jackpot, and you don’t even appreciate it. If he leaves, good luck finding another rich husband. ” Rebecca sneered, ” You mean, good luck finding another sucker as your son – in – law. ” Adeline’s expression soured. ” You really don’t know what’s good for you.
Let me be clear: If you chase him off, don’t bother coming back. You’re useless ; can’t even keep a man happy. ” Little did she know that Rebecca was planning to divorce Vance.
Of course, Rebecca couldn’t voice that out aloud, or her parents would flip out, making her escape from this life even harder. Adeline shifted to her familiar lecture mode. ” You’ve been married five years now. It’s time to have a kid with him and lock himn down. If you don’t, plenty of other women will gladly step in. Why are you so clueless? I’m warning you: if you’re not pregnant by year’s end, don’t ever come back. ” She continued relentlessly. ” You’re disabled, so we can’t rely on you for our retirement. The only thing you’re good for is clinging to Vance.
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