Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 173

Chapter 173

Rebecca lifted her chin and stared him down, daring him to strike.

Adeline grabbed Soren’s arm, winking at him. “She’s grown up now and has her pride. Don’t get violent.”

Soren understood the real message: Rebecca was now Vance’s wife, and they still needed his financial

support.

For that sake, he swallowed his rage.

“We raised you,” Adeline said in a motherly tone. “You should be grateful.”

“You raised me?” Rebecca countered. “Did you feed me or pay for my schooling? No. Josette did everything.”

Adeline flushed red. “We gave birth to you. That counts for something. Without us, you wouldn’t exist. For that alone, you owe your dad a proper birthday celebration.” 2

“Oh yeah?” Rebecca turned to Emmett. “Since birth is such a big deal, how much did he chip in? I will match whatever he gave.”

Emmett’s face flushed red. “Why drag me into this?”

“How much? Spill it!” she pressed while knowing the answer.

“How can he be compared to you?” Soren snapped. “Starting a business is hard, and he’s getting married soon. I don’t want much. Just follow through on that house you mentioned last time.”

“Exactly,” Adeline echoed. “Your situations are different. You struck gold with your marriage and skipped 20 years of struggle. Most people work their whole lives and never reach what slips through your fingers. Stop obsessing over how much Vance spends on you. It’s his duty. Think more of us. We’re your real family.”

Their shamelessness made Rebecca laugh.

Josette trembled with rage. “Do you have any shred of parental decency left? No wonder you can’t treat the kids fairly! Worse, you’re dragging down Rebecca.”

“You’re playing favorites again,” Adeline complained. “Emmett is your grandson, yet you side with Rebecca every time.”

“My grandson?” Josette huffed. “Does he carry my name?”

“Aren’t you still a Perry?” Adeline rolled her eyes, then suddenly brightened. “You’re not seeing some old man, are you? Is that why you’re talking like this?”

Soren glared suspiciously. “At your age, don’t be foolish!”

Josette grabbed a chair, hurled it at Soren, and clutched her chest, gasping. Rebecca jumped up to steady her, terrified of a heart attack.

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“You never come here without causing trouble!” Rebecca shouted at her parents. “Can’t you just stay

away?”

“How dare you talk to me like that?” Soren slammed his fist on the table.

“Slam it again! Try it!” Josette rasped with fury.

Soren fumed, then held back. “I really came here to see you. I know my birthday is your tough day. Look. I’ve got you something, trying to pay you back.”

He pulled out an envelope and handed it to her. But neither woman believed him. Without a choice, he opened it himself, pulled out the cash, laid it on the table, and pushed it over.

“See? Crisp new bills from the bank,” he said.

Yet Rebecca didn’t believe for a second that he had turned over a new leaf.

“What is your endgame?” she demanded.

“Don’t talk to elders like that!” he warned.

Adeline carried over a basket. “We really did come to visit, Josette. Soren knows how hard it’s been for you, so he wants to honor you on his birthday. I’ll cook, and we’ll have a nice family meal together.”

Josette knew their true colors too well. No way they’d change overnight. This meal definitely came with strings attached.

“It’s fine,” she refused. “Go back and eat it yourselves.”

“Come on.” Adeline ignored her protests. “We’re family. I’m going to cook now.”

She hauled the basket to the kitchen. Josette was old, and Rebecca’s leg made it impossible to stop her.

“Let them stay,” Josette said wearily. “We’ll go out.”

“What?” Soren squeezed his eyes, forcing out a pitiful expression. “We came all this way to celebrate with you, and you’re leaving? It breaks my heart. Don’t you love me anymore? Or Emmett?”

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