Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32

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“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.”

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!”

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