Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33

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. Even if you don’t think of yourself, think of us. What about your dad and me in our old age? What about your brother?”

The nagging grated on Rebecca’s nerves. Every time her family squeezed Vance for more, she felt like vanishing into thin air. Their greed trampled her dignity and shredded her self–respect in the marriage.

Vance’s lavish generosity only fueled their demands, but only she knew how deeply he despised their pettiness deep down. Yet they deluded themselves into thinking he genuinely liked them.

Rebecca couldn’t endure it any longer. “Enough! If you keep hounding Vance for stuff or money, I’ll just divorce him!”

Undaunted, Adeline scoffed, “You? Divorce him? Planning to beg on the streets? How would you survive without him? Got some

guy on

the side? What could they possibly want–your limp? Your uselessness? Or your age?”

That was her mother and the toxic atmosphere of this house. No wonder she dreaded every visit; each one was pure torment.

“Fine! Then I’m out! I’ll go beg right now!” She stood up and stormed toward the door.

“With that limp, how far will you get?” Adeline sneered. “Don’t embarrass yourself and us. When he gets back and asks, should I tell him you went out hustling?”

Later, swayed by who–knows–what, she’d conceded and begun to believe that dance built poise, making girls more marketable to rich men for better prices.

In a cruel twist, Rebecca had fulfilled that vision, selling herself dearly, at the cost of her leg.

Seeing her rooted in place, Adeline snorted triumphantly. “Thought you were tougher than that.”

Vance and Soren returned from fishing as evening fell, joined by her brother, Emmett Perry, who had hurried home for dinner. Soren burst in, loudly praising Vance’s luck. Vance had reeled in a bounty, while Soren caught nothing. Adeline swiftly joined the flattery chorus.

Rebecca was accustomed to their sycophantic displays, but they still turned her stomach.

Adeline summoned everyone to the table, and Soren uncorked a bottle of whiskey, proclaiming loudly, “Thanks to Vance, I get to taste this. I’d never afford it.”

Vance responded with good–natured patience, but Rebecca squirmed in her seat.

Emmett exchanged sly glances with Adeline, followed by a nudge, Rebecca caught it, knowing they were up to no good.