Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 423

Chapter 423

Vance was stumped and felt a wave of embarrassment.

Without another word, Edwin turned and went back into his office. Vance sat down in the waiting area, not stepping forward until Rebecca came out two hours later.

A few days apart, saying her name felt like it belonged to another lifetime, but clearly, she didn’t want to

see him.

In her mind, they had said goodbye and should not cross paths again.

He saw the impatience in her eyes and smiled bitterly. “You won’t even see me for a minute? Do you really hate me that much?”

She shook her head. “I don’t ha

you.”

Hope flashed in his eyes, but her next words sent him straight back to hell. “I’ve already erased you from my life. If you don’t show up, I don’t even remember you.”

At that moment, Vance finally understood what people meant when they said indifference was crueler

than hatred. For a second, he wished she would hate him. At least then, she would still think of him

sometimes.

She started toward the exit. He fell into step beside her, matching her slow pace. The distance from the clinic to the gate was short-too short for them to say more than a few words.

Once, he had an entire lifetime to walk with her and talk. He hadn’t cherished it.

He wanted to say, “Thank you for folding those paper cranes for my grandmother. Thank you for staying with her during her final days.”

But the words wouldn’t come out. In the end, he only managed, “Which country are you moving to? Have you been planning this for a long time?”

He remembered all the French books she had been studying and the practice tests she had been doing.

He had once teased her about her level. Now that only made his face burn with shame.

She stayed silent, not owing him any explanation.

He continued, “Silly question. Of course, you’re going with Gabriel. Wherever he is, you’ll be there, too. That’s good. At least, you’ll have someone looking out for you.”

He thought for a moment and added, “Don’t worry about things here. I’ll take care of Josette, though we…”

“No need,” she interrupted. “She is coming with me.”

At those words, something inside him snapped. He never expected she’d take Josette away with her.

If Josette stayed in the country, there would still be a thread connecting Rebecca to Soliaridge. If Josette left with her, there would be nothing left behind.

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Chapter 423

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His eyes started to sting. Soon enough, they reached the gate, and she was about to get into the car.

“Rebecca!” he called out desperately, his voice trembling. “If I were still the old me, would I still have a

chance?”

She shook her head without looking back, but he would not give up. “What if I were still a clean, innocent

man?”

“Vance,” she said, “it has nothing to do with what kind of person you are. I just don’t want to go back to that life. I hope we never see each other again. Just the thought of spending my days with you makes me feel sick. Do you understand? No matter what version of you it is, the things that happened and the hurt you caused can’t be erased.”

“Rebecca…” He watched helplessly as she got into the car, his voice choked with emotion.

He wanted to step closer and say something through the window, but a bodyguard in a black suit blocked his view. “Mr. Bradford, please respect her wishes.”

He could only watch her car drive away, not knowing if this would be the last time he ever saw her.

That evening, he went to the Hortons’ house for dinner.

The couple had grown used to his visits. They would go buy fresh ingredients and cook proper meals. They’d even ask what he felt like eating and make it for him.

Chapter 424