Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 540

Chapter 540

“Listen,” Gabriel said, patting her back with firm, steady strokes. “First, love is not a transaction. There is no such thing as ‘repaying‘ or ‘not being able to repay. Second, what he calls giving up so much

If the goal was to trap you or control you, then it wasn’t a genuine sacrifice. It was an investment and a deal. Love is never a deal.”

Rebecca lay against his shoulder, tears continuing to stream, as his words began to untangle some of the knots in her heart.

“Third, and most important,” his voice softened with deep tenderness, “do you remember what I told you before? I only want you to be happy.

“So, ask yourself honestly. Are you happy now? He said there would be no you on stage without him. He was wrong. What brought you back to the stage was yourself.”

His words struck her like a hammer.

“It was the pain you endured during rehab, the sweat you poured out in the rehearsal hall, and your courage to stand up again that got you back on stage. No matter what anyone else did, none of it would have mattered without that,” he added.

“But…” she sobbed, still trying to argue.

The “truths” Desmond had drilled into her mind were trying to fight back.

“You don’t need to spend your entire life repaying anyone’s so–called kindness,” he said gently but firmly. Your happiness and feelings are the only things that matter. If what he gave you was pain, suffocation, and self–doubt, that wasn’t love. It was harm.”

At those words, her emotions gradually calmed.

“Don’t be afraid. I will be right here with you,” Gabriel murmured, patting her back like he was comforting a child. “He won’t be able to get close to you anymore.”

Perhaps because she had been under such intense mental strain lately, his voice felt like a gentle lullaby. She sobbed softly in his arms and finally drifted off to sleep.

But the moment he tried to lay her back down on the bed, she woke up again. The haunting voice came rushing back.

“Without me, there would be no you today. How are you going to repay everything I’ve done for you? The only way you can repay me is by spending your whole life with me!”

Rebecca woke from the nightmare in terror, her eyes tightly shut. “No… No… Go away… Go away…”

She could no longer be left alone, so Gabriel, Josette, and Kaitlyn took turns staying with her. She barely ate anything, losing a lot of weight in just a few days.

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Gabriel knew this couldn’t continue. After discussing it with the others, he decided to bring in a psychologist. But Rebecca was resistant to the idea and refused to cooperate.

“It’s my fault.” Gabriel said regretfully. “I didn’t investigate Desmond’s background properly. He has always been obsessive. His family mentioned that Rebecca was his savior. Even back then, he showed unhealthy psychological tendencies.

“The reason isn’t clear, but during that time, he was the understudy, rehearsing and performing with her. He became sunny and positive again. That’s why he kept liking her. When he went to Soliaridge to dance, he hadn’t actually seen her, but the obsession remained.”

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