“I agree with Aiden on this point,” Lucas said, elaborating further on his thoughts. “It’s the same kind of tactic she used when she suddenly started associating with Mr. Mueller’s son. Just think about it: that family has built an enormous business empire, which means their son has been surrounded by wealth and privilege since birth. What type of woman hasn’t he encountered? There must be an endless line of aspiring actresses and celebrities vying for his attention. Would someone like him truly take notice of Rebecca?”
“Come on, you guys, don’t talk about Catherine like that,” Catherine interjected, reproachful. “Vance might feel uncomfortable. But hey, what Lucas is saying isn’t entirely wrong. It’s simply a statement of fact. As a woman myself, I understand that kind of mindset all too well. It’s designed to catch attention and stir up emotions. I’ve tried such things before.” 1
Vance’s voice finally cut through the escalating conversation, bringing an end to the morning’s chaotic drama. “I have a clear understanding of the situation. She is my responsibility, and it’s my personal matter to handle. From the very beginning of our marriage, I intended to shoulder this burden alone without involving any of you. I’never anticipated that it would end up causing you all to worry and suffer alongside me as well.”
“What are you talking about? We’re brothers here. There’s no need for apologies or formalities like that,” Aiden responded.
“Exactly,” Lucas echoed in agreement. “We’re only concerned because we don’t want you to be the one suffering in silence.”
Rebecca stepped out of the restaurant, unable to hear their voices anymore. The bitter taste of the Americano lingered, settling uncomfortably in her stomach. It made her feel downcast.
In Vance’s mind, the ones who had been wronged and put through hardship all along were his friends. Thankfully, it was not too late to change course, and she could take solace in the fact that these past five years had not been entirely wasted on regret and stagnation.
She couldn’t bear to think what it would have felt like if she had lain back and done nothing. How desperate and helpless would she have felt then?
She made her way upstairs to the room, wasting no time as she gathered her luggage and headed straight to the airport.
Having not eaten enough for breakfast, she grabbed a bite in the lounge. Then it was time for boarding.
On this flight, the configuration had one window seat on either side of the aisle and two seats in the middle.
She selected a window seat, turned off her phone to prepare for takeoff, and retrieved a French novel from her bag. Reading was a habit she had maintained over the past five years. Every day she would read a little, whether it was a few pages, several chapters, or more.
As she immersed herself in the book, familiar voices suddenly flooded into the cabin.
“Vance, my seat is in the middle. What about yours?”
At that point, Rebecca couldn’t help but believe that the three of them must have been entangled by some unbreakable karmic bond from a previous life. How else could one explain such uncanny coincidences–ending up on the same flight and even in the same row?
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