Rebecca returned their stares with a calm smile.
Gradually, Vance’s laughter subsided, and one by one, the others followed suit.
She locked eyes with him and asked pointedly, “Is it really that funny?”
His jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
She pressed on. “Does it amuse you to join others in mocking your own wife?”
He remained speechless, unable to formulate a response.
“Rebecca…” Catherine began, her eyes welling up with tears as if she were about to launch into another performance.
Wanting no part in it, Rebecca slipped on her headphones to tune out the noises. Whatever complaints Catherine might have whispered to Vance afterward no longer mattered to her. If only she could erase ever having known any of them. 7
For the rest of the journey, she had no further interactions with the group.
The plane landed, and it was time to retrieve luggage from the overhead bins, Catherine put on an exaggerated display of capability, pulling open the compartment cover and turning to Vance. “Help Rebecca with her luggage. She can’t manage it on her own.”
Vance paused from reaching for Catherine’s suitcase, then walked over to open the bin for Rebecca.
Rebecca found the situation bitterly amusing. Was he only assisting her now to appease Catherine and save face?
Vance frowned at her expression. “What’s so funny about this?”
But her grin grew even wider. “Just wondering if I should thank Cathy for it.”
The mere mention of Catherine’s name drew immediate wary glances from everyone, as though they feared the disabled Rebecca might pose some kind of threat to her.
Catherine quickly interjected, “No worries, Rebecca. It’s nothing.”
Rebecca ignored Catherine entirely, keeping her eyes fixed on Vance. “Should I thank her for graciously lending me my own husband for a minute to help with my luggage?”
His expression darkened. “Rebecca!”
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