Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 91

Chapter 91

Catherine was a hot mess, tears streaking her face. “Vance, drop it. I’ll turn myself in. Don’t fight with Rebecca because of me. I hate seeing you two at odds. All I’ve ever wanted is for everyone to be happy.”

Turning to Rebecca, she added, “This is on me. Chew me out, slap me around, or light me on fire if it evens the score. Just leave him out of it.”

Rebecca watched Catherine’s performance with icy detachment, silently acknowledging how masterful Catherine’s acting truly

was

“Why would I scold or hit you? I’m no criminal,” she said coolly, pointing at the door. “You said you’d turn yourself in. Go ahead.

Catherine went stock–still, not expecting Rebecca to call her bluff.

“Well? Aren’t you leaving? Or was that all smoke and mirrors?” Rebecca pushed, standing her ground.

Vance rubbed his temples, frustration carving deep lines in his brow. “Rebecca, dial it back. You’re coming on too strong.”

“Am I?” she shot back. “She volunteered. If she’s backing out now, what else could it be but a performance?”

“Okay, I’ll go,” Catherine wailed, spinning on her heel and storming out.

“Cathy! Hold up!” Vance bolted after her, skidding to a stop at the door. He doubled back, words rushing out. “She’s got too much pride to handle this kind of humiliation. She might do something rash to herself. I’ll check on her and be right back.”

uld knock Catherine off her pedestal in his heart.

Report filed and slip in hand, she went home. Her passport was back in her possession, so she rescheduled her visa appointment, swallowed some allergy medication, and collapsed into bed early. 1

She mentally scrubbed Vance’s name clean from her thoughts, not giving a hoot if he’d tracked down Catherine or what went down next. The police would sort her out eventually.

All Rebecca wanted now was to focus on her own well–being.

The ordeal had been overwhelming. Even though she had walked into the trap knowingly, escaping that fire had drained her body and spirit.

She conked out the second her head hit the pillow, oblivious to Vance’s return. Had he not disturbed her the next morning, she might never have known.

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Chapter 92