Chapter 15
Rebecca and Morgan’s unusual closeness, far exceeding that of typical friends, filled Stephan with a wave of revulsion. He was just about to ask Rebecca about Morgan’s identity when her remarks hit him like a truck, throwing him into complete disarray again.
He then said, “I know it’s all my fault now, Rebecca. Can you please forgive me? I swear I won’t repeat my past actions if you give me one more chance. I swear you’ll be the only one for me moving forward. I’ll never stray again.”
Rebecca had heard a different version of these same heartfelt assurances five years prior. Stephan had said the same things back then to win her over. Yet, the result was nothing but betrayal. Witnessing him deliver such promises in person again, she merely felt a sense of ridicule.
She then retorted, “Why on earth would I trade a life of utter freedom to return to a soul–crushing marriage with you, Stephan? Why do you think I’d give a second chance to a dishonest, unreliable scumbag who goes back on his word?
“I’m not some benevolent saint, and I certainly don’t run a waste disposal facility to collect trash like you, Stephan. You’re clearly barking up the wrong tree if you thought otherwise.”
Upon hearing that, Stephan’s complexion grew increasingly ashen. He was utterly bewildered by how their situation had deteriorated to this extent. His mind was a jumbled mess, and a creeping tide of regret and panic slowly devoured what little composure he had left. He desperately wished to offer an explanation, but the sheer gravity of his past actions left him without a shred of argument.
The atmosphere suddenly became thick with tension.
It was impossible to tell how much time had passed before a familiar voice broke the silence from the front of the villa.
“Stephan!” Giselle, who was still recovering from her illness, shouted from a distance. Her breaths were shallow and uneven as she rushed over and grabbed Stephan’s hand.
Rebecca’s gaze flickered to their interlaced hands, and Stephan, as if jolted from a trance, shook Giselle off as if she were the plague, sending her sprawling to the ground.
It never crossed Giselle’s mind that she would suffer such humiliation in front of Rebecca. She looked up in a rage, instantly catching Stephan’s detached look and the brief smirk on Rebecca’s face. Her fury intensified, believing that that smirk was a retaliatory mockery from Rebecca.
She couldn’t help but launch into her perfonnance, asking, “What’s gotten into you, Stephan? Did Mrs. Lodge say something to you again? Didn’t you promise you wouldn’t listen to just one side of things? You also told me that Mrs. Lodge was ill–tempered and prone to tantrums and that I should be more tolerant of her. I’ve been doing everything you said—”
“Enough!”
Giselle was halfway through her calculated remarks when Stephan’s deathly glare and shout instantly silenced her.
Rebecca watched the unfolding drama with a wry amusement. She couldn’t help but say, “You should let her carry on since we’re divorced anyway. I’m actually dying to find out just how much of a monster the person I truly loved for five years turned out to be.”
Upon hearing that, Stephan’s eyes widened in panic. He hastened to offer an explanation, only to be cut short by Giselle’s astonished remark.
“You’ve already gotten divorced?”
Rebecca nodded with a smile looking at the person sprawled on the ground with an indifferent expression. “It’s a done deal, and there’s absolutely no chance of reconciliation in the future. Congratulations, Giselle. You can finally take my place now.”
Her every remark cut Stephan deeply. He began to tremble uncontrollably, his gaze filled with despair as he looked at Rebecca, only to find her smiling serenely. That smile, so indicative of her freedom, inflicted far more pain on him than her cutting remarks.
He felt ashamed to face her and dreaded the prospect of hearing anything further that would be even more unbearable. He had no choice but to stagger into the encroaching twilight, fleeing from the unbearable pain that overwhelmed him.
