Chapter 167
“Didn’t I tell you belone? May said, not showing even a hint of guilt, sounding completely convincing “Your mom lived in an orphanage until she turned eighteen, and after that, she worked part–time jobs through college
“Who could possibly save up that much money from part–time gigs? Rebecca shot back.
May answered without missing a beat, propping her chin in her hand. “Your mom, my bestie, obviously.”
Rebecca felt speechless.
“Don’t doubt it.” May said sincerely. “Your mom was seriously impressive. If she and Jeffrey were the same age. even your husband might not be able to hold a candle to her.”
“So why did she pick my dad?” Rebecca pressed, her tone unusually serious. With such great instincts and skills, there was no way Amelia couldn’t see through a guy. Rebecca knew that something definitely didn’t add
“Well… May pursed her lips, not expecting Rebecca to ask so sharply. “No one can have everything. She was so successful in her career that her judgment of guys was bound to be a bit off.”
“If Mom was really as amazing as you say, she wouldn’t have married Dad.” Rebecca was sharper than ever. “Grandma and Grandpa weren’t exactly her biggest fans, either.”
Amelia was smart, successful, and had a good heart. It didn’t make sense that she would marry someone like Richard.
May was at a loss for words.
Rebecca pressed on, “Their marriage felt more like a business arrangement.” She knew that her parents had signed a prenup ahead of time and kept all their finances completely separate. She thought even the way they interacted day to day was strange.
Back then, Rebecca believed her parents got along perfectly and loved each other. But now, it felt too flawless, like a carefully staged act..
“What are you rambling on about, kid?” May was starting to sweat.
“So, is it that Mom asked you to keep quiet about this, or did she share the story with some other close friend and leave you out?” Rebecca asked smoothly.
“If it’s the latter, I won’t press you. I know bringing it up makes you feel upset every time.”
May couldn’t handle the thought, “She didn’t have any other close friends. Her ride–or–die is just me.”
Rebecca replied dismissively. “Oh.”
May asked, “You don’t believe me, do you?”
10:32 Mon, Sep 29
Chapter 167
“I do Heleva answered, her face absolutely sincere
“You don’t believe me May said Memories rushed back. “Your mom was amazing back then, totally stole the
me? spotlight Everyone was jealous, but I was the only one smart enough to keep her as my true ally”
“Who are you talking about?” Rebecca pressed
“Just the people in her circle, May replied breezily
Rebecca pulled up a photo on her phone and handed it to May. “Did that include him?”
May glanced instinctively. Seeing it was Ryan, her expression flickered briefly before she masked it. “Why do you still have his photo? Didn’t I warn you he’s trouble? Stay away from him.”
“I saw him,” Rebecca admitted honestly. “He even gave me his business card.”
May immediately perked up. “You actually took it?”
“Yeah, I took it,” Rebecca said.
May’s tone turned anxious. “How could you accept it? That guy is just pure trash, Rebecca, you…”
Rebecca shot back, “As if!”
May stopped short. “Wait, what?”
“I didn’t take it. I threw it away,” Rebecca said, trusting May wouldn’t let her down. “You’re usually chill, but you lose it whenever his name comes up. Did he have something with Mom?”
May’s mouth hung open. For once, she had no idea what to say.
“You told me Mom grew i
in an orphanage, so he can’t be a relative, Rebecca guessed. The only way you’d go off on him like that is if he screwed over Mom.”
“Or maybe their partnership fell apart and he made off with the cash, May said, genuinely surprised by how spot–on Rebecca’s guess was.
“You can just be upfront about it,” Rebecca replied, sharp as ever. “No need to hide anything
May rubbed her forehead, thinking, ‘Alright, this kid’s gotten too smart to brush off.”
“His name is Ryan, and he was the only real relationship your mom ever had,” May finally admitted after a long pause. “They dated for five years, but in the end, he betrayed her and married another woman.”
Rebecca didn’t look the least bit shocked. “No wonder he always has that sad look in his eyes whenever he sees Mom.
“Sad? Hell no,” May scoffed, her resentment for Ryan clear. If it weren’t for him, Amelia wouldn’t have had to move away. “He’s just mad the woman he ended up with doesn’t compare to your mom, and now he’s stuck with regret.
10:32 Mon, Sep 20
Chapter 167
AD
Rebecca frowised Ryan really didn’t seem like the type, Guess you can’t judge a book by its cover, she
thought
Anyway, just keep your distance from him. May said, her disgust practically dripping through every wordt, “Guys like him don’t even deserve to be anywhere near Amelia.”
Rebecca nodded. “Alright”
After that, the talk tuned lighter. May steered Rebecca away from Amelia’s past, and Rebecca avoided bringing up Jeffrey. They simply caught up and talked about anything but old baggage.
They finished eating quickly, and before long, they were on their way to the hospital to visit Amelia Amelia was supposed to wake up soon, and Reberca couldn’t wait to finally see her mom open her eyes again.
Before they even saw Amelia, Rebecca and May spotted Ryan and his secretary walking toward Amelia’s hospital room
Rebecca was just about to say something, but May rushed forward and yanked Ryan back right as he reached the doorway. May glared at him, her tone sharp but controlled. “What are you doing here? You don’t belong here.
Ryan paused for a second, and when he realized it was May who’d grabbed him, his eyes lost that icy edge. In a calm, flat voice, he said, “I heard Amelia woke up. Just came to see her.”
“It doesn’t concern you whether she’s awake or not,” Rebecca replied, stepping up beside May and blocking the doorway. I already told you that last time.”
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