Chapter 262
262 Fractures
Rebecca’s outburst silenced the room. Franklin looked at her reddened eyes, his chest tightening. He let go of Martha’s wrist.
Martha, too, was stunned. Seeing her daughter’s worn face, the frenzy drained from her, leaving only exhaustion and grievance.
Finished
At last, she cast Franklin a look thick with resentment, then lowered her head and stumbled upstairs.
Her back looked frail beneath the golden light, lonely and defeated.
Rebecca watched until she vanished around the landing, her feelings tangled.
She hated her mother’s cruelty and control, but she had never wished to humiliate her so.
And Franklin—his cold, ruthless treatment of Martha had planted a deeper suspicion. Was there really someone else?
“Rebecca, you’re tired. Go rest.”
Franklin stepped closer, reaching to touch her hair as before. She flinched away.
His hand froze midair, and hurt flickered in his eyes.
“Dad,” Rebecca lifted her chin, staring at him, “can’t you just tell me the truth?”
He hesitated, then shook his head. “I’ve kept nothing from you.”
“Then why treat Mom like that?” she pressed. “Even if you don’t love her, you don’t have to be so heartless ! ”
“Rebecca, adult relationships aren’t as simple as you think.” sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Findηʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
He sighed, sounding weary. “Your mother and I–there’s no love left. Marrying her was my mistake. But now…” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “Now all I want is to make it up to you, to give you the life you deserve.”
“Make it up to me by locking Mom out?”
Her voice trembled with disappointment. “Do you know what I thought when you stopped me from opening the door? I thought you were a stranger. I thought you were terrifying.”
Franklin’s heart clenched hard. For the first time, he realized his need for control was cutting into the very person he wanted to protect.
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“Rebecca, I-” He faltered, unable to explain.
She waved him off.
“Forget it. I won’t ask anymore. Mom’s back inside now. Just… stop fighting.”
Franklin latched onto the change of subject.
Finished
“Right. The priority now is restoring your reputation. Scarlett saved Mr. Tristan, didn’t she? I’ll go see him. Maybe he can help us.”
Rebecca knew he was preparing to act. That was what she wanted, so she didn’t argue.
But just as she turned to leave, Franklin added quietly, “I know you hate Scarlett. But you should still visit the Lane estate more often.”
Rebecca frowned, baffled by his reasoning.
He scratched his temple, looking awkward. “It won’t hurt you to go. Just… trust me on this.”
She brushed it aside. “Fine. I heard you.”
The next morning, Scarlett heard about Martha’s late–night scene–and Oliver’s “righteous” confrontation.
She hadn’t intended to waste thought on them.
But Oliver came straight to her.
“Scarlett, I didn’t sleep last night. I kept thinking about how I could make you smile again. I finally understand now–your life with us was never good.”
“You were gaslit by the Joyners day after day. No wonder you were unhappy. For two whole years, you lived like that. And I never noticed. I even joined in, pushing you harder.”
The more he thought, the heavier his guilt. So he had risen at dawn to wait outside her villa and apologize.
“Words don’t matter,” Scarlett said coolly. “Do your job. Be a servant. That’s the path you chose. One apology doesn’t erase it.”
Oliver’s face tightened, hurt flashing in his eyes. “You think I’m apologizing just to escape That I want your forgiveness only to better my own lot?”
this ?
Her gaze stayed indifferent, her head tilted slightly. “People look out for themselves above all.
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262 Fractures
That’s your motto, isn’t it?”
His breath caught. He hadn’t expected that answer.
So in her heart, was he truly nothing more than a man without scruples?
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Finished
Had their years together left no warmth, no memory strong enough to prove his worth to her?
Something cracked inside him. His voice rose, raw and urgent.
“If I were that kind of man, why would I come here as a servant?”
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