Lahat ng Kabanata ng Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford: Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

"You'll never dance again."Those words had struck like a fatal blow, shattering both Rebecca and Vance.She could still vividly recall his reaction upon hearing them. After the initial shock, it was as if his very soul had been drained from his body.From that moment, the vibrant man she once knew died. They were both chained eternally by those words. She lost the stage forever, while he was condemned to atone for it without end."I owe her." Those simple words became the crushing burden that defined his entire existence.From then on, Vance ceased to live, replaced by a hollow shell. He became Rebecca's husband, a mechanical figure devoid of warmth or emotion. He moved through life like a robot, methodically performing the roles of husband, son-in-law, and brother-in-law with cold precision.But now, he had come back to life. Catherine's return had reignited the spark in him, flooding his world with light once more. He started to smile again, his eyes gleaming with renewed fire

Of course, Rebecca couldn't voice that out aloud, or her parents would flip out, making her escape from this life even harder.Adeline shifted to her familiar lecture mode. "You've been married five years now. It's time to have a kid with him and lock him down. If you don't, plenty of other women will gladly step in. Why are you so clueless? I'm warning you: if you're not pregnant by year's end, don't ever come back."She continued relentlessly. "You're disabled, so we can't rely on you for our retirement. The only thing you're good for is clinging to Vance. Even if you don't think of yourself, think of us. What about your dad and me in our old age? What about your brother?"The nagging grated on Rebecca's nerves. Every time her family squeezed Vance for more, she felt like vanishing into thin air. Their greed trampled her dignity and shredded her self-respect in the marriage.Vance's lavish generosity only fueled their demands, but only she knew how deeply he despised their pettin

"You need a house, right?" Rebecca asked again.Adeline blinked, then nodded, puzzled by her intent."There's a way," Rebecca scoffed."What?" Emmett and Adeline asked in unison, their eyes alight with greedy anticipation.Grabbing her bag, Rebecca declared sarcastically, "I'll divorce Vance, and your girlfriend can marry him instead. Not to mention a house, she gets everything he owns. Cut out the middleman."The trio sat stunned, jaws slack, but Vance burst into laughter, which caught Rebecca off guard. She'd expected offense, but glancing down, she saw amusement lingering on his face.Regardless, dinner was ruined. She turned and strode out, her family too dazed to stop her.She jabbed the elevator button, uncaring how Vance would handle the fallout. As the doors opened, he emerged from the apartment, joining her inside.They descended in tense silence until he pressed B1. "What was that today? Why so fired up?"Rebecca drew a deep breath. "Vance, I gotta ask you something.

It was Josette who had nursed Rebecca tirelessly in the hospital.Memories cascaded through her mind, including Vance's marriage proposal. Her parents had rejoiced that a disabled daughter could land a golden ticket. They had obsessed over his fortune and thought nothing of her.Only Josette had clasped Rebecca's hand, whispering, "No matter what, always love yourself most."She had foreseen the mismatch but couldn't halt it.Gazing out the cab window, Rebecca's eyes stung. "I'm sorry, Grandma. I didn't love myself well."By arrival, night had fallen. Josette's house glowed with warm lights, a beacon soothing Rebecca's weary heart. Tears welled unbidden.She got out of the cab, crossed the yard, and knocked."Who is it?" Josette asked, approaching the door.Upon seeing Rebecca, her eyes sparkled with joy. "Becky? What brings you here?"Rebecca's eyes burned anew. Fearing tears might alarm Josette, Rebecca enveloped her in a hug, whining playfully, "Grandma, I saw the grapes yo

Some pursuits, once abandoned, proved impossible to reclaim.Rebecca lost count of her tumbles, unable to recapture her former spins and leaps. Another fall brought excruciating pain; she collapsed, sweat and tears mingling on her face.She surrendered, knowing it was futile. The doctors had declared dancing impossible five years ago. Now her body was as rigid as bamboo, making revival a distant dream.Sensing a presence outside, she looked up. Josette stood beyond the glass with a man who seemed to be Desmond.How had they connected? And had he witnessed her pathetic display?Panic surged, and the mocking laughter of Vance's friends echoed in her mind."She used to dance, but now she's crippled. What's the difference from being useless?""What can she do for you? Can't socialize; might spill tea at home? Vance, water... Like that, right?""Vance, water. Ah, I fell. Hold me."Terrified, she scrambled to the window, yanking curtains shut in desperation. Huddled behind them, she