Lahat ng Kabanata ng Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

Rebecca was startled, thinking it was something related to her studying abroad.When she leaned over to check, however, she realized it was simply her conversation with the brand's salesperson.Vance was reading the specific part where the salesperson had thanked her for her long-standing support of the brand.Rebecca: [No worries. I'm with the spokesperson.]After checking the brand's spokesperson, Vance tossed the phone back to her. "Didn't expect you to be a fangirl. So, that's why you've stuck to this one brand for years, using my money to fawn over some male celebrity?"Actually, he was mistaken about that. She had supported the previous spokesperson.The chat history he was viewing dated back to last year, and the spokesperson at that time had been her old classmate from the dance academy.Although her own dancing dreams were shattered forever, seeing her former classmate shine on screen filled her with genuine joy, and in her own quiet way, she showed support by buying th

Rebecca's hoarse cries fell on deaf ears as Vance's actions became increasingly excessive, stripping away her defenses until she felt utterly exposed.She suspected he was bare, given the slick press of his skin against hers, which filled her with a paralyzing dread.Despair gripped her tightly, and she realized that tonight, she might lose everything."Stop! I hate you!" she yelled, her voice filled with genuine resentment.She was on the brink of starting a new life brimming with hope, yet here he was, dragging her back into the abyss.In the wake of despair came an eerie calm. Her strength was no match for his frenzy, so she'd better plan for the worst. Above all, she couldn't let this pull her back into his toxic orbit.Tomorrow, emergency contraception would be her top priority. She couldn't let this derail her escape. After tonight, only 20 days remained in her countdown to freedom.She had endured it for five years, and 20 days would just fly by.As her resistance faded,

"Vance, are you tired from going out so early? Can't you wait a bit to check out over there?" Aiden griped."If I'd delayed, she'd have bolted at dawn," Vance replied coolly."So? She'd still fly home eventually," Aiden countered.Vance paused, then sighed, "I guess you're right. I was just pissed.""I'd be raging too," another guy chimed in. "Spending your money and cheating? You don't want someone like that to be your wife.""She's begging for a wake-up call," Lucas Lewis echoed. "You're too soft, Vance. A solid smack might straighten her out."Rebecca's lips curled in a bitter smile. Birds of a feather flocked together. They wouldn't spend a day without badmouthing her."Cut it out," Catherine interjected. "Vance is hurting enough without you piling on; honestly, if he weren't so generous, you'd all be nowhere. And a crook in his shoes? You'd starve."Silence fell briefly.Aiden nodded. "Spot on. Without his loyalty, we wouldn't be this tight-knit, but Catherine, you get hi

"I agree with Aiden on this point," Lucas said, elaborating further on his thoughts. "It's the same kind of tactic she used when she suddenly started associating with Mr. Mueller's son. Just think about it: that family has built an enormous business empire, which means their son has been surrounded by wealth and privilege since birth. What type of woman hasn't he encountered? There must be an endless line of aspiring actresses and celebrities vying for his attention. Would someone like him truly take notice of Rebecca?""Come on, you guys, don't talk about Rebecca like that," Catherine interjected, reproachful. "Vance might feel uncomfortable. But hey, what Lucas is saying isn't entirely wrong. It's simply a statement of fact. As a woman myself, I understand that kind of mindset all too well. It's designed to catch attention and stir up emotions. I've tried such things before."Vance's voice finally cut through the escalating conversation, bringing an end to the morning's chaotic drama

Rebecca returned their stares with a calm smile.Gradually, Vance's laughter subsided, and one by one, the others followed suit.She locked eyes with him and asked pointedly, "Is it really that funny?"His jaw tightened, but he said nothing.She pressed on. "Does it amuse you to join others in mocking your own wife?"He remained speechless, unable to formulate a response."Rebecca..." Catherine began, her eyes welling up with tears as if she were about to launch into another performance.Wanting no part in it, Rebecca slipped on her headphones to tune out the noises. Whatever complaints Catherine might have whispered to Vance afterward no longer mattered to her. If only she could erase ever having known any of them.For the rest of the journey, she had no further interactions with the group.The plane landed, and it was time to retrieve luggage from the overhead bins. Catherine put on an exaggerated display of capability, pulling open the compartment cover and turning to Vance