Filed to story: Rebecca Perry and Vance Bradford Romance Book PDF Free
She would strive to catch up, even if she could no longer dance. She would find her place in other fields. “I-I’m ready to give you an update on my progress too,” she said, her eyes feeling hot and prickly. She felt she owed Lauren more than just a promise. “That would be wonderful,” Lauren replied with a smile as warm and encouraging as ever. Rebecca leaned in close to Lauren’s ear and whispered about her plans to study abroad. “This is fantastic! I knew it! None of my students are quitters!” Lauren exclaimed, gripping her hand tightly in excitement. “And it couldn’t be better timing.
Our troupe has a European tour coming up. You should come along to get a sense of things and start adapting to life over there.”
“I…” Rebecca hesitated, not sure if her legs could handle the trip. She could no longer dance; even walking was a pain for her. And the graduate program she had applied for was in a theoretical field. “Nothing’s impossible,” Lauren encouraged her. “If that accident hadn’t happened, you would have been a member of the youth dance troupe by now.
You can join us in a support role-as a runner, stage manager, or even helping with makeup.” Lauren spoke with such firm conviction, treating Rebecca not as a cripple but as someone fully capable. Rebecca couldn’t help but smile; she loved this feeling of not being defined or pitied because of her disability. Even if she couldn’t dance, she could still contribute in other ways. She wasn’t just a useless invalid. Lauren’s phone vibrated with an incoming message. After reading it, she looked up and said, “It’s my husband.
Would you mind if he joins us?”
“Of course not,” Rebecca replied with a smile, though she felt a bit timid about it. After five years of seclusion, she had grown unaccustomed to meeting new people, but she knew she had to start somewhere. This was her first step. “Then I’ll have him come over,” Lauren said, replying to the message. However, what Rebecca never could have anticipated was that Lauren’s husband turned out to be the very same business contact Vance had met earlier. “Pascal is here on business, and I came along for a few days of leisure, not expecting to run into you.
It’s fate,” Lauren explained. Rebecca noticed that Vance, Catherine, and Pascal were walking together toward the teahouse. When the trio finally arrived at their table, Rebecca remained seated, observing the fascinating shifts in color on Vance’s and Catherine’s faces. “Come take a seat. This is my wife, Lauren. She is a dance teacher,” Pascal said warmly. “And this is the gentleman I’m collaborating with on this trip, Mr. Vance Bradford, along with his wife.” Vance’s hand trembled slightly, and Catherine fidgeted restlessly. They both stared at Rebecca with tense anxiety.
Rebecca simply looked back at them, offering a faint, composed smile. Lauren also made introductions for Rebecca’s benefit. “This is my husband, Pascal.” Then, pointing to Rebecca, she added, “And this is one of my students-the one who had the greatest potential to win the National Dance Championship back in the day.” Vance stiffened at the mention of the contest, and his gaze shifted downward, as if he were attempting to look at Rebecca’s leg. Rebecca detected unmistakable pain in his eyes. Of course, he was in pain. If it hadn’t been for her injury, he would never have married her.
In that case, the woman by his side now could have rightfully been his wife. Rebecca chuckled, “Actually, I am…”
“Ah!” Catherine let out a sharp yelp at just the right moment, interrupting Rebecca mid-sentence. Rebecca paused, looking over. Catherine had spilled the tea, the hot liquid splashing all over her hand and clothes. “I’m so sorry. How embarrassing. This is really rude of me,” she stammered, hurriedly grabbing napkins to wipe it up. “It’s alright,” Lauren said, not understanding the underlying tension, and even helped by passing more tissues.
The episode prevented Rebecca from revealing the truth. But if Rebecca had truly wanted to continue, no one could have stopped her. From across the table, Vance cast her a pleading glance, subtly shaking his head and mouthing, “Don’t say it.” Truth be told, she hadn’t intended to say it in the first place. She had deliberately spoken only half the sentence, just to watch the two of them scramble in panic. Throughout this afternoon tea session, some sat as if on pins and needles, while others remained perfectly at ease.
As Rebecca reached for her teacup, Lauren suddenly noticed something in her hand. “Is that a wedding ring? You’re married? To whom?” The question landed like a bolt from the blue, causing Vance and Catherine to pale dramatically. Rebecca glanced at Vance’s hand resting beside his teacup, a mocking smile curling at the corner of her lips. He had never once worn a wedding ring; the pair from their ceremony had been removed immediately after the wedding and left to gather dust somewhere unknown. “Yes, I’ve been married for five years now,” she replied calmly.”My husband’s last name is Bradford.”
“What a coincidence! ” Vance interjected hastily. The underlying message was clear. He was urging her not to say anything more. ” Yes, he is also involved in business, though his operations aren’t on the same grand scale as Mr. Bradford here, ” Rebecca said, taking a sip of her tea. Through the steam rising from the cup, she could clearly see the relief washing over his face. ” What an incredible coincidence. Next time, be sure to bring him along, and we can all have tea together, ” Pascal said warmly, showing extra courtesy since she was Lauren’s student.
Vance’s expression shifted once more, and Rebecca found it amusing. In their entire five years of marriage, the range of emotions he had displayed didn’t come close to the variety she had witnessed just this afternoon. Given the circumstances, Vance couldn’t linger much longer. After chatting for a short while, he mentioned having other matters to attend to and suggested they wrap up, but he was uneasy about leaving Rebecca there alone, worried she might say something indiscreet. He signaled her with his eyes, urging her to leave as well. Lauren received a phone call.
From the context of the conversation, it seemed someone was seeking her out for something important. Rebecca didn’t want to hold up her instructor’s business any longer, so it was indeed time for her to leave as well. Vance offered politely, ” Where are you guys staying? Let me give you a ride. ” They were lodged at the hotel right next door, so there was no real need for a ride. Still concerned for Rebecca, Lauren asked, ” Rebecca, where do you live? ” Rebecca glanced at Vance before replying with the name of her street and neighborhood.
“Honey, I’ll just take a cab over on my own, ” Lauren said to Pascal. ” You can escort Rebecca home. ” Vance smoothly interjected, ” Actually, we live in the neighborhood right next to hers. We can give her a ride. ” Lauren hesitated, but Rebecca readily agreed, ” That would be great. Thank you, Mr. Bradford. ” Her mocking tone made Vance frown, but she didn’t care. With that decided, Vance, Rebecca, and Catherine took the elevator down to the underground parking lot. Once they reached the place, however, Catherine didn’t continue walking forward with them.
Instead, she stopped at the entrance, smiling brightly with a coquettish tone. ” Alright, you guys go ahead. I’ll just take a cab. Rebecca, I’m handing your husband back to you now. ” What did she mean by handing him back? When had Rebecca ever agreed to lend him out in the first place? Catherine clung to Rebecca’s arm, swaying it playfully in a saccharine manner. ” Please don’t be angry. Today’s misunderstanding really wasn’t intentional. Vance places so much importance on this collaboration, and Mr. and Mrs. Lemke have such a strong marital bond.
Having the partnering couple appear harmonious adds positive points to the project, so we just went along with the mix – up without correcting it. After all, you… ” She subconsciously glanced down at Rebecca’s leg, pressing closer. ” You won’t hold it against us, right?”
“Us? ” Rebecca let out a cold laugh. ” Who exactly are you referring to with ‘ us ‘ ? ” Catherine’s expression changed immediately. Rebecca strongly disliked having strangers cling to her like this, especially when that stranger was Catherine.
Having said her piece, she pulled her arm away, not with so much force. Yet somehow, Catherine stumbled and fell to the ground. ” Rebecca, what are you doing? ” Vance reprimanded. Catherine reacted dramatically, scrambling to her feet and positioning herself to block Vance. She used her entire body to do so, pressing tightly against him. Then, in a pleading voice, she tried to calm him. ” Take it easy, Vance. That little push was just her instinctive reaction, and I couldn’t steady myself. She didn’t mean it. Please don’t argue with her over me. It would make me so sad.” Her performance was so over – the – top that surely only Vance could believe it. Particularly as she blocked him, she made a point of deliberately exposing the scraped area on her wrist for him to see. And on that wrist was the watch she had just purchased – the very same model which Rebecca owned ten. When Vance saw the scrape, his brows knitted together. ” Rebecca, what is the matter with you? You’ve always been so gentle and understanding. Why do you harbor such a strong prejudice against Catherine?”
“Prejudice? ” Rebecca let out a light, incredulous laugh.” What prejudice could I have? After all, she’s already being called Mrs. Bradford. What could I possibly hold against her? ” Vance was rendered speechless. Turning to Catherine, he asked with concern, ” Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, ” Catherine whined, but she deliberately brought her wrist right up to the edge of his chin.
