Filed to story: Rebecca Perry and Vance Bradford Romance Book PDF Free
Vance’s first act upon entering was to present the gifts: cigars, whiskey, cash, and the mysterious box. When it was opened, Rebecca discovered it contained a set of fishing gear. Her father, Soren Perry, had recently taken up fishing as a hobby, but this set cost a staggering six figures. ” Wow, you really got it for me? ” Soren exclaimed with delight. ” Fantastic!” So, he had specifically requested this extravagant set. The audacity disgusted her.
“Dad, can you have a little shame? ” Rebecca snapped, unable to fathom her family’s sudden extravagance. They’d always been an ordinary household. How could they afford, or even dream of, six figures? Their savings over the years barely scraped that amount. Soren exploded in rage. ” Mind your language, you ungrateful brat!”
“Yeah! I’m ungrateful! No one’s taught me how to shamelessly beg for stuff! ” she shot back. Soren raised his hand to strike her, but Vance swiftly stepped between them, pulling her into a protective embrace.
The blow landed squarely on his body instead. ” You little punk, ruining my good mood! I’ll beat the crap out of you! ” Soren spluttered. Vance turned, shielding her as he faced Soren. The latter deflated, forcing a smile. ” Rebecca’s got no manners. Don’t mind her.”
“She’s been moody lately, ” Vance said smoothly. ” Cut her some slack. ” Soren caught the unspoken warning against hitting Rebecca. Gazing up at the man towering protectively over her, Rebecca felt a surge of bittersweet sorrow. He was defending her now, but what good was it?
She no longer cared about her family’s cruelty. Where had this protectiveness been when she needed it the most? Vance had always been skilled at drawing boundaries based on his loyalties. He wouldn’t let Soren hit her, but if the conflict involved his friends or Catherine, it would be a different story. Sensing the tension, Adeline hurried over to defuse it, her smile apologetic. ” Come on, everyone, take a seat. I just made some tea. Soren, show some hospitality. ” Soren seized the excuse to back down, and Adeline served Vance a cup. ” What’s bothering Rebecca?” Vance settled into a chair, his arm draping casually over Rebecca’s shoulder as he glanced her way. ” Probably mad at me. Or tired of me? I’m not sure. Maybe she met someone better out there?”
“No way! ” Adeline dismissed the idea instantly. ” How could she find anyone better? Her condition only scares people away. ” Rebecca’s heart plummeted, though she wasn’t surprised. It was the unspoken consensus, even from her own family, that besides Vance, no one would want a cripple like her.
Still tinkering with his new fishing gear, Soren chimed in roughly, ” With a great guy like Vance, what more do you want? If you dare cheat on him, I’ll break your other leg!”
“Break them now! ” Rebecca surged to her feet, but Vance gently held her back. ” That’s enough. ” Turning to Soren, he suggested smoothly, ” Wanna try out the new rod? ” Soren’s face lit up. ” Sure thing! ” Vance leaned down, his voice softening as he stroked her hair. ” I’ll go fishing with Soren. You stay and chat with your mom. ” Come on, let’s go, ” Soren urged.
Vance got up and left with him. The moment the door clicked shut, Adeline plopped down beside her and launched into a scolding. ” Are you out of your mind? Vance is such a catch, and instead of treating him right, you’re picking fights? Other women would kill to be with a man like him. You hit the jackpot, and you don’t even appreciate it. If he leaves, good luck finding another rich husband. ” Rebecca sneered, ” You mean, good luck finding another sucker as your son – in – law. ” Adeline’s expression soured. ” You really don’t know what’s good for you.
Let me be clear: If you chase him off, don’t bother coming back. You’re useless ; can’t even keep a man happy. ” Little did she know that Rebecca was planning to divorce Vance.
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 himn 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 pettiness deep down. Yet they deluded themselves into thinking he genuinely liked them. Rebecca couldn’t endure it any longer. ” Enough!
If you keep hounding Vance for stuff or money, I’ll just divorce him! ” Undaunted, Adeline scoffed, ” You? Divorce him? Planning to beg on the streets? How would you survive without him? Got some guy on the side? What could they possibly want – your limp? Your uselessness? Or your age? ” That was her mother and the toxic atmosphere of this house. No wonder she dreaded every visit ; each one was pure torment. ” Fine! Then I’m out! I’ll go beg right now! ” She stood up and stormed toward the door. ” With that limp, how far will you get? ” Adeline sneered.” Don’t embarrass yourself and us. When he gets back and asks, should I tell him you went out hustling? ” Rebecca froze at the door, her back to Adeline. She bit her lip until it bled, desperately holding back her tears. Hustling. That was likely Adeline’s highest aspiration for her, in whatever form it took. As a child, when Rebecca wanted dance lessons, Adeline had snapped, ” Why learn dance like some floozy out to sell herself?” Later, swayed by who – knows – what, she’d conceded and begun to believe that dance built poise, making girls more marketable to rich men for better prices. In a cruel twist, Rebecca had fulfilled that vision, selling herself dearly, at the cost of her leg. Every minute in this house suffocated her, yet she couldn’t leave. If she did, her parents might unleash even wilder demands on Vance. Seeing her rooted in place, Adeline snorted triumphantly. ” Thought you were tougher than that.
“Vance and Soren returned from fishing as evening fell, joined by her brother, Emmett Perry, who had hurried home for dinner. Soren burst in, loudly praising Vance’s luck. Vance had reeled in a bounty, while Soren caught nothing. Adeline swiftly joined the flattery chorus. Rebecca was accustomed to their sycophantic displays, but they still turned her stomach. Adeline summoned everyone to the table, and Soren uncorked a bottle of whiskey, proclaiming loudly, ” Thanks to Vance, I get to taste this. I’d never afford it.” Vance responded with good – natured patience, but Rebecca squirmed in her seat. Emmett exchanged sly glances with Adeline, followed by a nudge, Rebecca caught it, knowing they were up to no good.
“Here, have a drumstick.” Adeline eagerly served Vance with tongs. ” No, no, give it to Soren. It’s his special day, ” Vance replied, shifting his plate aside. Rebecca snorted inwardly, knowing the real reason. Vance disliked their bland cooking ; he craved spice but detested grease. That pallid chicken, slick with oil, hit every aversion. Yet Adeline’s zeal was unstoppable. She piled his plate high with food. 1 Watching Vance’s concealed discomfort, Rebecca felt a flicker of schadenfreude.
In the past, she’d discreetly transfer portions to her plate to spare him, but not today. He’d have to deal with it himself. He cast pleading glances her way, but she feigned ignorance. Resigned, he nibbled slowly, struggling with each bite. Adeline turned to her. ” Becky… ” Here it came again. The affectionate appellation always signaled a favor aimed at Vance, but routed through Rebecca. Adeline was cunning in that aspect, complaining to Rebecca and guilt – trapping Vance. That was Rebecca’s role here – a mere conduit. ” Becky, ” Adeline beamed, her eyes crinkling.
“We’ve got good news at home! ” Rebecca offered no response. Their ” good news ” never included her, unless it involved extracting money. Undeterred by the silence, Adeline plowed on. ” Emmett has got a girlfriend. ” Rebecca remained mute, but Vance chimed in politely, ” That’s great. Congrats. ” Rebecca sneered inwardly. ” Congrats? How much is that worth in cash?”
“Yeah, we’re thrilled. It’s just… ” Adeline lit up, then sighed. ” Her family’s demands are so high. They insist on a new house before marriage.”
“A new house? ” Rebecca frowned.” Isn’t this one already bought for Emmett’s wedding? ” Years ago, they had guilted Vance into funding it under the same pretext. Adeline winced dramatically. ” Girls these days are so picky. She won’t accept a lived – in place ; it has to be brand new, with her name on the deed.”
“So? What’s that got to do with me? ” Rebecca interrupted. ” I don’t have money – not a dime. ” Vance tried to speak, but she stomped on his foot under the table. With pretense dropped, Adeline turned pleading eyes to him. ” We’re out of options. Consider it a loan. We’ll pay it back.”
“With what? ” Rebecca cut in again. ” Got another daughter to sell off? Or should I break my other leg? ” Fueled by the whiskey, Soren slammed his fist on the table, rattling the dishes. Undaunted, Rebecca set down her knife and fork. ” No need to bang the table – just hit me. Kill me and end everyone’s misery.”
