Chapter 21
She slid the check toward me, her pleading eyes locking with mine.
Tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I sat upright, willing myself to stay composed.
“Mrs. Douglas,” I said, my voice cold but steady, “I appreciate everything you‘ ve done for me. Without your support,
I
wouldn’t have been able to achieve my
dreams.
“But have you ever considered that I never asked for more than an education? I worked hard for every scholarship, every opportunity. Even in Italy, I lived independently, without troubling you. So why?”
My voice cracked slightly. “Why do you treat me as if I’m something that can be bought?”
Gale’s mother’s face softened with regret.
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Chapter 21
Her hands trembled slightly as she clasped them together. “Rachel, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.
“This check, it’s not just money. Think of it as a guarantee, my way of ensuring that Gale will never hurt you again. Because there’s nothing else I can offer you.”
Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, I hesitated.
But then, a sharp wave of anger and heartbreak surged through me, breaking
the silence.
I stood, taking a shaky breath.
“Mrs. Douglas,” I said, my voice firm but trembling slightly, “thanks to your generosity, I’ve saved enough to live comfortably for the next ten years. I’m grateful, truly. But rather than enduring more pain with your son, I’d rather live
alone.
“It may sound harsh,” I continued, rising from my seat, “but the four years I gave to
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Chapter 21
your son should be enough to repay my debt of gratitude to you. I have nothing. more to give.”
I bowed my head, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Thank you for everything. It hope you recover soon.”
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out of the VIP room. A single tear slipped down my cheek, betraying the whirlwind of emotions I tried so hard to
suppress.
Outside the room, Gale was leaning against. the wall.
When he saw me, his eyes immediately illed with concern. He stepped forward, grabbing my arm gently.
“Rachel,” he said, his voice full of worry, “why are you crying?”
I pulled my arm free from his grip, glaring at him. “Did you ask your mother to persuade me to come back to you?”
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“Rachel, I….”
“You told me you would sign the papers soon,” I cut him off, my voice rising slightly. “But it seems I can’t trust a single word you say, Gale.”
He opened his mouth to respond, but I didn’t give him the chance. I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving him standing in stunned silence.
My heart ached more than I could express.
After that day, I did not hear anything from the Douglas family.
I poured myself into preparing for Hazel and Louise‘ s baby’s first birthday celebration at Kim Manor, hoping to focus. on something joyous and meaningful.
But my hope of avoiding the Douglas family entirely was dashed when Gritte arrived as their representative.
“You!” she hissed, her voice low but
laced with venom.
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