Chapter 5.
944 Words
and her cheeks began to fill with tears.
She detested herself for being worthless and frail!
The door opened abruptly again, and she heard Charles's voice in a sudden, unexpected tone, his words hitting her heart like hail.
"Have you managed to woo me yet?"
He smiled and asked, but his voice was eerie.
She cleaned her cheeks hastily, but there was no need to speculate. He would already overheard her talking to her mother.
What difference does it make, though?
She was no longer concerned.
She was just a money-loving, power-hungry woman, as far as he was concerned.
Nothing needs to be concealed.
"Oh, I was just thinking," she brightly smiled as she lifted the cover. I just have no idea what kind of woman Mr. Hall would like in the modern world."
Charles's grin vanished, giving way to a shocked expression. He moved deeper into the space, his eyes searching Rebecca as though to find the secret she was hiding from him.
With a quiet, serious voice, he said, "Rebecca, you can drop the charade." "I have known you for a long enough time to see past your appearance. What is happening?"
Rebecca's heart was racing in her chest as her smile wavered. She was not prepared for Charles to come right up to her. She paused for a bit, then spoke, a little trembling in her voice.
"You heard everything there was to hear?" With a tone that blended resistance and resignation, she questioned.
Charles softened his expression somewhat and nodded. "Yes, I did. And I apologise that you had to experience it."
Rebecca's surprised eyes grew wide. She did not think Charles would be sympathetic to her predicament. He was, she had always thought, purely ambitious and power-hungry, and he was cold and heartless. Now, though, she could not help but feel a glimmer of optimism, seeing the concern in his eyes.
Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper when she said, "Why are you sorry?"
Charles answered with conviction, "Because no one should be treated the way your parents treat you." "Rebecca, you deserve better. And I wish to assist you in locating it."
Rebecca's eyes filled with tears as she heard Charles's comments. She felt seen and understood for the first time in her life—not as a tool to be exploited for the benefit of others, but as a real person with aspirations and goals of her own.
She murmured, her voice choking with emotion, "Thank you, Charles. "I appreciate you seeing me."
Charles extended his hand to gently dab Rebecca's tears from her cheeks. His voice was barely audible as he whispered, "I will always see you, Rebecca." "And I will be here for you no matter what."
Rebecca experienced a wave of warmth and connection as Charles drew her into his arms. She was confident that they could overcome any obstacle as long as they confronted it together, regardless of the difficulties that lay ahead.
She closed her eyes and allowed herself to let go of the suffering and uncertainty that had afflicted her for so long after having that idea. She found the courage to hope for a better future in Charles's embrace, one in which happiness and love would not remain abstract concepts but would instead be real, awaiting her discovery.
Rebecca sank more into Charles's hug, his warmth a sharp contrast to the cold feelings that had seized her a few seconds earlier. But despite her newfound security, a persistent uncertainty bit the corner of her mind.
She mumbled against his chest, "Why?" "Why do you assist me?"
Charles took a small step back and looked into her eyes. "Rebecca, it is wrong what they are doing to you. Nobody should be considered a possession." His gaze grew softer. Moreover, you are not who they believe you to be.
A beat skipped by Rebecca's heart. Was he saying that he was aware of her true nature? A harsh knock on the door broke the shaky silence before she could ask the question.
"Rebecca! The air caught her mother's fake cheerfulness as she said, "There you are." "A highly significant guest is waiting for us downstairs."
Rebecca tensed up. It could not be much worse. Charles's gaze furrowed and his grip tightened around her arm.
"Who is it?" he said in a menacingly low voice.
Her mother said, "Mr. Thorne," with a hint of anxiety beneath her normally stern voice. "He came here to discuss the business proposal we talked about."
Rebecca felt a shock of energy at the name. Mr. Thorne. the vicious business magnate renowned for his brutal methods and hostile takeovers. Her belly churned. She could never have imagined anything worse than this.
"Tell him I am not interested," Rebecca yelled, her defiant tone growing stronger.
Her mum sneered. "Rebecca, stop being so foolish. This is your opportunity to protect your future."
"You do not get to take chances with my future!" Rebecca shot back, getting angrier. A glimmer of hope flickered in her eyes as she turned to face Charles. Charles, tell her. I will not do it, tell her."
With a determined sparkle in his eyes, Charles met her gaze. "Mrs. Evans, LiRebecca has the right to follow her own path," he stated in an unexpectedly stern voice. Maybe you should think again before forcing her to do something she obviously does not want to."
Her mother's sudden intake of breath was the only sound to break the strained silence that surrounded them.
At last, with a tone full with snobbery, she added, "Mr. Hall, you are a visitor in this house." This concerns the family."
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