Chapter 1714 Summer Is Back
As I couldn’t get any more information from Holden, I thought of Rebecca. Perhaps I could probe her to get more clues. I had no other choice for now.
Outside the club, I hung around for a long time but couldn’t bring myself to head in.
To be honest, after the truth was revealed, Ashton wasn’t the only one who couldn’t accept it after hiding the truth for years. As I had labeled myself as the victim for years, I had no idea how to face Rebecca.
I guess even the most hateful person deserved some pity. When I was the cause of her pitiful state, I couldn’t really say that in a confident manner.
A small discrepancy could lead to a great difference. No one could be sure if Rebecca could lead a different life if she hadn’t been sexually assaulted back then.
I was too deep into my thoughts that I only snapped back to reality when someone called my name a few times behind me.
Swiveling around, I saw Rebecca before me. We cross paths again. Before I could figure out what to say, Summer got down from the car behind her and caught my attention.
“Mommy,” Summer greeted me calmly. Her tone was flat, and I could not decipher any emotions from it.
She didn’t inform me when she decided to leave the country, and now she was back with Rebecca in tow. I couldn’t help but think of the worst. Furrowing my brows, I demanded in an authoritative manner, “Why didn’t you go home now that you’re back in the country?”
“You’re not even her biological mother. Does her whereabouts concern you?” Rebecca was as sharp as usual.
I ignored her and waited for Summer’s answer patiently.
Summer glanced at Rebecca and looked down instead of replying to me.
Her silence proved she was on Rebecca’s side, creating an invisible wall between me and them. We were standing face to face, but it seemed like there was a bridge between us that we could never cross.
I didn’t want to force Summer or watch as she took the wrong path. Thus, I did my best to salvage things. “Things have been pretty rough lately. You should move back home as soon as possible. Greg and Audrey miss you a lot.”
After a pause, I added, “Moreover, I’m worried about leaving you alone, too.”
Summer remained unfazed. Her pretty eyes were as calm as a lake, and I couldn’t figure out what was on her mind.
She nodded as though she couldn’t get used to my kind words. After giving me a pursed smile, she walked into the club.
Rebecca burst out in giggles. “Oh, I’ve taken a liking to her. She’s interesting.”
That wasn’t good news to me. I frowned at her gloating figure, at a loss for words.
Seeing my reaction, Rebecca stopped giggling and glared at me. Then, she wanted to leave too.
When she walked past me, I finally plucked up the courage to ask, “Where is Ashton?”
Her footsteps halted as she turned to look at her. Surprise and arrogance flashed across her face. “Did I hear it right? Aren’t you stuck together like glue? Why are you asking me where he is?”
“Are you begging me for help?” Rebecca raised her voice, attracting the passers-by’s attention. Her sense of competition was invoked, and she continued to raise her voice. “I said, are you begging for my help?”
Well, Rebecca was her usual self. Though she had a new face, her heart was still as black as tar. The only way for her to gain happiness was to trample on someone else’s dignity.
I knew that giving in might make things worse, but I felt guilty. Words failed me. Just like Ashton’s countless hesitations back then, when I had to face someone who took the blame for me, my previous presumptuous statements pricked at my heart and corroded my soul.
“Get on your knees.” Rebecca’s voice rang out clearly. “If you kneel down before me, I might consider telling you something about Ashton.”
She crossed her arms arrogantly, enjoying the excitement of dominating me.
I had only one thought in my mind. If I kneel before Rebecca, does that mean that we’re even now?
