Chapter 10 Becca is Not Afraid!
That night, Rebecca didn't sleep well.
In her dreams, Henry kept drifting further away. No matter how much she cried for him, he never turned back.
All around her were creditors with sinister looks, shouting that if she didn't repay her debts, they would sell her off.
But whether it was crying or cursing, it all ended in a flash.
The embrace that held her tightly, gently stroking her hair while repeatedly saying, "Don't be afraid, Becca," felt as tender as Alexa's.
The faint scent was like a soothing charm, and Rebecca gradually fell asleep.
When she opened her eyes again, the room was bright with daylight.
She sleepily looked around the familiar yet unfamiliar room. It took a while for Rebecca to realize this wasn't Izzy's place.
This was Pinewood Mansion.
Her and Frederick's home.
And last night was their first night sharing a bed.
She quickly turned around to find the space beside her empty.
Realizing Frederick had already left, Rebecca subconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
She looked down, feeling momentarily confused.
She was holding a dark blue sleeve in her arms.
One hand was clutching the collar of a robe.
Rebecca blinked.
Thinking about her wild and free-spirited sleeping posture.
Thinking about how she clung to Frederick like a koala.
Then thinking about Frederick's darkened expression, but because she was his wife, he had to take off his robe and let her hold it, leaving with a sullen face.
Rebecca: !
Before Rebecca could finish feeling embarrassed about her overconfidence and relieved that she woke up late enough to avoid facing Frederick.
The next moment, the doorway darkened.
Looking up, she saw Frederick standing at the bedroom door.
Frederick's face was calm.
Not the rage she had imagined.
Their eyes met, and Rebecca's mind went blank for a moment.
What should she say?
Should she say, "Frederick, I'm sorry, I've been a restless sleeper since I was a kid"?
Or should she say, "Frederick, thank you for not minding, I'll try to sleep more peacefully tonight"?
Before Rebecca could decide, Frederick had already walked over to the bed, "Did you sleep well? If you're rested, get up, wash up, and eat something. We need to visit the old house."
Even though there wouldn't be a wedding, they still had to inform the family.
Rebecca instantly understood.
"Okay, I'll get up right away!"
Like a rabbit, Rebecca threw off the covers, jumped out of bed, and dashed into the bathroom.
The sound of running water.
Rebecca's casual humming.
And the sound of brushing her teeth.
Even though there was just one more person, the cold, empty bedroom, and the entire mansion seemed to come to life.
Looking down at the robe he had worn, thinking about last night, Frederick's eyes softened.
After breakfast, the Maybach drove out of Pinewood Mansion, heading straight for the Windsor Mansion.
The last time she came, it was for a matchmaking meeting.
This time, she was already Frederick's wife.
Thinking about Elizabeth holding her hand that day, smiling and asking what she liked to eat and play, Rebecca couldn't help but blush.
"No need to be nervous..."
Frederick turned his head and saw Rebecca's shy expression, "Grandma is very nice, she won't make things difficult for you. As for the others, don't mind what they say or do."
No matter how harsh the words, she had heard so many in the past week that she was immune to them.
Rebecca smiled and nodded, "Okay!"
The car stopped in front of the Windsor Mansion's garage, Rebecca opened the door, and before she could grab the handle, she saw Frederick walking around the front of the car to pick her up.
The snow was knee-deep, and Frederick carried her, stepping carefully.
He didn't put her down until they were inside the gate.
Rebecca's heart raced for the umpteenth time.
She couldn't help but think of that Christmas.
The Getty family was strict, and even though she was always well-behaved, they didn't allow her to go out at night.
When she turned 18 and got engaged to Dennis, her parents' control loosened a bit.
She could stay out a little later but still wasn't allowed to stay out overnight.
On Christmas Eve, she followed Dennis to a party in a suite at The Skyline Grand Hotel with his friends.
At 11 PM, she said she wanted to go home, and Dennis's friends all teased her, saying the night was just beginning.
Dennis also found her a buzzkill but eventually drove her home.
The snow wasn't as thick as it was today.
The car stopped in front of the Getty family villa, and Dennis didn't even get out of the car.
He joked that she was 18 but still acted like a goody-two-shoes with no mind of her own.
He urged her to hurry home because he had to get back.
The car door opened to a snowy scene, and as she entered the house, the snow melted into water in her boots.
The next day, she pouted at Dennis.
He said, "Who told you to insist on going home? If you stayed at the hotel, nothing would have happened."
At the time, she thought Dennis was just playful, and her anger quickly passed.
But now, looking back, Rebecca felt she had been foolish.
"Rebecca!"
The cold voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
She met Frederick's scrutinizing gaze.
If Frederick had been thinking of an ex-girlfriend while holding her, even if this marriage lacked love, she would still be upset.
Her actions were quicker than her thoughts.
Pretending nothing had happened, Rebecca stepped forward, took Frederick's arm, and slipped her hand into his palm, "Frederick, let's go inside, it's so cold!"
Rebecca looked guilty.
One hand was as cold as ice.
Frederick's gaze fell on her flushed ears, and he tightened his grip on her hand as they walked forward together.
As people age, they sleep less. Elizabeth, as usual, had been up since before six.
Now, at ten, it was time for her to take a nap.
But Frederick had said he would come back.
Fighting off sleep, Elizabeth dozed, waiting.
The sound of footsteps in the yard, along with the old butler's excited "Mrs. Windsor," made Elizabeth look up with a grumpy expression.
In the next moment, her mouth half-open, she was stunned.
Her grandson, who preferred business trips over matchmaking, who ran faster than a rabbit when he heard there were eligible women at home, was now holding the arm of a beautiful young woman.
Even though he still had a stern face, she could tell Frederick had fallen in love.
When Frederick said they were already married, Elizabeth instantly woke up, her sleepiness gone. She smiled so broadly that the wrinkles on her face deepened.
After lunch.
Putting down her utensils, Elizabeth smiled and waved at Rebecca, "Becca, come with me..."
Elizabeth was old but still in good health.
She had Rebecca sit on the couch and made several trips in and out.
In no time, the table in front of the couch was filled with a dozen boxes of various sizes.
Some of the boxes looked older than Elizabeth herself.
The treasures inside must be incredibly valuable.
Frederick's eyes flashed with amusement as he watched Rebecca's overwhelmed expression.
"Frederick..."
The call made Frederick step forward.
"I want to have a private chat with Becca..."
Clearly wanting to send Frederick away, Elizabeth patted his hand and whispered, "Go check on Alex."
Instinctively turning back, he met Rebecca's smiling eyes, and Frederick's heart skipped a beat.