Chapter 5 Who's The Father?
Richard stood up, relief softening his features. “Rebecca, thank God you’re alright. I was beginning to worry something terrible had happened. Where did you go last night?”
Rebecca’s lips parted, but no words came out. She didn’t owe them explanations. Not them. Especially not the two people who had destroyed what little was left of her heart.
She turned toward the staircase, hoping to escape to her room before her emotions betrayed her.
But Liam stepped forward, his voice sharp. “Don’t you walk away from me, Rebecca!”
She froze, her fingers tightening around the banister.
“I asked you a question,” he said again, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. His grip was firm, possessive.
“Let go of me,” she said quietly.
But instead of listening, Liam leaned closer. His nose brushed the air near her shoulder and then his expression shifted.
He frowned. “What’s that smell?” he asked, looking at her suspiciously.
Rebecca blinked. “What?”
“That cologne.” His eyes darkened, his voice rising. “It’s not mine. You’ve been with a man!”
“Liam!” Richard’s tone turned stern. “That’s enough! Don’t accuse her of things you don’t know!”
But Liam wasn’t listening. His anger was unraveling into something uglier. “If she wasn’t guilty, she’d deny it. Look at her, she won’t even say anything! You’ve been cheating on me, haven’t you, Rebecca? Haven't I been good to you? Isn't my love enough?”
Rebecca let out a bitter laugh, though it sounded more like a choked sob. “Your love?” she asked in a mocking tone. “You know what? Why don't you keep your love, Liam? I’m done. The engagement is over.”
Vanessa gasped softly, her hand flying to her mouth in exaggerated shock. “Rebecca, how could you say that? How could you do something so evil to someone who's been nothing but good to you? Our parents just died, and you’re out there—sleeping with someone else? You couldn’t even mourn properly! Now, Liam's calling you out and you're breaking up. That's not fair.”
Rebecca’s head snapped toward her stepsister, fury flashing in her eyes. “Don’t you dare talk about mourning, Vanessa. You never cared about my father. You never cared about anyone but yourself.”
Vanessa’s eyes widened as tears welled up. “Why would you say something like that? I’ve always loved this family. I’ve always cared about you and dad.”
“Enough,” Richard said firmly, his tone carrying the weight of exhaustion. “Rebecca, that’s enough. You’re upset, and I understand that, but watch your words. Your father just died yesterday. Don’t start something that’ll divide this family even more.”
Rebecca turned to him, her voice soft but firm. “I know that, Uncle. That’s why I want to honor him properly by starting the burial arrangements.”
Richard nodded slowly, gesturing for them to sit. “Yes. We should do that.”
Rebecca sank into the seat, her eyes fixed on the table but her mind miles away, already burying more than just her father.
She was burying the girl who used to believe in love, family, and trust.
They started talking and making arrangements. The next few days passed in a blur.
The house was filled with mourners, flowers, and condolences that meant nothing.
Rebecca moved through it all like a ghost, doing what was expected of her but feeling nothing.
Vanessa, of course, played the grieving daughter perfectly, crying in front of guests, clinging to Rebecca whenever someone was watching, and whispering empty words of comfort that made Rebecca’s skin crawl.
By the end of the third week, everything had been done. The burial was complete. The condolences stopped coming. The house finally fell silent again.
But peace was nowhere in sight.
It was on a quiet Monday morning when Richard called both Rebecca and Vanessa to the sitting room. The weight in his tone told Rebecca it wasn’t a casual meeting.
When they all sat, Richard folded his hands over his knee, his expression serious but kind. “Rebecca, how are you feeling? You’ve seemed… off lately. I know this has all been hard on you.”
This was why she hated them all. She also lost her mother, yet, Rebecca was the one getting all the attention. Vanessa thought bitterly.
Rebecca offered a faint smile, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m fine, Uncle. Just… tired.”
Richard nodded. “Understandable.” He hesitated for a moment before glancing at both sisters. “I called you two here to tell you something important.”
Vanessa straightened immediately, pretending curiosity, while Rebecca tried to sit still, though a strange unease began to rise in her stomach.
Richard took a deep breath. “It’s about your father’s will. He left something—”
But before he could finish, Rebecca’s vision blurred and a wave of nausea hit her hard. Her stomach twisted violently, and she pressed a hand to her lips.
“Rebecca?” Richard’s voice echoed distantly, concern lacing his tone.
She barely made it to her feet before rushing out of the room.
The next moments were a haze. The sound of Vanessa’s voice calling her name faded as she stumbled down the hallway. She reached the nearest bathroom and fell to her knees, her body wracked with violent heaves.
When the nausea finally subsided, a cold sweat covered her skin. She tried to steady herself against the sink, but the room tilted. Her head felt heavy. She tried to steady herself but darkness swept over her, and before she knew it, her knees went weak and she collapsed.
When Rebecca opened her eyes again, everything was white. The faint beeping of a heart monitor hummed beside her.
She blinked slowly, disoriented. The sterile scent of antiseptic told her she was in a hospital.
Then she heard a familiar voice.
“Rebecca,” Richard said softly, leaning forward in his chair. The deep lines on his face looked sharper than usual. “Thank God you’re awake.”
Rebecca swallowed, her throat dry. “What… what happened?”
Richard hesitated, his voice lowering, even though his anger could be visibly seen. “Who’s the father?”
Rebecca blinked, confused. “Who’s father? What are you talking about?”
Richard let out a long sigh, rubbing a hand over his face. “The father to your damned baby, Rebecca. You’re pregnant. Is it Liam's?”