I shrugged my shoulders and said coldly, “Since the day you’re born, you’ve been living under the protection of your parents and your brother, Parker. When they’re gone, Ashton and Joe were there to take care of you. I never understood how a woman can be as ignorant as you. The passing of your parents and brother didn’t knock some sense into you and make you realize that you can’t depend on others forever. What are you going to do if Ashton and Joe are no longer with you one day? Have you ever thought about how you’re going to live? All these years of enjoying what you’ve not worked for causes you to forget how you should live!”
“So what? Even if I know nothing, someone will support and take care of me. This is something that you’ll never have.” She was all puffed up.
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Yeah, you’re right. You indeed have the ability to have someone to support and take care of you. In this world, there’re many incompetent people who can still live very well, just like you. Now I understand why Ashton chose to love and marry me, even though he met you first. Joe used to be so smitten by you, but now he admires the ambitious Kristina even more. Rebecca, you never understood that a man will take care of you solely because of a belief. As time passes, he’ll eventually give up on a worthless woman like you. You’re like a plastic bag which someone threw away. Not only are you useless, but you pollute the environment and are an eyesore as well. People are eventually going to resent you and send you for destruction. I don’t know how you can be so proud of your inability, but let me warn you. Trash is bound to be destroyed one day.”
“You…” Provoked by my harsh words, she jumped to her feet, trembling with rage. Even her finger which was pointing at me quivered. “How dare you humiliate me this way? Who the hell do you think you are? Scarlett, what’s the difference between you and me? You think you’re amazing just because you’re pregnant. Don’t be such a fool. You can still have a miscarriage anytime!”
Watching her lunge at me with a malicious look, I immediately perceived that she was about to do something to me. I became cautious and was ready to defend myself. However, before Rebecca touched me, someone shielded me in his arms and shoved Rebecca onto the floor.
Ashton’s frigid voice sounded beside my ear. “This is the last time I’m going to warn you. If you ever hurt her again, I’ll not let you off the hook.”
Sitting on the floor, Rebecca was dumbstruck. Her reddened eyes were fixed on us. Wait, no. She was looking at Joe, who just came over and stood next to me, staring at her coldly. Usually, in circumstances like this, he would hold her up with much care and concern.
But this time, he kept his hands in the pockets. The way he eyed her was as though he was only looking at a stranger.
Her eyes misted over, and tears escaped the corners of her eyes. “Why does everybody bully me? I’m the one who got hurt. Why do you still bully me? Is it only because I don’t have a family?”
“That’s enough!” Joe suddenly yelled with an icy stare. “Are you done? You’re so disgusting. It’s been over ten years, but you’re still putting on the same show. Haven’t you gotten enough of it?”
Joe’s sudden outburst of anger was out of my expectation, probably Rebecca’s too. The woman gawked blankly at him in utter disbelief. “What are you talking about?”
“Hah!” Joe scoffed. “You heard me, Rebecca. Haven’t you ever feel grossed out by yourself? How long are you going to act pitiful? Do you think that all of us are brainless fools after all these years? I didn’t expose you only for the sake of your brother. Yet, you do it again and again, refusing to change yourself. If that’s the case, go back to J City and never show up in front of me again. Both Ashton and I have done everything we should for you over the years. Just leave and don’t come back to us again.”
Baffled, Rebecca was at a loss for words as she gaped at him. The woman couldn’t believe her ears, so she asked again, “What do you mean?”
Joe frowned, replying in a stern voice, “I’m asking you to stop sticking around in K City so shamelessly. Pack your things and go back to J City.”
In an instant, Rebecca turned ashen-faced, as if she was traumatized. She turned to look at Ashton, trying to choke back her tears. “Ash, are you going to ignore me too?”
The man was still holding me. His gaze was dark and gloomy. “Fifteen years ago, I promised your brother to take care of you, because you were still a minor then. Now that you’re an adult, you’ve nothing to do with me anymore.”
I was mildly surprised that Ashton was willing to let go of her. Nonplussed, I stared at him. He noticed it and placed his hand on my tummy. A warm, fuzzy feeling shot through me.
Suddenly, a rueful smile spread across Rebecca’s face. “Now I know that everything is fake. Your promises, affection, love are all fake. You liars and hypocrites!”
