Chapter 326 How Can He Still Be Alive?
+25 BONUS
Chapter 326 How Can He Still Be Alive?
‘Eat something first.‘ He used the serving spoon to heap a generous portion of seafood linguine onto my plate.” Look at you, you’ve lost weight. I don’t get it. He’s hurt you this badly. Why are you still with him? Is it just to spite me? Even if it is, hasn’t it gone on long enough?‘ His frown was full of what looked like genuine concern.
‘Rhys, I don’t have all day. If you’re not going to talk, I’m leaving.‘ I wasn’t in the mood for his games.
‘You always were stubborn.‘ He sighed. ‘Look, I know I wasn’t a good man. When I was with you, my heart was still with Catherine. I was cold to you. I admit all that. But it takes one to know one. And because I’ve been there, I understand what Ashton’s doing. His behaviour over Genevieve speaks for itself. He’s hiding things from you for another woman’s sake. Whatever his reasons are, whatever excuses he might have, the fact is, he lied. He betrayed you. How is that any different from when I was seeing Catherine behind your back?‘
I wanted to argue, to yell that Ashton wasn’t like him, that at least he’d never slapped me over a mug that belonged to Genevieve.
But even to my own ears, it sounded like a weak defence.
Rhys went on, ‘When you truly love someone, you don’t hold back. It should be all or nothing. Like… like how you were with me.‘
I looked away. Being reminded of how much I’d once loved–no, worshipped–Rhys was like revisiting my most embarrassing history. I didn’t want to think about it. It just reminded me what a fool I’d been.
‘It took me a long time to realise that,‘ Rhys said softly. ‘Mirabelle, I truly regret what I did. Can’t we start over?‘
I frowned at him. ‘Rhys, what’s the point of all this? You know I don’t love you anymore. So don’t bother trying to talk me into leaving Ashton for you. If that’s all you wanted, you’ve wasted your time. I’m leaving.‘ I stood up to go.
‘Your father,‘ Rhys blurted out.
I froze. ‘What about my father?‘
‘He’s not dead.‘
I stared at him in disbelief. ‘How is that possible? He died in prison. Ashton told me himself.‘
‘And Ashton wasn’t lying,‘ Rhys said. ‘At least, not back then. But the prison made a mistake. The man they thought was Franklin Vance was someone else. There was a mix–up in the records when they rushed him to hospital.‘
I sank back into my chair. ‘I don’t understand.‘
‘Neither do I,‘ Rhys admitted. ‘All I know is, Franklin’s not in prison anymore. And he’s not dead.‘
‘How do you know this?‘
Rhys gave a bitter smile. ‘You know my old man disowned me?‘
I nodded.
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Chapter 326 How Can He Still Be Alive?
‘He’s fawning over his bastard son Daniel now. Doesn’t give a damn about me. But at least my mum still cares whether I live or die. I went back to see her, and I overheard my father talking about Franklin in his study.‘
I leaned forward. ‘What else did you hear?‘
Rhys shook his head. “That’s all. The door was thick. I couldn’t make out every word. Didn’t know who he was talking to, maybe on the phone, maybe someone was with him. But I caught enough to know Franklin’s alive and
out.‘
‘Where is he now?‘
‘No idea. I wanted to ask, but the old man wouldn’t even look at me.‘ He sneered. “Then Daniel came upstairs and I had to leave.‘
My mind was reeling. My father was still alive? How could that be? How could the prison mess up that badly?
I was still trying to process it when Rhys added, ‘I thought you should know. Especially since you’re the reason he went down. I was worried he might come after you.‘
He was right, in a way. Well, partly. It was actually Ashton who’d arranged Franklin’s arrest, but he’d only done it for me.
‘I don’t think that’ll happen,‘ I said, though I wasn’t sure I believed it.
After all, growing up, Franklin had never paid me much attention. He’d always wanted a son, and when Caroline only gave him daughters, he’d rather dote on his nephew than look at me.
Still, I refused to believe he’d want to hurt me.
Rhys said something else, but I’d stopped listening.
I knew who I should call to check if this was true. If Franklin was really out, the first person he’d contact would be Caroline.
But I didn’t have her number anymore, and I had no idea where she was living now.
Besides, she hated my guts. She’d never tell me even if I asked.
I was so lost in thought that I didn’t hear Rhys until he raised his voice. ‘Mirabelle?‘
‘What?‘ I looked up.
‘You alright?‘
I’m fine.‘ I wasn’t.
I glanced at the food on my plate, but my appetite was gone. I asked for the bill and stood. “Thanks for telling me. I have to go.‘
‘I understand.‘ This time, Rhys didn’t try to stop me.
I didn’t go back to the studio. My head was spinning, and I needed to walk, to think.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 326 How Can He Still Be Alive?
I wandered aimlessly down the street, turning at random, not stopping until I reached a park.
I sat on a bench facing the lake and watched the ducks gliding across the water.
My father was still alive?
I didn’t know what to feel.
He’d neglected me as a child, tried to use my marriage as a business opportunity, basically tried to pimp me out for connections. I hadn’t felt a single regret when I heard he’d been jailed.
But still…
‘Mirabelle. What a surprise.‘
All thoughts of Franklin vanished at the sound of that voice.
‘She just doesn’t give up,‘ I muttered to myself, standing and turning to face Genevieve.
‘I thought it was you,‘ she said. ‘I had to get out of the car to be sure. What are you doing here? You look upset.‘
She looked pleased about it.
Right now, I had no energy for anyone, least of all her.
I turned to leave.
‘Hey, have you thought any more about our conversation?‘ she called after me.
I lifted a hand behind my back and gave her the finger.
Taking a random turn, I followed a tree–lined trail away from her.
But luck wasn’t on my side today. After a while, I found myself back at the lake, just further along the shore.
Genevieve was nowhere in sight, but the ducks were still there, dipping and diving.
I walked closer to the water’s edge, watching them. Were they mallards?
I patted my pockets out of habit, checking for something to feed them, but I never carried breadcrumbs. Why
would I?
I didn’t hear the footsteps behind me,
Not until I felt a sudden, violent shove between my shoulder blades.
I stumbled forward. My arms, trapped in my pockets, couldn’t break my fall.
I plunged headfirst into the cold, murky water.
