Rachel furrowed her brows. Since she had made up her mind about leaving William, she didn’t want her family involved any further. “It’s nothing, just some misunderstanding,” she muttered.

“I must admit, we’re impressed by your amazing attitude in this entire fiasco. How could you remain so calm with your husband fooling around with another woman?” Sasha sneered.

“Enough about all that. Come with me to my study,” Jim cut in.

Jim shot Rachel a look; this time, Sasha didn’t stop Rachel.

Rachel was taking the first step on the stairs when she tripped on something. She was distracted, wondering how to explain things to her father. Because she didn’t pay attention at that moment, she fell forward with a gasp.

Her forehead hit the stairs, and she winced in pain. She held her forehead and felt something wet on her palm. Looking down, she saw blood stains on it.

Yvette covered her mouth and yelped in feigned surprise. “I’m so sorry for accidentally causing you to trip, Rachel! But how could you be so careless? Tripping on such a wide staircase.”

Jim hurriedly held Rachel up. “Rachel, are you okay? I’ll have Mrs. Jones fetch the first-aid kit to treat your wound.”

“No need,” Rachel said with a wave of her hand. “Let’s just head up.”

Jim was still concerned. “Are you sure you’re fine?”

“It’s just a minor bump.”

Rachel didn’t want to make things more difficult for Jim. Because she had accidentally lost Sasha’s son, Sasha had been bearing a grudge against her father over the years.

After Rachel followed Jim into his study, she put all her gifts for him on the table.

“Father, these are gifts I bought for you. Happy birthday.”

Jim was delighted.

“I’m happy enough to see you back home. You shouldn’t have gone through such expenses.”

“It’s not much. Today is special; it’s your birthday.”

Aside from visiting home during the new year, Rachel hardly returned and would usually give her father a call to catch up. Given her circumstances right now, she thought she should spend more time with him.

“It’s just the two of us here, so tell me, what’s going on between you and William?” Jim asked.

“Nothing, it’s just a misunderstanding. Don’t listen to them talk nonsense.”

Rachel hardly felt anything at the mention of William and Samantha.

Jim, however, didn’t believe her. “Why didn’t he come with you today, then?”

Jim knew that William would always keep Rachel company each time she came home. He had a bad feeling when he saw his daughter here alone.

Chapter 82

Rachel pulled her phone out to check the time. “He’s been very busy at work recently. He did say that he’d come over later.”

Jim knew that it was getting late. “In that case, call him and ask where he is right now.”

“Alright.”

To put Jim’s mind at ease, Rachel texted William in front of him.

[Where are you right now? I’m already at my father’s house!]

[Rachel, I’m so sorry. Something cropped up here, and I might not be able to make it.]

Rachel wasn’t surprised by what he said, but her father was right. William had never failed to keep her company whenever she came back home. He knew that she wasn’t treated well by her family members–at least, that was what he told her in the past.

“I’ll have your back from now on. I’ll go back home with you. I’ll see who would dare to bully my wife in front of me,” he had said.

Rachel thought he had said it on the spur of the moment and couldn’t help but tease him. “Don’t pull my leg! I know you. You’re so busy at work, you wouldn’t have the time to go back home with me.

William raised a hand and swore to her, his voice firm and determined.

“Trust me. No matter how busy I am, I’ll definitely go back home with you. I won’t let you get bullied by them!”

Chapter 83