Chapter 10
Janet lost her balance and was about to fall. Everyone except Rebecca and Debra panicked. Gary and Karen rushed to catch her, while Sam and Melissa also sprang to their feet, ready to assist. After all, she was pregnant with Theodore’s child!
“It hurts…” Janet cried, Gary catching her before she hit the ground. As she lay in his arms, she gasped, clutching her stomach, her face pale. “Dad, Mom,” she cried, “My stomach hurts so bad! Is the baby okay? Call the doctor… call an ambulance!”
Karen, finally regaining her composure, her hands trembling, frantically dialed 911.
While they waited for the ambulance, Karen suddenly turned, her expression fierce, raising her hand to strike Rebecca. Debra, quicker, pulled Rebecca behind her, then raised her own hand. A loud slap echoed—Debra had struck Karen.
Everyone stared, shocked. How could they fight with Janet about to miscarry? Karen, equally stunned that her blow had missed, was taken aback. For over twenty years, she had slapped Rebecca countless times without Rebecca ever daring to dodge. If Rebecca had ever tried, Karen would have punished her further—leaving her without food for days, locked in a room to starve and tremble. But Rebecca had dodged, and allowed a stranger to strike her instead?
Karen lunged at Rebecca, intent on teaching her a lesson.
Chapter 10
Debra, enraged at Karen’s attack on her daughter, lifted her leg and delivered a powerful kick. Years of combat training made dealing with Karen effortless. The thought of her daughter abducted and trapped for years fueled her rage. She wanted to destroy everyone who had ever bullied Rebecca.
Karen flew across the room, landing face-first on the floor.
Silence fell. Everyone watched in shock. Sam and Melissa stared at Debra, then Rebecca, then back at Debra, wondering about this unexpected friend. A bodyguard? Perhaps Rebecca, fearing post-partum vulnerability, had hired protection.
They concluded Debra wasn’t just a friend; she was a bodyguard—a skilled fighter and forceful advocate. Anyone who dared bully Rebecca would face consequences. They were fascinated, acknowledging the ingenuity of young people, though they hadn’t anticipated such a service. The idea of hiring a bodyguard intrigued them. A skilled fighter and assertive spokesperson? Quite impressive.
The ambulance arrived swiftly, taking Janet away. Debra, worried Janet might cause further trouble, called Paul, asking him to monitor Janet at the hospital. Sam and Melissa also left, even calling Theodore to the hospital. Janet was in trouble, and the baby might be coming.
Everyone departed, leaving Rebecca, Debra, the nanny, and household staff. Debra, noticing the twins had been outside too long, asked the nanny to bring them inside.
Chapter 10
Inside, Debra asked, “Becky, do they have names?”
Rebecca shook her head.
Debra considered, then suggested, “Let’s hold off on the official birth registration. You and Theodore are separating; once the divorce is final, we can register them under the Carter name. Sound good?”
Rebecca, initially surprised, agreed. Registering the children under the Carter name would add two adorable babies to the family.
Debra then realized no one had given gifts. Remembering Paul’s instructions to hospital staff, she chuckled, “Hey, maybe we should pick nicknames for the babies…”