Chapter 132

"Rebecca?" Gary's voice was hesitant.

Stacey paused. "Why are you calling?"

Gary hesitated, then blurted, "Rebecca, I heard about the Carter family reunion. Are you going?"

Stacey opened her mouth, but no words came. Gary shifted uncomfortably. "Rebecca," he finally said, "the Mitchells raised you. Could we get an invitation?"

A sharp pain, like ants biting, pierced Stacey's heart. "Will you still call if I'm not a Carter?" she asked, hiding her pain.

Gary was speechless. He pleaded, "Rebecca, even if you don't care about us, please, for your aunt Cynthia's sake, give us a chance."

Stacey's refusal trembled on her tongue, but she couldn't say it. "I need to ask Mom," she finally said, torn between wanting to refuse and fearing Cynthia's reaction.

Gary breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay."

The call ended, leaving Stacey uneasy. Gary's submissive tone was unexpected. Their relationship had always been strained. Janet bullied her relentlessly, Karen criticized her constantly, and Gary remained silent, complicit in their mistreatment. His subservience now, and the mention of Cynthia, made it hard to refuse outright.

Later, Stacey called Cynthia. She'd already sent an invitation to Cynthia and Xavier, but not the rest of the Mitchells. She wanted nothing more to do with them.

Cynthia was thrilled, but quickly sensed Stacey's reason for calling. Days earlier, Stacey had shared her news, and Cynthia had rejoiced.

During their video call, Cynthia said gently, "I'm fine, Rebecca. Let's forget it. Call me Becky. The past is the past. Focus on being Stacey, or Becky. You owe the Mitchells nothing. If you don't want to see them, don't."

Stacey hesitated. "Cynthia, will this upset you?"

Cynthia smiled. "Don't worry. I don't represent them. Your relationship with them has nothing to do with us."

If Cynthia were younger, she might have defended them. But years of experience had taught her a harsh lesson. Flynn, her abusive ex-husband, was protected by the Mitchells because of his business connections. They urged her to endure his abuse for the family's financial gain. She’d suffered silently, falling into depression, receiving no support. She recalled the $40,000 medical bill. Janet spent thousands on frivolous things; their living room sofa cost $120,000 each. Yet, no one in the Mitchell family offered help. Only Rebecca, with no blood ties, had covered her surgery costs, urging her to live.

That's when Cynthia understood. She'd lost her family long ago. Sacrificing herself for them had been foolish. She'd divorced Flynn and sought treatment abroad, with Rebecca frequently calling to check on her. The Mitchells only contacted her to question the divorce, accusing her of playing the victim and urging her to remarry Flynn.

Stacey watched Cynthia's face, seeing genuine care. But uncertainty lingered. "I…"

Cynthia interrupted, her voice earnest, "Becky, I'm so happy you found your family. Treasure them. Don't waste a moment on those who don't deserve it." Her words washed over Stacey, dissolving her doubts.

"Okay, I understand. Thank you, Cynthia!" Stacey beamed.

"Silly girl," Cynthia said, her eyes filled with a mix of envy and happiness. She envied Stacey's good fortune, but rejoiced in her niece's newfound happiness and love.