Chapter 68

Charlie was the lead and had many scenes left to shoot, so he couldn't leave the set yet. Rebecca, however, didn't leave immediately either. Opportunities to learn like this were rare, and she didn't want to miss such a great learning experience. Charlie was happy to have his sister around and gladly let her stay. Whenever he had free time, he explained the scenes and taught her how to play her role well. Rebecca stayed with the crew for another week.

A week later, an invitation to her aunt Cynthia's birthday party prompted her departure. Cynthia was her aunt from the Mitchell family, who had adopted her at a young age. Though her adoptive parents treated her poorly, Cynthia had always been kind. When Janet, her adoptive sister, bullied her as a child, Cynthia stood up for her.

At age seven, Janet tricked Rebecca into going on a picnic, then had the driver take them to the outskirts. Once there, Janet abandoned Rebecca in the wilderness. That was the scariest experience of Rebecca's life. Terrified and crying, she ran along the road until villagers found her. They took her to the police station, where officers understood the situation and returned her home.

The police sternly criticized Rebecca's adoptive parents, lecturing them about their behavior. However, this didn't change them; instead, they disliked Rebecca even more. Janet would deliberately knock over Rebecca's plate at mealtimes, forbidding her from eating, claiming the food belonged to the Mitchells and that Rebecca, as an outsider, wasn't allowed to eat it. Rebecca felt deeply wronged and helpless.

It wasn't until Cynthia visited and discovered the bullying. Instead of arguing, Cynthia, under the guise of a family visit, invited Rebecca to stay. Although scared, Rebecca saw the kindness in Cynthia's eyes and accepted the invitation. Her adoptive parents, relieved to be rid of her, readily agreed to let Cynthia take her.

Rebecca lived with Cynthia for three years—the happiest years of her childhood. She remembered Cynthia buying her beautiful clothes, cooking delicious meals, taking her out to play, and helping her with homework every day. Cynthia always stressed that education could change one's destiny. Rebecca studied hard, remembering those words.

This good fortune ended when Cynthia's husband, Ken, had an affair. In fourth grade, Cynthia discovered the affair. Their home was filled with arguments and even physical fights. Once, when Cynthia threw a chair at Ken, it hit Rebecca, causing her forehead to bleed profusely. Terrified, Cynthia cried secretly at the hospital after receiving treatment. Soon afterward, Rebecca was sent back to Mitchell Villa.

Rebecca wanted to stay with Cynthia, even if Ken hit her; she wasn't afraid of their fights and thought she could help. But Cynthia didn't want her to stay and sent her back to the Mitchells. Afterward, Cynthia stopped fighting with Ken, no matter how many women he saw. She seemed exhausted and withdrawn.

The loving, cheerful aunt Rebecca remembered gradually became quiet and depressed. She looked much older. When the Mitchells forced Rebecca to marry Theodore, a man in a vegetative state, Cynthia was the only one who protested. But Rebecca agreed to the marriage. She asked the Mitchells for forty thousand dollars and gave it to Cynthia for aneurysm surgery.

Cynthia had married Ken despite her parents' objections. He was poor but capable, and she believed in his potential. He eventually became a successful entrepreneur, but after his success, he pursued younger women, and Cynthia, in her forties, became an eyesore to him. Despite his wealth, Ken was unwilling to support her financially; she supported herself running a flower shop.

Rebecca accidentally learned of Cynthia's illness and secretly consulted a doctor, who estimated the surgery would cost forty thousand dollars. Cynthia, proud and unwilling to ask Ken for money or borrow from the Mitchells, seemed to have lost the will to live.

Rebecca, however, didn't want her to die. Cynthia was a good person and deserved a good life. So, she agreed to the Mitchells' demand to marry Theodore in exchange for forty thousand dollars. The Edwards family gave the Mitchells a million-dollar engagement gift and significant business support. Rebecca only requested forty thousand dollars, considering the rest repayment for her upbringing.

She secretly gave the money to Cynthia. At that time, she didn't know if Cynthia would have the surgery, but she hoped she would live and live well. Cynthia was shocked and touched. That night, she cried, clinging to Rebecca, sobbing like a child. She promised to get the surgery, live on, and live better than Ken, making him regret everything. Rebecca held her and promised to wait for the day her aunt would live a better life, making Ken regret his actions.

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