Chapter 9

Rebecca glanced at the babies and dozed off again, not waking until the next morning. The babies were wailing from hunger. Debra held them, feeling anxious. She didn't want to disturb her daughter's sleep, but the babies were relentless. Couldn't they wait a bit longer for breakfast?

Rebecca quickly awoke at the sound of their cries and tentatively asked, "Are they hungry?" Debra nodded, quickly handing the babies to Rebecca. Rebecca snuggled them close and began to nurse.

Outside, the commotion had also woken Sam and Melissa. Nerves on edge, they got up and headed toward Rebecca's room. Theodore, who had slept in the study, also came out. They exchanged a look before turning their attention to Rebecca's door. Melissa raised her hand to knock, but just as her fingers were about to touch the door, the crying stopped. Her hand paused. After a beat of hesitation, she called out, "Rebecca? Honey, are you up?"

Inside, Rebecca heard the sound at the door and looked toward it. Debra also glanced toward the door. She couldn't deny it; she really disliked the entire Edwards family.

"I'm awake, Grandma. I'm feeding the babies," Rebecca finally said after a moment of silence. She was worried that if she didn't answer, Melissa might come in. It could get awkward, especially with Sam around.

Outside, Sam and Melissa both sighed in relief. Knowing the great-grandchildren were being cared for put them at ease. Theodore subconsciously relaxed, then looked at Rebecca's door and his grandparents, feeling irritated. He pulled out his phone, checked the time, and said, "Grandpa, Grandma, I'm going to work." Sam and Melissa looked at him. Theodore remained silent for a moment, then left.

While Rebecca was feeding the babies, the housemaid prepared breakfast. Rebecca's breakfast was a special soup to aid her recovery and milk production.

After breakfast, Sam and Melissa started watching the children. They were smitten with their great-grandchildren, no matter how many times they saw them. The newborns still had a bit of jaundice and needed sunlight. The nanny took them outside when the time was right, followed by Sam and Melissa.

Inside, Debra waited until everyone had left before sitting next to Rebecca. She smiled happily and said, "Becky, your dad texted this morning. He wants to open a branch of our jewelry store here in Macloria. If you manage to divorce Theodore in a month, we'll head straight back to Hivalis. But if things get messy, you can get hands-on training at the new store. Once you've got the hang of it, you'll be in charge of all our family's jewelry business," Debra said with a smile.

Rebecca was stunned. "Mom..." She didn't finish as Debra quickly covered her mouth. Rebecca remembered she shouldn't call her "Mom" here. "Isn't this a bit risky?" Rebecca asked nervously.

Debra laughed. "Nothing risky, honey. Those boys couldn't care less about the family business. If you don't step up, everything we've built will be taken by others."

"No way," Rebecca quickly replied.

Debra nodded. "Exactly. Your father and I used to feel bad about it, but luckily, we've found you now. Becky, you wouldn't mind taking over the family business, would you? We own several mines overseas, and more than half of Hivalis' jewelry stores. It's a huge enterprise. One day, I'll take you to see the gemstones. Many people love them."

Rebecca couldn't find the words to express her gratitude. She finally understood what it felt like to have parents who loved her. Unable to hold back, she hugged her mother, resting her head in her embrace. It felt warm, just like a mother's hug should. Debra held her daughter gently. After so many years of separation, she had finally found her precious child. Their tender moment was interrupted by a knock at the door.

Rebecca and Debra both looked toward the door. Debra stood up and opened it. A housekeeper stood there.

The housekeeper glanced at Debra and entered, saying, "Ms. Mitchell, some people are here to see you. They say they are your family."

"Family?" Both Rebecca and Debra felt a wave of nervousness, glancing at each other.

"Let them in," Rebecca said.

"Okay," the housekeeper agreed, then quickly left. Rebecca wondered if it was her father and brothers or her uncle. But when she got downstairs and saw who it was, her heart sank. It was her adoptive parents and Janet!

Sam and Melissa were in the living room, putting on a fake show for the Mitchells, though clearly displeased. Hearing the noise from upstairs, everyone looked toward the stairs and saw Debra and Rebecca. Janet also saw Rebecca; a fleeting look of disdain flickered in her eyes before turning into a smile. She stood up, her prominently swollen belly clearly visible.

"Rebecca, there you are! I heard your babies were born, so Mom, Dad, and I came to see you," Janet smiled.

Rebecca paused, then continued down the stairs without a word. Gary and Karen Mitchell also turned to look at Rebecca as she approached. Rebecca stopped short, saying, "I'm going to check on the kids," then turned to leave. She had nothing to say to this family, nor did she want to.

"Rebecca!" Karen yelled. "We came all this way to see you, and this is how you treat us?"

Rebecca smiled and turned to Karen. "And what do you think about Janet showing up at my house, pregnant with my husband's child, while I'm still recovering? How do you feel about that?" Hearing this, Debra also got angry. She stepped in front of Rebecca, her eyes boring into Janet's belly with such intensity that Janet squirmed. "What... What are you looking at?" Janet snapped.

"I'm looking at your belly and your lack of decency. You couldn't keep your hands off your own sister's husband? You're a disgrace to this entire country! This kind of thing should stay buried forever. If it gets out, you'll ruin our reputation. You're the rotten apple spoiling the whole damn barrel!"

"How dare you call me a rotten apple?" Janet roared.

Debra scoffed, "Because you fit the description, don't you? I used to think you were just nuts. But hey, at least you knew you're just a filthy piece of trash."

Gary and Karen frowned, puzzled about who this woman was. Sam and Melissa sat together, keeping their expressions calm as they watched Debra insult Janet. On the first day, Melissa noticed that this friend of Rebecca had a sharp tongue. They had no respect for Janet's adoptive parents and Janet. They were embarrassed by Janet sleeping with Theodore and getting pregnant. The thought of anyone finding out filled them with dread. Still, they were Rebecca's family. Sam and Melissa had to show some courtesy, so they were forced to host them instead of kicking them out.

Janet had never been so insulted. Her finger jabbed toward Debra, fury blazing in her eyes as she lunged forward, ready to slap her. Seeing Janet's movement, Rebecca knew what she intended. But the person in front of her was her birth mother, so she rushed over without hesitation. Rebecca raised her hand faster than Janet.

Smack!

The sharp sound of the slap cut through the air as Rebecca's hand slapped Janet's cheek.