The Husband Rebecca Betrayed to Save
Chapter 05 - The Husband Rebecca Betrayed to Save
When William left, Daniel stepped into the kitchen.
His eyes were red.
"You believe me now?"
Jonathan looked at him.
"I believe Rebecca lied to both of us."
Daniel stared at the floor.
"Why didn't she trust me?"
"She was trying to protect you."
"I was her husband."
"She was frightened."
"So was I."
Jonathan had no answer.
Daniel told him what happened after receiving Rebecca's message.
He called hundreds of times.
His number was blocked.
He drove to the Carter home.
Security refused him entry.
Then his employer transferred him to Seattle after someone anonymously accused him of stealing confidential company files.
Daniel spent months defending himself.
By the time the investigation cleared him, Rebecca's health had already deteriorated.
He tried contacting her again.
Every message disappeared.
"I thought she hated me."
Jonathan looked at him.
"She loved you."
Daniel laughed, then covered his face.
"That doesn't make this better."
"No."
"It makes it worse."
For the first time, Jonathan understood.
Daniel had lost eight months with his wife because Rebecca had chosen fear over trust.
And now he had lost the chance to confront her.
To forgive her.
Or not.
Upstairs, Sophie appeared on the staircase.
She saw Daniel.
Everyone froze.
Daniel slowly stood.
"Hi, Soph."
She looked at Jonathan.
"You said Daddy couldn't come inside."
Jonathan felt shame rise in his chest.
"I was wrong."
Sophie stared at Daniel for several seconds.
Then she ran toward him.
Daniel dropped to his knees.
She hit his chest with both fists.
"Why didn't you come?"
Daniel held her.
"I tried."
"You didn't come!"
"I know."
"You weren't there when Mommy died!"
Daniel began crying.
"I know."
Sophie finally stopped hitting him.
Then she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I hate you."
Daniel closed his eyes.
"I know."
She held him tighter.
"Don't leave again."
Daniel looked at Jonathan.
"I won't."
But Jonathan knew something Daniel did not.
The guardianship order Rebecca had signed was not temporary because she distrusted Daniel.
May you like
It was temporary because she believed the person threatening her would eventually come after the children.
And William Foster was still free.
