The atmosphere was one of innocence and joy.
While Benjamin stepped out to use the restroom, Candice turned to Rebekah, her voice dripping with venom.
"You're Ben’s wife and Shawn’s mother, but you look like an unwanted guest. Doesn't that hurt, sister?"
Rebekah didn't respond.
Candice pressed on. "Honestly, your life is such a failure. A husband who doesn't love you, a son who doesn't care, and parents who abandoned you after eighteen years. Why are you even still here? You should just leave. As for your new identity as a Hawthorne… don't get your hopes up. That was just something Benjamin arranged. It's only a matter of time before they find out the truth."
Candice continued her tirade, but Rebekah just listened impassively, offering no reaction. Finally, frustrated by the silence, Candice scoffed.
"Still playing the saint, I see. Let's see how calm you are in a little while."
"A little while what?" Benjamin asked, returning to his seat. He hadn't heard the whole sentence, just the last few words.
Candice's expression instantly softened. "Nothing. We were just talking about Shawn's performance."
Benjamin glanced at Rebekah, who was still silent. "You're his mother, yet Candice cares more about him than you do," he said coldly.
Rebekah didn't bother to reply, simply leaning back in her seat and closing her eyes. Her indifference lodged in Benjamin's throat like a stone. He turned away from her in frustration.
Rebekah waited, steeling herself for whatever Candice and Shawn had planned. Her phone vibrated. It was a text from Jensen.
*Faye is on her way.*
"Who are you? Have you lost your mind, attacking someone with a knife in public?"
"Who am I?" the man spat. "You're her husband, right? Why don't you ask your wife who I am!"
Rebekah recognized him vaguely but couldn't place him. So this was the "surprise" Candice had in store for her.
Seeing Rebekah's confusion only enraged the man further. "You killer! In her last year of high school, you bullied my sister until she jumped off a building! She was so young! You destroyed her life!"
The man's voice broke with grief, and he began to sob.
And then, it all came rushing back to her. The man's face, the story… Rebekah's blood ran cold. Of all the people Candice could have found, it had to be him.

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