"This month? You're only staying for a month?"
Jensen had a strange talent for zeroing in on the most random details.
Rebekah managed a small smile. "That's right. I'm leaving in a month."
On the other end of the line, Jensen's brow furrowed. Before he could ask another question, Rebekah hastily ended the call.
"I'll tell you about it later. I'm home now, gotta go."
After hanging up, Jensen looked across the office at his aunt, Faye, who was munching on a bag of chips. He was in a foul mood, and everything irritated him.
"Keep eating like that and you'll gain twenty pounds."
Faye looked tempted to hurl the bag at his head. "Taking out your frustrations with some woman on your dear old aunt? Is that any way for a nephew to behave?"
Jensen's face was a stony mask. He said nothing.
Faye dusted the salt from her fingers, walked over to his desk, and looked down at him. "Is Rebekah really one of the Powells?"
Jensen remained silent.
Faye pressed on. "Rory may hide his connection to the Powell family, but he's not a complete ghost. We're among the few who know, aren't we?" She paused, her eyes sharp. "I heard the Powells lost an infant daughter years ago. After seeing how fiercely Rory defended Rebekah at the university event today, I'd bet my last dollar she's that missing child."
She fixed her gaze on Jensen. "And let me tell you, the Powells are not people you want to cross. It looks like your path to the altar just got a lot more complicated."
Jensen shot her a dark look, not appreciating her gloating. "I overheard Mom and Dad talking yesterday… about setting you up on a blind date."
Faye's demeanor changed instantly. "Ah, yes. A problem has come up with our company in the Eastern Realm, and I'm the only one who can handle it. Tell your parents I'm heading to the airport right now."
"I'm here to pack my things. I'll be gone soon."
Hortensia was in high spirits, and the news that Rebekah was leaving made her even happier. "Well, hurry it up then! And don't you dare take a single thing that belongs to the Forrester family!" With that, she scurried off to gossip with her friends.
Rebekah stepped into the villa and saw Old Mr. Forrester sitting in the living room. His face was drawn and pale. As she entered, his gaze locked onto her, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's but tinged with a deep disappointment.
"Rebekah, come here. I want to talk to you."
She sat down across from him.
Old Mr. Forrester coughed twice, the hand resting on his knee trembling slightly. His illness seemed to be getting worse. He looked at her, his voice thick with emotion. "Rebekah, you promised me you wouldn't divorce Benjamin. Why?"
Rebekah met his gaze, her expression calm. "Grandfather, the Hawthornes already know the truth—that I'm not their daughter. I can't help you anymore."

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