On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 192

She rushed forward and grabbed his arm. “That’s enough.”

George ground his foot into the man’s knee. “Apologize.”

The man howled in pain. Seizing the chance, he stammered, “Ms. Brown, I’m so sorry! I was out of line, I didn’t know who I was talking to. I’ve learned my lesson. Please, let me go.”

Some strength returned to Rebecca’s limbs. She walked over and squatted down in front of him.

“Ms. Jones,” he pleaded, “it’s not my fault! My parents told me that since we were on a blind date, it meant we were getting married. They said I could do whatever I wanted.”

A wave of dizziness washed over Rebecca. Jessica quickly steadied her.

Rebecca’s hands clenched into fists. “What did my mother say?”

The man glanced nervously at her face. “She said you’re just stubborn and proud,” he whispered. “She said all I had to do was break you, and you’d become a good little wife. Your parents told me to do it! I wouldn’t have dared otherwise.”

Rebecca slapped him across the face. “You’re a disgusting animal.”

On the drive back, Rebecca’s voice was low and hoarse. “My mother told me she’d found someone for me to meet. She said if I just went on the date, she’d unfreeze my stock dividends. So I went.”

Jessica’s heart ached for her. She knew the pain of being betrayed by those closest to you—a soul-crushing agony that made you feel as if every bone in your body had been shattered, every piece of you ground into a worthless pulp.

Rebecca managed a bitter laugh. “I was so naive. The day she agreed to acknowledge my father’s illegitimate son just to keep her position, she stopped being my mother.”

After dropping Rebecca off at home, Jessica turned to George. “I’ll take you back to the hospital first, then I need to come back and stay with Rebecca.”

George’s eyes softened. “You’re running back and forth every day. Do you think you’re made of steel?”

Jessica looked at him, surprised.

“I don’t have time,” George said curtly.

“Arthur’s health hasn’t been good lately either,” Bryan pressed. “His blood pressure is high and won’t come down.”

George turned at the next intersection. “If he’s sick, he should see a doctor. I’m not one.”

Bryan hesitated.

George pulled the car over. “Why is his blood pressure high?”

Bryan’s voice relaxed slightly. “He’s probably been stressed and angry lately. Arthur didn’t want me to tell you, he was worried you’d be concerned. But if you could come home more often, it might cheer him up, and maybe he’d get better.”

George scoffed. “Are you sure my coming home would make him better and not just anger him into an early grave?”