Rebecca Quentin shook her head shyly.
Howard Geoffrey kissed her cheek, his voice growing more tender. "If it’s because of last night, I’m sorry. I’ll make sure not to make you so uncomfortable again..."
His gentle voice felt like a spring breeze. If it had been any other time, Rebecca Quentin would have been moved by his thoughtfulness and tenderness. But at this moment, the thought that every gesture of his kindness stemmed from him seeing her as a substitute for his ex-girlfriend made it impossible for her to accept him rationally. "Howard..."
"Can I discuss something with you?"
Rebecca Quentin looked at him and spoke earnestly, "The day after tomorrow is our wedding day. I want to spend more time at home with my father these next two days..." Yes, if she couldn’t face it head-on, then all she could do was reduce the time she had to face it.
Howard Geoffrey gave a slight smile. "So it’s just such a trivial matter. Silly girl, I’ll agree to that."
Rebecca Quentin sat on the couch, hugging a pillow and staring blankly, until an abrupt phone call pulled her from her thoughts.
"Darling, your wedding is tomorrow! Tell me, are you nervous?"
Hearing her friend’s flat tone, Isabella Joanna sensed something unusual and hurriedly asked, "What’s wrong? You don’t sound like someone who’s about to get married at all."
Rebecca Quentin gazed blankly ahead, blurting out, "Isabella, about what you mentioned last time... I confirmed with my father that Howard Geoffrey had a girlfriend."
Isabella Joanna asked anxiously, "What did your father say?"
Rebecca Quentin then recounted everything to Isabella Joanna.
After listening, Isabella Joanna was stunned for a moment. "So, it turns out Howard merely sees you as a substitute for his late girlfriend..."
Rebecca Quentin took a deep breath to suppress the dull ache in her heart. "So, I don’t know what to do... For the sake of Quentin, I can’t refuse this marriage, but I really can’t face him..."
Isabella Joanna comforted her, "Becca, don’t worry. I don’t think it’s that big of a problem. Think about it: Howard’s girlfriend is dead. You don’t have any real competition. As long as Howard treats you well all his life, why should you care about who you are to him?"
At that moment, Rebecca Quentin shook her head vigorously, choking out, "Isabella, you don’t understand... The love I yearn for isn’t . If I can only receive my husband’s affection by being a substitute, then I’d rather not have such affection..."
Isabella Joanna sighed sympathetically. "SIGH... What do you plan to do then?"
Rebecca Quentin released her bitten lip, her voice firm with resolve. "I’ve already thought it through. After we get married, when the time is right, I’ll confront him and hope we can separate peacefully."
Isabella Joanna said, her heart aching for her, "Becca, you’re just making yourself suffer..."
Rebecca Quentin tried to widen her tear-filled eyes and forced a light laugh. "HEH, maybe this is my fate..."