Love Me Or Leave Me

CHAPTER 12

Sam and Melissa didn’t look pleased. The fact that their great–grandchildren didn’t take the Edwards name was embarrassing.

“Rebecca, are you still upset about your sister? I can promise you. Theodore will never get involved with Janet again. If they dare to keep on anything, I swear they’ll face the consequences!” Melissa looked at Rebecca, her promise firm.

“Rebecca, you shouldn’t change the kids‘ surname without discussing with us. People will think we are a joke if they find out,” Sam added, frowning.

Debra listened to their sarcastic comments and couldn’t help but laugh. She mocked, “A joke? Who would dare to laugh at us? Let them come to me, and I’ll shut their mouths!”

“Rebecca,” Theodore’s voice was frosty, “I don’t give a damn what you decide before the birth, but once that kids are out, it’s taking my last name. Period.” His tone left no room for argument.

“I’ll find someone to change their birth licenses. And since they’ll have my surname, I’ll take care of all their expenses. You don’t need to worry about it.” Theodore then firmly decided.

Sam and Melissa breathed a sigh of relief. Their grandchildren should carry their surnames. If they bore someone else’s name, it would be a stain on the family’s honor.

Since Theodore was willing to step in, Sam and Melissa were reassured. After all, the Edwards family had a vast business empire. As long as Theodore wanted to change, it would be easy to alter the children’s surnames.

“Rebecca, don’t worry. We will treat you well in the future.” Melissa comforted Rebecca, believing the matter was settled.

Rebecca had initially thought Sam and Melissa were kind to her, but over the past few days, she realized they were actually siding with Theodore. After all, an outsider would never be more important than their own grandson.

“Don’t even think about it! All of the paper work are done. It can’t be changed!” Rebecca snapped, her voice cold. Debra looked at the group mockingly. The Edwards family was one of the top elite families in Maeloria. Without the Carters, Becky might not have stood a chance against this shameless bunch. But now, with the Carter family backing Becky, how could these people still think they could push her around? That was a pipe dream.

“What?” Melissa exclaimed in disbelief. “You’ve already completed the children’s official birth registration?”

“Alright, enough’s enough.” Debra waved her hand dismissively. “Rebecca needs some rest. She just gave birth, for crying out loud. Let’s not bother her with this nonsense.” She started to usher them toward the door.

15 78 Thủ, 18 Jul an

Suddenly, the sound of a cane hitting the floor echoed through the room!

Everyone was startled, and the room fell silent Instantly. They all turned toward the source of the sound – Sam.

and

Sam, who had always been calm, now looked sternly at Rebecca. He said in a cold voice, “Rebecca, you Theodore can fight over your personal issues all you want, but you have no say when it comes to children.

“Tomorrow, you both go to change the children’s surname on the license. End of discussion. Stop being unreasonable!” Sam commanded firmly.

With that, Sam turned and walked away, clearly done with the argument.

Melissa’s face was also grim. She watched her husband leave and then looked at Rebecca.

Her health had never been good, and now she felt a pain in her chest. It wasn’t good…

With trembling hands, she popped a pill and swallowed it. Melissa then gave Debra a cold glance and walked over to Rebecca. She reached out, gently holding Rebecca’s hand, like a worried elder trying to console a younger one.

“Rebecca, can we talk for a moment, just you and me?” Melissa lowered her raspy voice, pleading.

Theodore gave Rebecca a long, deep look before finally turning to leave.

Rebecca, alone and vulnerable, was easy to manipulate. Just like when he forced her to sign the divorce license, he had ways to make her comply. This little act of defiance was just a scene.

Melissa didn’t leave. Instead, she glanced meaningfully at Debra, clearly wanting her to leave so she could speak to

Rebecca alone.

Rebecca pressed her lips together and didn’t say a word no matter what Melissa said. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Over the past few days, she had come to realize that only her mother truly cared about her. None of the Edwards

could be trusted.

Melissa waited for a long time, but Rebecca didn’t budge. The expectant–look in her eyes gradually faded into disappointment, ending with a weary sigh.

“Rebecca, you’re still so young. There are many things you don’t understand yet. When you grow older and wiser, you’ll understand what I’m trying to tell you.

“What does it matter if he’s with other women? Men like him, well, they don’t usually settle down young. We’ve all been there. In a few years, you’ll see things differently. You’ll realize love isn’t everything. As long as you’re the one by Theodore’s side, in the end, when he gets older and settles down, everything will be yours.

“And don’t forget,” Melissa added, “the Edwards family fortune and properties will all be yours too.

* 15:38 Thu, 18 Jul

“You’re on your own now. Your foster parents are partial to your sister, and you won’t get a penny from the

Mitchells. As women, we have to look out for ourselves. Don’t throw away what you’ve already got.”

With that, Melissa turned to leave. But before she did, she gave Debra a long, hard look. She didn’t like Debra. It

felt like her obedient and sensible Rebecca had been influenced poorly by this woman.

The Edwards had all left, leaving only Rebecca, Debra, and the babies in the room.

Debra let out a snort. “Who cares about the Edwards family’s scraps?” she scoffed, unwrapping a piece of candy and popping it into Rebecca’s mouth.

Rebecca opened her mouth and carefully ate the candy her mother offered.

“Becky, don’t listen to that old woman’s nonsense. When it comes to the background, the Carters family is just as good as the Edwards family. One day, all the Carter family’s wealth will be yours. Let the Edwards keep their scraps and feed them to the dogs!” Debra said disdainfully.

She continued, clearly angry, “And about her saying that rich guys love to fool around. Heh! That’s just a load of crap from someone who doesn’t know how to raise a decent son. The Carters are nothing like that. She just lives at misera