After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 3

Jeffrey sat relaxed on the sofa, still wearing the custom gray suit from that morning’s divorce. proceedings. His manner seemed casually detached as he made light conversation with the doctor, showing no apparent effect from the recent split.

When Rebecca entered the room, Jeffrey’s eyes lifted to meet hers.

Rebecca’s hands clenched unconsciously at her sides, her eyes revealing clear distaste and resentment.

“You’ve arrived, Ms. Jensen,” the doctor, Timothy Johnson, greeted simply.

She averted her gaze and replied quietly, “Hello, Dr. Johnson.

“As we discussed on the phone, here is the monthly payment schedule. Please review it, and if everything appears correct, complete your information and sign at the bottom,” Timothy explained while handing her the form.

Rebecca accepted the document, and her heart sank as her eyes fell on the amount–hundreds of thousands due every single month.

If her father hadn’t taken her pre–marital assets, she might have managed the payments for a few months. But now, with nothing left, covering such a significant expense seemed nearly impossible.

“If the cost presents a burden, you may choose from one of these alternative plans,” Timothy offered, noticing her hesitation as he presented another set of documents.

While the new treatment plan was considerably cheaper than the current one, it still cost tens of thousands of dollars each month.

When Timothy noticed she was still carefully reviewing the documents, his eyes instinctively moved toward Jeffrey.

Jeffrey responded with an almost imperceptible nod that Timothy immediately understood.

“Take your time looking through those options,” Timothy said as he stood up, slipping his phone into his pocket. “I need to check on another patient. If none of those plans work for you, we can discuss alternatives when I return.”

Rebecca remained completely focused on the treatment plans before her. “Alright,” she responded quietly.

Timothy left promptly, making sure to close the door behind him as he exited.

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Chapter 3

64%.

silence became so

you study those documents,” Jeffrey began, his tone maintaining its characteristic casual detachment, “your financial resources will never

mother’s extensive medical expenses.”

through Rebecca as she turned a furious glare toward

you’ll have to find a new place to live and

stared directly at him and asked, “What exactly are you

nothing more than a temporary outburst,” Jeffrey said as he stood up and approached her. “If you never bring it up again, I’ll continue covering your mother’s

Andrea?” Rebecca

two of you won’t have to interact,” Jeffrey stated calmly. “If her presence bothers you, I

thoughtful of you,” Rebecca replied,

Jeffrey continued, ignoring her sarcasm as if negotiating a business deal. “Someone who’s grown accustomed to luxury understands how difficult

understood perfectly well–she had never experienced true hardship throughout

life.

about money. The crisis struck so suddenly that she barely had time to process what was

married her.

her credit cards with no spending limit, so

still give her everything she wanted and

reason not to

to Rebecca, life wasn’t just about money–pride and dignity mattered,

dignity don’t pay the bills,” Jeffrey said, his voice cutting through

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Chapter 3

nearly as forgiving as you imagine. In your position? Without me, you

a week,”

pretending to care,” Rebecca

unable to understand why she

go. The doctor and I have things to discuss,” Rebecca said, her tone colder than ever. “I don’t

angry. Instead, he just continued

persistent gaze, Rebecca’s defenses slowly began

papers in her hand and forced herself to maintain eye contact, determined

to make your decision,” Jeffrey said with deliberate calmness. “If you agree within that time, I’ll forget this ever happened. After that, you’ll be nothing to me, and even if you come

out the window, her silent action serving as his

the time he

needed to learn through

that made Rebecca’s heart jump in her chest.