After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 9

Rebecca paused, surprised that Samuel had learned about the situation.

*So you know about the divorce, too?” she asked gently. She’d been trying to figure out how to tell him without hurting him too much.

Samuel nodded and said softly, “Yes”

Pulling him closer, Rebecca whispered into his hair, “I’m so sorry, baby.”

“Mommy, you’re such a dummy,” Samuel said, his innocent face full of concern as he squeezed her hand, “you shouldn’t have fought for custody of me.”

Rebecca fraze, her heart dropping to her stomach. Does Samuel not want to live with me?” she thought bitterly.

“Even if I live at Daddy’s, you’ll always be my favorite person,” Samuel told her, billing his head in that way that always saw right through her. “Til miss you every day and come see you on all my breaks.”

A smile appeared through Rebecca’s tears before she even realized she was crying.

“You should’ve let Daddy take me, Samuel said, his voice gentle but his words showing wisdom beyond his years. “Then he’d finally get how much work parenting really is.”

“I could never do that,” Rebecca whispered, feeling that Samuel and her mother’s love were life’s greatest blessings, “I couldn’t stand you growing up in that house. I want your childhood and your whole life to be full of love and happiness

Taking him with her was the only way to keep her son from being messed up. Staying with the Hansons might not seem like a big deal at first, but over time, they’d totally lead him down the wrong path.

Marcus considered affairs normal within their social circle, and Jeffrey had grown up viewing it as acceptable.

She refused to let Samuel be corrupted by their values and wanted him to grow up with a healthy mind and strong character:

*Mommy, you’re such a goof,” Samuel said, holding her tight, his big eyes full of nothing but love. “But you’re the best.”

Rebecca smiled and ran a hand through his hair. Right then, she knew every hard choice had been worth it.

“Mommy,” he said in that cute little way of his that always melted her heart.

“Yeah?” Rebecca responded.

Hesitation showed on his young face. Did Daddy divorce you because of that secretary from today?”

Rebecca’s expression froze.

“I saw that hot search topic from the other day,” Samuel said in his gentle voice, sounding wiser than his years. “Daddy said he was traveling for work today, but his step count kept increasing for hours after ho left.”

Rebecca wanted to say something, but then hesitated. She was concerned he might not be ready to hear what she had to say.

at that moment that Samuel was even more perceptive than she was, and she wondered how someone so young knew to

counts.

worry about me getting upset, Samuel said,

also understood that his father’s feelings for his mother had changed forever,

still held back the truth, comforting Samuel instead. “Even though Mommy and Daddy aren’t

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Chapter 9

as always,” she whispered.

their heavy talk, Rebecca spent time playing games with

days, she began searching for both an apartment

away proved challenging. Even with her degree from a top school, she was just another resume in a stack

called to check in and heard Rebecca was struggling, she didn’t hesitate. “Why don’t you come work at my company? I

problems and embarrass her friend if things went south. “You’ll be my first call if I strike

a look at your resume,” Jessica offered. “I can help

it to

acting roles,

out, which made

as you were right out of college,” Jessica said, scanning the resume. “After all those years

was at a

a few quick

at first glance, mostly just

a little editing first,” Jessica said,

style.

rather let her work do the talking than

the real world wasn’t like school, where good grades guaranteed success. Most bosses cared less

those with average performance could advance if they

sincerely. “Whether you want to be an actor, model, or influencer, I can make it happen. Since you compose music, I could

to be in the spotlight and disliked both the attention and

let me just take care of you,” Jessica said, not bothering to argue since she knew her friend’s stubbornness all too well. “Try finding something on your own first. But if

“Okay,” Rebecca agreed.

out the resume Jessica had helped her polish. To her surprise, it actually worked. Within a few

botter

company.

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