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.

even more perceptive than she was, and she

counts.

upset, Samuel said, his big eyes showing genuine

that wouldn’t change, even if his father had cheated. But he also understood that his father’s feelings for his mother had changed

comforting Samuel instead. “Even though Mommy and Daddy

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Chapter 9

as always,” she whispered.

Rebecca spent time playing games with Samuel to take his mind off

she began searching

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

heard Rebecca was struggling, she didn’t hesitate. “Why don’t you come work at my company?

cause potential problems and

look at your resume,” Jessica offered.

sent it to her

on those small but perfectly–crafted acting roles, she

know the industry inside out, which made her the perfect person to

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

a

too well, Jessica made a few quick edits

downloaded the updated version. The changes seemed subtle at first glance, mostly just smarter wording that made all

selfie–nobody posts those without a little editing first,” Jessica said, knowing her friend was all

style.

let

cared less about

could advance if

you want to be an actor, model, or influencer, I can make it happen. Since you compose music, I could partner you with a singer,

the attention and the idea of strangers prying into her personal life. She

she knew her friend’s stubbornness all too well. “Try finding something on your own first. But if it doesn’t work out, I’m here for

“Okay,” Rebecca agreed.

resume Jessica had helped her polish. To her surprise, it actually worked. Within a few days, her phone was ringing with interview offers from

maybe her luck was finally turning. Every Interview went botter than

company.

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