After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 14

“What happened to your neck?” Jessica asked, gently moving ftebecca’s hair aside to reveal a distinct mark. “Don’t tell me that jerk Jeffrey did this?

Rebecca’s hand flew to her neck, surprised that something so brief had left such a visible mark.

Seeing the answer on her friend’s face, Jessica dropped her voice to a whisper. “It was really him?”

“Yes,” Rebecca admitted, her voice barely audible.

“That bastard,” Jessica seethed, her anger boiling over. “He’s dating Andrea while putting his hands on you? What a complete piece of shit!”

Rebecca just nodded in grim agreement.

Jessica was so furious that she even started imagining all sorts of violent retribution.

“I need to ask you something,” Rebecca said after a brief hesitation, deciding to just put it out there.

Jessica’s tone immediately softened. “Anything, you know that.”

“Could I crash at your place for a few days?” Rebecca asked. Even though they were best friends, she always believed in being polite about these things. “I haven’t found a new apartment yet, and I really can’t go back there.”

Jeffrey had changed the passcode, so showing up now would be downright pathetic. Besides, she knew perfectly well she needed to stay away from him.

“Seriously, consider this place your home. Stay as long as you want,” Jessica said. She knew Rebecca could be stubborn, so she dropped the usual lecture. “Here, let’s get your fingerprint set up. That way, you can come and go even if I’m not around.”

Rebecca actually agreed without argument this time.

They had just finished setting up the fingerprint when Jessica’s phone rang. It was her father, urgently summoning her to the office. Though she’d been about to help Rebecca research the diamond collection, she had no choice but to go immediately.

“Go ahead with your business. I’m fine, really. Don’t worry about me,” Rebecca said, not wanting to get in the way of her friend’s actual responsibilities.

“Okay, just hang tight here. Text me if anything comes up,” Jessica said, knowing her father only summoned her for big things. “I should be back soon.”

Rebecca murmured in agreement and walked her to the door.

Jessica’s parents had a marriage of convenience. Though they led separate lives after marrying, they both absolutely adored their daughter–Jessica was practically their little princess.

Less than an hour after she left, Rebecca’s phone buzzed with an incoming message from a stranger. [Hello. Is the ring still available?]

Rebecca replied immediately. [Yes.]

the diamond from that ring you have,” he said directly. “If you’re available, I’d like to meet in person to discuss

who’s calling?” Rebecca inquired, never/comfortable meeting strangers without proper

he replied. He then

the details before agreeing. “Where should

Stanley from the Garcia Group–everyone said he was one of the good guys with a solid reputation. That made her feel

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20:24 Sun, 14 Sept

Chapter 14

at Jelasburg Grand Hotel,” stanley said. “I’m already

Rebecca said. “Pll head over

49%%%

decided to play it safe. She shot Jessica a quick text about where she was going and activated her phone’s emergency SOS feature. From experience, she knew that truly trustworthy people

buzzed with the message

cleared his throat, saying slowly, “Am I that boring already? We just started talking, and you’re checking your

Rebecca might need me,” Jessica explained as she unlocked her phone. “By the way, why did you ask me to

the phone from her

protested. “What

said, already

two new messages from her top contact, saved as “My BFF,” he quickly deleted them before she could

him

she asked,

your phone,” he said with a straight face, giving nothing

my phone,” Jessica said, snatching it back. “If I picked you, your little

daring to

parents‘ relationship drama. She just wanted them to stay out of hers. “If there’s

Eugene said, stalling like he’d been told to. “You know about Rebecca and Jeffrey’s

know,” Jessica

from her for a while, and don’t get pulled into any of her problems,” Eugene warned, not wanting her on Jeffrey’s radar. “I know you two are close, but

her eyes and called him crazy

those two private collectors. If things went well, Rebecca could sell

later, Jessica was done meeting with both buyers, but neither was

ring. They told me Jeffrey had put the word out that anyone who buys

something to eat on