After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 22

“Jeffrey,” Andrea began another performance, “it was an accident earlier. She might not have meant to hurt me.”

“Whether she meant it or not, you got hurt because of her,” Jeffrey cut in, his eyes never leaving Rebecca’s face, watching for even the slightest reaction, “She needs to pay for it.”

Rebecca got it. He wasn’t here to negotiate–he was here to stand by Andrea, just like he once stood by her. Back then, no matter who was at fault, he always took her side.

Now, he was making it clear: if Rebecca refused to “share” him, his affection would shift to someone else. But she didn’t want that kind of love–the kind that could be so easily given to another.

“Do you mean it?” Rebecca asked, her voice steady.

Jeffrey nodded. “Every word.”

In one swift motion, Rebecca grabbed a sterile scalpel from a nearby tray and drew it sharply across her palm. The skin split open cleanly, blood welling up instantly and spilling over her hand.

“Ms. Jensen!” Timothy cried out, shocked.

Jeffrey’s eyes darkened, fixed on Rebecca’s bleeding hand. He thought, ‘This is the same Rebecca who used to tear up over the smallest scratch, clinging to me and whimpering that it hurt?

‘How can she now cut herself so deeply without even flinching? Is she really that determined to refuse my help? So willing to hurt herself just to defy

me?‘

“Is this enough?” Rebecca asked calmly, blood dripping steadily from her hand onto the floor. “If not, I’ll keep going until you’re satisfied.”

“Mr. Hanson, Ms. Scott’s injuries are minor–just a few scrapes,” Timothy said urgently, worried that Rebecca’s wound might get worse. “Ms. Jensen has paid more than enough.”

It wasn’t just ten times the blood–it was closer to fifty times what Andrea had lost.

Jeffrey’s expression darkened, his mood grim.

Just then, Andrea spoke up. “Jeffrey was only joking earlier. Why did you take it so seriously, Rebecca? If he really didn’t want Dr. Johnson treating your mother, he would’ve had her moved out long ago.”

“It might be a joke,” Rebecca replied calmly. Even as the pain in her palm intensified, she showed no sign of weakness. “It could easily cost my mom’s

life.”

Andrea glanced nervously at Jeffrey.

Jeffrey wasn’t listening at all. His attention was entirely on Rebecca’s bleeding hand and her defiant expression–so different from the vulnerable woman

he once knew.

“Mr. Hanson,” Timothy said cautiously, “if Ms. Jensen’s wound isn’t treated soon…”

He didn’t get to finish. Jeffrey grabbed Andrea’s wrist, though his eyes remained locked on Rebecca’s injury, and said, “Let’s go.”

“What about Ms. Jensen’s mother?” Timothy asked quickly.

“Rebecca has paid her dues,” Jeffrey said coldly without looking back. “Treat her if you want.”

a sigh of relief. As he reached for the disinfectant and bandages, he couldn’t help but scold, “Rebecca, what were you thinking, cutting yourself like that? Do you

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Chapter 22

it came to her mother’s safety, she wasn’t taking

Rebecca for years, he was

of hydrogen peroxide from him.

watched her

as a flinch–no gasp, no

you were scared of pain,” Timothy remarked

how she’d twisted her ankle during dance practice once- -Jeffrey had carried her in, and she’d teared up over the smallest ache. This injury hurt far more than that, and yet she hadn’t made a

applied

could tell she was pushing through the pain. He took the gauze from her hands and finished bandaging her wound carefully. It was a simple act, but for

a message from Jeffrey: [Be gentle while bandaging her. And make sure to give her the scar

[Got it,] Timothy replied.

Jeffrey didn’t respond further.

expression carefully. Worried he might blame her for seeking out Rebecca

want me near Rebecca. But I couldn’t just stand by when Amelia was in trouble. If

Jeffrey asked, changing the

Andrea nodded, her expression shifting

knee, his eyes lingering on the bandage. Without thinking, his thumb brushed lightly over the gauze. Somehow,

Andrea said,

her ear. “Rest well these next few days. Call me if you need

back with me?” Andrea asked, a hint of panic

and the office,” Jeffrey said calmly, his voice low. “I’ll come

through Andrea’s eyes/She knew

ask your friends to go shopping with you,” Jeffrey

Andrea nodded quietly.

the vehicle disappeared from view did he turn and head back to the hospital, making his

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Chapter 22

came to her mother’s safety, she wasn’t

gently. Having known Rebecca for years, he was all too aware

took the bottle of hydrogen peroxide from him. “It’s fine. I

watched her

much as a flinch–no gasp, no tears, as if it

scared

her ankle during dance practice once–Jeffrey had carried her in, and she’d teared up over the smallest ache. This injury hurt far more than that, and yet she hadn’t made a

cut, she applied ointment and began wrapping the gauze herself.

bandaging her wound carefully. It was a simple act, but for a

[Be gentle while bandaging her. And make sure to give her the scar ointment

[Got it,] Timothy replied.

Jeffrey didn’t respond further.