After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 23

Unsure what Jeffrey meant, Timothy chose his words carefully. “It’s fairly deep. If it were in a different location, it would’ve required stitches.”

Jeffrey glanced at him, his eyes deep.

On the surface, Timothy remained calm. But inside, he was sweating.

$47%

“Make sure the surgery goes smoothly,” Jeffrey said, rising to his feet. His gaze drifted over the medical instruments nearby. “I don’t want anything like today to happen again.”

“Got it,” Timothy replied, quickly putting the medical tools aside.

Jeffrey stepped out of the hospital and dialed Gregory. “What’s Rebecca doing now?” he asked.

“She’s looking for a place,” replied Gregory.

A shadow crossed Jeffrey’s eyes. He quickly gave a few orders over the phone.

Gregory acknowledged and got to work.

Rebecca had no idea Jeffrey was having her followed. With the surgery funds secured, she’d begun apartment hunting. Fortunately, she found a reasonably priced place in a safe neighborhood, not far from Samuel’s school.

After confirming the apartment was in good condition, Rebecca signed the lease with the landlord–paying three months‘ rent and a security deposit upfront.

She spent most of the day cleaning and unpacking. Once everything was in order, she texted Jeffrey: [Maple Garden, Building 1, Unit 1802. Bring Samuel’s things here.]

No reply came, and Rebecca didn’t follow up.

Around 4 p.m., there was a knock at the door. Rebecca opened it and saw Jeffrey standing there in a sharp, tailored suit.

He glanced around the less–than–1,000–square–foot apartment before stepping inside. The living room, which had felt fairly spacious, suddenly seemed cramped with his presence.

“You expect Samuel to live here?” Jeffrey’s tone was cool as his eyes settled on Rebecca. “His walk–in closet in my villa is bigger than this entire

apartment.”

not to critique

what Samuel was used to. But she was determined to build a better life for him–one she

own terms.

Rebecca said, opening one of the bedroom doors. Then she gestured to another. “The pillows go

the two largest rooms in the apartment. The only other

feet.

planning to stay in that tiny room herself?‘ he

didn’t notice his gaze. She was busy arranging the items the

be Samuel’s walk–in closet, another his bedroom, and the last–the smallest–would hold her things and also be where she

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Chapter 23

a few steps further and paused when he saw the clean, neatly organized kitchen. ‘Rebecca doesn’t know how to cook, does she?‘

now,” Rebecca said once she finished organizing and noticed Jeffrey still standing

until he grows up, I’ll have

for a response, he turned

Jeffrey knew everything about her, except for one thing–she knew how to cook, and she was pretty good at

first married, she’d excitedly prepared a meal for him once. But she’d accidentally cut her finger–a one–in–a–million mishap–and from that day on, he never

that mattered anymore. Now, all Rebecca cared about was making

gotten any replies, Rebecca suspected Jeffrey was behind it. Left with

she managed to schedule an interview for a private dance instructor position. Even though she’d been a stay–at–home wife during

most upscale neighborhood. A resident there was looking for one–on–one tutors for their children.

person who’d hired her wasn’t Jeffrey, but he was pretty much cut from the

a refined, gentle–looking man playing with a child around four

blurted out, wondering, ‘What is he

Stephen greeted her warmly, a soft smile on his strikingly

felt a wave of

girl, Emily Reed, over to

wearing a light gray suit today, silver–rimmed glasses resting on his

on the

Once Rebecca was seated, he asked casually, “Would you like something to drink? Some juice, perhaps?