After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 26.

Chapter 26

“I came to check on Samuel,” Jeffrey said, his voice low. He rose to his feet, his presence filling the room. His gaze lingered briefly on Rebecca before adding, “Lock the doors and windows. I’ll be there soon.”

“Please hurr-” Andrea began, but a sudden clap of thunder cut her off. She let out a sharp cry.

Rebecca was scared, too. Jeffrey noticed but said nothing. Instead, he gentled his voice, talking Andrea through her fake panic until she finally calmed down.

Before leaving, he saw how tense Rebecca looked and said offhandedly, “If you’re scared, put on some headphones.”

“Not your concern,” Rebecca shot back, suppressing a shiver. “Go back to her. Stop wasting your time here.”

No sooner had she spoken than another roar of thunder shook the room. But this time, she didn’t even blink.

Jeffrey didn’t stay. Toying with his phone, he walked out of the modest apartment–a space that hardly matched his status. As he slid into his car downstairs, a sharp lightning bolt sliced through the darkness…

Almost instinctively, Jeffrey glanced up toward Rebecca’s floor. “Call Jessica. Make up a reason–get her to stay with Rebecca tonight,” he ordered.

“After you passed that message to the Scotts, Jessica was tricked by her parents into going overseas,” replied Gregory soberly from the driver’s seat. “She can’t be back tonight.”

he

Jeffrey fell silent. He ran his fingers over the phone, weighing his words. Then he sent a message: [Your mom is scared of thunder. Go sleep with her tonight.]

Samuel read the message but didn’t reply. He could tolerate his father being harsh with him, but abandoning his mom was unforgivable, no matter how “important” that other woman was supposed to be.

“Harmony Estate,” Jeffrey said. He didn’t bother sending another text–he knew Samuel would go stay with Rebecca.

Gregory nodded. “Okay.”

The car sped through the storm. Thunder growled overhead, sometimes so loud it felt like the sky might split open.

Jeffrey’s perfect eyebrows knitted together. His fingertip unconsciously traced the phone screen, eyes fixed on the chat. labeled “Rebecca.” But even as the car pulled into Harmony Estate, not a single text had left his screen.

his phone away and stepped out, his

moment Andrea saw Jeffrey, she leapt from the bed and threw her arms around his waist, holding him tightly. “You’re

stay here with you,” Jeffrey said, gently

and climbed back into bed. After a moment, she bit her lip shyly and

Jeffrey looked at her, his striking features betraying

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Chapter 26

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for his hand, her eyes hopeful. “I won’t be as scared if

that if he got into

in and sat down

“You didn’t want to touch me

focus on getting better. We’ll handle the rest later,” Jeffrey said calmly.

turned to sleep. ‘Rebecca is out of the picture now, anyway. Sooner or later, I’ll take her place,’

drifted off. Watching her breathe steadily in bed, Jeffrey sat in the chair and remembered how Rebecca used to burrow under the blankets during

hid underneath. Even when he held her and covered her ears, she

his phone and texted Samuel: [How’s your

Samuel and Rebecca were on a video call

of Rebecca’s messages since last night. At first, Rebecca thought she was just sleeping

and Rebecca was getting worried. Luckily, the video

about good timing,” Jessica chuckled. “My dad just had someone return my phone to

Rebecca asked, her voice tight with confusion

my mom to trick me into this country. The second I got off the plane, he took my passport and phone,” Jessica complained, still annoyed. “After

in a split

got something to tell you,” Jessica said, switching topics.

the cue. “What

who kinda looks like you,” Jessica said, sending over

in

really handsome.

an

looked to be in