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.

Jeffrey tucked his phone away and stepped out, his earlier concern for Rebecca left behind- in the car like a

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

here with you,” Jeffrey said, gently loosening her

climbed back into bed. After a moment,

her, his

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Chapter 26

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sleep?” Andrea reached for his hand, her eyes hopeful. “I won’t be as scared if

was certain that if he got into bed with her, she could seduce

didn’t reply. He tucked her in and sat down beside the bed, keeping

was pulling away. “You didn’t want to touch me earlier, and now you won’t even share the

getting better. We’ll handle the rest later,” Jeffrey said calmly. “Be good,

emotions and turned to sleep. ‘Rebecca is out of the picture now, anyway.

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

got stuffy and didn’t actually block the sound, Rebecca always hid underneath. Even when he

he pulled out his phone and texted Samuel: [How’s

were on a video call

hadn’t answered any of Rebecca’s messages since last night. At first, Rebecca thought she was just

and Rebecca was getting worried. Luckily, the video call

timing,” Jessica chuckled. “My dad just had someone return

voice tight with confusion

he took my passport and phone,” Jessica complained, still annoyed. “After years

split

switching topics. Since Samuel

cue. “What

who kinda looks like you,” Jessica said, sending over the photo. “See for

it. The man in the picture was dressed

really handsome.

an

to be in his fifties,