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.

away and stepped out, his earlier concern for Rebecca left

and threw her arms around his waist, holding him tightly. “You’re back. That thunder was so loud

with you,” Jeffrey said, gently loosening

nodded and climbed back into bed. After a moment,

looked at her, his striking features betraying no

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Chapter 26

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hand, her eyes hopeful. “I won’t be as

into bed with her, she could seduce

in and sat down beside the bed, keeping her

don’t want to be close to me?” Andrea noticed he was pulling away. “You didn’t want to touch me

handle the rest later,” Jeffrey said calmly. “Be

didn’t want to discuss this further, Andrea buried her emotions and turned to sleep. ‘Rebecca is out of the picture now, anyway. Sooner or

in bed, Jeffrey sat in the chair and remembered how Rebecca used to

always hid underneath. Even when he

his

and Rebecca were on a video call with

since last night. At first, Rebecca thought she

had passed now, and Rebecca was getting worried.

dad just had someone return my phone to

her voice tight with confusion

second I got off the plane, he took my passport and phone,” Jessica complained, still annoyed.

quiet. She knew in a split second that Jeffrey was

tell you,” Jessica said, switching topics. Since Samuel was

cue.

like you,” Jessica said, sending over

man in the picture

really handsome.

an

tailored suit, looked to be in his fifties, and