After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

“If that’s your excuse, then go to the hospital and apologize to Mom,” Rebecca said, her voice clear and unwavering.

Richard set down his glass and slowly rose to his feet.

Rebecca thought he was about to go with her, only to see the guilt on his face vanish–replaced by something dark and cold.

“You think Amelia deserves my apology?” Richard took a step closer, his mask slipping completely. “Let me remind you: if I hadn’t left you two in Jelasburg, you would never have met someone like Jeffrey.”

Rebecca finally realized Richard wasn’t here to make things right.

“You should thank me,” Richard went on, his voice growing louder. “I’m the reason you got to live the high life as Mrs. Hanson.”

“I can’t believe Mom ever loved someone like you,” Rebecca said, the last trace of warmth draining from her voice. She

turned to leave.

“Watch your mouth!” Richard snapped. He grabbed her arm and shoved her back onto the couch. “Remember who put a roof over your head all those years.”

Rebecca was about to fire back when he cut her off, “I heard you divorced Jeffrey.”

Rebecca frowned. ‘The divorce is something barely anyone knew about–so how did he?‘

“Let’s cut the crap,” Richard said coldly. The earlier grief was gone, replaced by pure calculation. “I’m here for your divorce settlement. I don’t want it all–just give me seventy percent.”

“Then you’ll be disappointed.” Rebecca got to her feet, her voice dripping with cold mockery. “Jeffrey didn’t give me a

dime.”

ཆ།

My patience is about to run out,”

felt grateful she hadn’t gotten a

wedding ring to cover Mom’s surgery,” She sneered. “If I’d gotten

of a lie.

heard she sold the multi–million–dollar ring for far less than it was worth. He assumed it was because Jeffrey had given her so much that a few million meant

nothing?” Richard

you don’t believe me, go ask Jeffrey yourself,” Rebecca said, done with the talk. She turned to

been good to her throughout

Chapter 28

the moment things got tough–were all those happy memories just

grabbing Rebecca’s arm and staring hard at her stunning face, “then you’ll

process his meaning, he was already dragging her toward the next booth. The room was loud and thick with smoke, making

He quickly snapped a photo, sent it to Jeffrey, and made the call. “Check your messages.

was gripping Rebecca’s arm,

to go in and get her? These guys are bad news.

eyes darkened, his fingers tapping

say a word, but Stanley

list,”

“But

was hacked. The rear camera flicked on by itself, and a cool, detached voice came through. “Point the camera inside. Don’t move

was speechless. ‘Seriously? You could’ve just asked for a

smoke. As Richard dragged

Richard pulled her roughly toward a group of men. “Go

of them asked, looking Rebecca up

with a flattering smile–a complete change from earlier. “She’ll be drinking with

an issue,” the man laughed, trading a meaningful look with the

her eyes erupting with a hatred so intense it was almost

across the face, his eyes cold and cruel. “Drinking with these gentlemen is

that Jeffrey was one with