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།

is about to

felt grateful she hadn’t gotten a divorce

know I had to sell the wedding ring to

her face carefully, searching for any hint of a lie. But her eyes were steady

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. He

you nothing?” Richard asked one

Rebecca said, done with the talk. She turned to leave, ready

who had been good to her throughout her childhood, would abandon

Chapter 28

tough–were all those happy memories just an

Richard snarled, grabbing Rebecca’s arm and staring hard at her stunning face, “then you’ll have to earn it yourself. Honestly, a face like yours could be worth

was already dragging her toward the next booth. The room was

scoping out the bar, saw the whole thing. He quickly snapped a photo,

rough hand was gripping Rebecca’s arm, and the sight

me to go in and get her? These

darkened, his fingers tapping

say a word, but Stanley felt the cold anger

guest list,” Jeffrey said, his

replied. “But

The rear camera flicked on by itself, and a cool, detached voice came through. “Point the camera inside.

could’ve just asked

As Richard dragged Rebecca in,

her roughly toward a group of men. “Go make

of them asked, looking Rebecca up and down with a sleazy

my daughter, Rebecca,” Richard said with a flattering smile–a complete change from earlier. “She’ll be drinking with you tonight. We’re hoping for your support with our

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

free, her eyes erupting with a hatred so intense it was almost terrifying. She’d considered every scenario imaginable, except her father

the face, his eyes cold and cruel. “Drinking with these gentlemen is an honor. You think you’re

that her getting zero divorce settlement was just a sign that Jeffrey was one with her and had thrown her away -if he’d given a damn, he