After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 39

Thinking this way, Rebecca felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She was still stressed and exhausted, but for the first time in a while, she had a spark of hope.

“I’ll take care of things here at the hospital,” Timothy said, trying to steady his emotions. He gave her the strongest

reassurance he could as her doctor. “You go take care of what you need to.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate it,” Rebecca said, her voice full of genuine gratitude.

With nothing else to add, she stood up and made her way toward the ward. Just as her hand was about to turn the doorknob, Timothy looked up and called out, “Rebecca.”

Rebecca glanced back over her shoulder. “Yeah?” Her eyes were clear and unwavering. She was no longer the uncertain, timid girl she once was. In just a few days, she’d transformed, and now, there was nothing but strength in her gaze.

Timothy studied her for a moment. Rebecca loosened her grip on the doorknob, sensing something more. “Is something wrong?” she asked.

“No, nothing’s wrong,” Timothy replied, reassured by how well she seemed to be doing. “I just wanted to say if you ever get too busy to visit, just let me know. I’ll go check on your mom for you.”

“Thank you, really,” Rebecca said, her voice sincere. She gave him a thankful smile, then opened the door and walked out, her steps steady and sure, her heart full of determination.

Back in the ward, Rebecca sat by Amelia’s bedside, gently pressing her mother’s hand against her cheek. Looking at Amelia lying there, all she felt was tenderness and a deep sense of dependence.

She poured her heart out to Amelia, telling her everything that had happened lately, her hopes for the future, and how much she missed her.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey sat absorbed in monitor feed, listening to every word. The coldness in the room seemed to grow with each sentence Rebecca spoke, and his hand at his side clenched in silent frustration.

In every scenario Rebecca imagined for her future, Samuel and Amelia were there, but never Jeffrey.

Stanley noticed the change in Jeffrey’s mood and snapped his laptop shut. “Your mother–in–law just got out of surgery, and it went great. You’re really not going to go downstairs and see her?”

“Where is Richard?” Jeffrey’s gaze was intense, cold, and unreadable.

“He’s washing glasses at the bar,” Stanley replied, genuinely confused by Jeffrey’s odd interest.

him,” Jeffrey instructed, grabbing his phone and tightening his grip on it. “Just mention the neighborhood, leave out

was completely puzzled. “Why do you

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Chapter 39

he has the right to know,” Jeffrey said calmly, his

necessary?” Stanley asked,

simply

shake the nagging feeling that something about all of this wasn’t right. But the more he thought about

it started to

no idea what was happening. She stayed with Amelia for hours, only leaving when the sky began to darken.

underway when Samuel

Victor and Samuel’s teacher to have Samuel go to Jeffrey’s place first.

was the right time. When she arrived, she called Samuel, and he came running out with his little

was about to leave with Samuel, bright headlights appeared in the distance, and a black Bentley rolled to a stop right in

a custom suit, his eyes fixed on her, exuding an overwhelming presence

not bothering to greet him. Then she took Samuel’s hand and started

“Wait,” Jeffrey called out.

stopped in her

say anything, the car door swung open, and Jeffrey stepped out, his long legs carrying him right

asked, her voice cold and

gaze flicked to her hand holding Samuel’s. “Come over here. I need to talk to you,” he

just because you say so? Not

this, that’s fine by me,” Jeffrey said, stepping closer. As he brushed past

her lips, forcing herself to hide her

looked up at her with concern.

for a minute,” Rebecca said with

Chapter 39

then we’ll head

Samuel nodded eagerly. “Okay!”

nose lightly with her