After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 41

Jeffrey’s phone buzzed twice. It was a message from Samuel: [Good night, Dad.]

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Jeffrey had seen these words from Samuel many times before, but tonight, they hit differently, sinking deep into his heart. He stared at the screen, his finger hovering for a moment before he finally typed back: [Good night, baby.]

Samuel saw the reply and bit his lip gently.

After getting in the car, lan took Rebecca to treat her wound. Once done, he dropped them at Maple Garden and watched them enter and head upstairs before texting Rebecca: [Keep your wound dry. Take care.]

Rebecca saw lan’s message only after putting Samuel to bed. She quickly replied: [Okay.]

lan texted back almost instantly: [You seemed a bit off today. Did Jeffrey do something again?]

[Everything went smoothly today. Why would I be in a bad mood?] Rebecca didn’t want lan to worry about her, so she kept her real feelings hidden.

Her interview was a win, and her mom’s surgery went well. If it hadn’t been for what happened tonight, it really would have been a perfect day.

lan messaged again: [We’ve been friends for years, I know when something’s wrong. If you don’t want to talk, I won’t push. Just remember, Jessica and I are always here for you.]

Rebecca typed back: [I know.]

That night, Rebecca lay awake for a long time, unable to fall asleep.

For over twenty years, she never bowed her head when she was right. Before marriage, her parents shielded her from injustice. Afterward, Jeffrey ensured she never had to endure unfairness alone.

But now she was alone. At the start of this new life, everything already felt wrong. Bitterly, she wondered, ‘If Mom woke up and knew I gave in over something not even my fault, would she be disappointed?‘

Rebecca couldn’t remember when she’d actually fallen asleep. The only thing she knew was that when the alarm rang, her head was foggy and her eyes refused to open. Still, she got up early, determined to make breakfast.

on her shoulders–meals, cleaning, all the daily routines. Strangely, taking

finish his breakfast and took him to school. Only

honestly felt worse than death. But sometimes life just hit that hard; to keep going, she’d have to swallow her pride, no matter how much

just finished breakfast. When Andrea saw Rebecca, she got up from the sofa and walked over, a little surprised. “Rebecca, what brings you

15:34 Thu, to Sept

18 Septe

Chapter 41

Jeffrey, who was

a second

or for Jeffrey?” Andrea asked, glancing between the two of them. “Want me to

and fixed her gaze on Andrea. In a robotic, rehearsed tone, she said, “I’m here to see you. Yesterday, I lost control and hit you with my bag. I’m here to apologize. I’m

a loss, glancing at Jeffrey helplessly. “Uh… Jeffrey?” she asked,

on.

strode up, his whole presence pressing down on Rebecca like a storm. His eyes were locked on her, voice cutting.

distant, almost like she was facing a stranger. She shot back, “And what

your apology,” Jeffrey said, his gaze

and grabbed his sleeve, trying to ease the tension. “Seriously, it’s no big deal. There’s no need for her to make a

hurt you.” Jeffrey’s reply was ice–cold, his expression hard

She thought, ‘He cared for Rebecca for five years, yet after just a few days apart, he’s this ruthless? If

calm. She’d come here fully expecting Jeffrey to put her through the wringer,

knowing she only did

of a sudden, Jeffrey seized Rebecca by the wrist, dragged her

into the car.

to follow and called

to Rebecca. Just go inside,” Jeffrey

to stop him from leaving, but after getting to know him better, she knew pressing would

pushing down all her worries as she went back

was iron–strong. Her wrist was turning red from

fold so easily, Rebecca,” Jeffrey sneered as he