After the divorce, he begged

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Jane had some idea about what was going on between Rebecca and Jeffrey, but she’d always thought of Rebecca as just a regular team member and never really paid much attention to her personal life.

But today, barely after Jeffrey had left, Jane’s phone buzzed–he’d sent her a message. At that moment, Jane finally got what her family had meant when they said Jeffrey had everything figured out.

It only took him a few days of watching before he saw right through Jane and knew exactly how she felt about Rebecca.

Rebecca said, “I’ll do my best and won’t hold you back.” Jane always looked out for her. Right now, the only way she could repay Jane was to put everything into her work.

Jane nodded in response.

They didn’t say much else. After a bit more casual chatter, Jane went to get some water, while Rebecca headed outside to make a video call.

Even though Rebecca knew Samuel was getting all the care he needed, she couldn’t help but worry a bit. The moment the video call went through, she asked, “Are you doing okay over there, honey?”

“I’m fine,” Samuel said as he set his tablet aside, his sweet little face full of innocence. He added, “But I do kinda miss you though.”

Rebecca felt her heart completely soften. She said, “Mommy misses you, too, sweetheart.”

They talked about this and that–one minute Rebecca was asking if he’d eaten enough, the next she was checking if he liked his classes. The whole conversation was comfortable and warm, like any nightly check–in between mom and kid.

That was, until a deep, steady voice came from the other end, saying, “Drink your milk first, then you can talk to your mom.”

Moments later, a pale, elegant hand holding a glass of milk slipped into view. The fingers were slender and impeccably neat–Rebecca didn’t even need to see the face to know instantly it was Jeffrey.

Rebecca thought, ‘So Jeffrey’s been with Samuel this whole time?‘

Samuel took the glass and gulped down the milk, then handed it right back. He said, “All done.”

“Okay,” Jeffrey responded.

Samuel blinked at him, puzzled.

Jeffrey leaned back lazily in his chair, left hand on the table. He asked, “Why are you looking at me? Go on, chat with your mom.”

“I wanna tell Mommy a secret,” Samuel said, not–so–subtly trying to shoo Jeffrey away.

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Chapter 86

said, “Just

:

supposed to, with you right

“I’m not covering

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around here

flicker of Rebecca’s expression. He said, “You could say that. After all, you both pretty much

back.”

and I ever wanted to badmouth you, we’d just say it straight

Jeffrey repeated, “Mr. Hanson?”

looking all innocent.

let out a chuckle and poked Samuel on the head. He then said, “Nice, kid. Make sure you use that name the next time you

went silent, his cheeks puffing up as if he was about to protest, but couldn’t

him off the hook. On his way out,

glass and heard their voices. Not until Jeffrey stood and walked out did she get a

up talking for almost another twenty

night, Rebecca hung up. She didn’t head upstairs immediately–instead, she sat outside for

Samuel hadn’t teased Jeffrey by calling him “Mr. Hanson,” she probably wouldn’t have thought

a semester, enough to make any wallet weep. Jeffrey covered

knew she had to pull in extra cash–fast. That night, she sketched a

on a rare off–day, her brain

spent time with everyone at the event and then joined

14:55 Mon, Sep 22

Chapter 86

them off at home until it was

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dropped a message in the

Ian replied: [I’m free.]

Jessica replied: [Busy.]

texted: [I need to go ask my dad something, but I don’t

this. Between the stuff May said and the way she acted, Rebecca was

discussing her situation. Still, she

was what Richard had said earlier: “Don’t you want

an hour later, Ian

you and your mother