After the divorce, he begged

“You guys head back,” Rebecca said, shoving all her feelings aside. Right now, her mind was focused only on the task she’d been assigned. “I’ll spend the night here at the office.”

Ella wanted to let her go back to rest, but Rebecca spoke before she did. “We’re here on behalf of PrimePlay Technologies. If we don’t finish what we were tasked with, it’s bound to look bad for the company.”

“But if you don’t rest, how will you manage work and classes tomorrow?” Ella asked, concern in her voice.

“I should be done by four or five,” Rebecca said, checking the time and making a rough calculation. “I’ll squeeze in a little sleep.”

Ella still wanted to say something, but Rebecca convinced her to leave. ‘No way I’m letting anyone else pay for my mistake,‘ Rebecca thought, determined to take full responsibility for what had happened.

Ten minutes later, Rebecca was left alone in the office. She shut off all the overhead lights, leaving just a single desk lamp casting a gentle glow on her workspace.

Maybe it was the sense of urgency, maybe it was her fear of damaging PrimePlay Technologies‘ reputation, but Rebecca finally locked away all her emotions and focused completely on her task.

At that moment, it hit her–the saying she’d seen somewhere was spot on: office workers barely got a second to feel sad.

At night, they sobbed their heart out, letting all their feelings flood out when they were finally alone. But when the morning came again, they’d wipe away the tears, slap on a smile, and drag themselves back to work like nothing ever happened.

For the next few hours, Rebecca buried herself in the assignment, set on proving she hadn’t snagged her spot at PrimePlay Technologies because of Jeffrey, but because she was truly capable.

Rebecca wanted to let him know that she could support herself, pay her own way, and live independently. She had what it took to get by.

For every hour Rebecca kept working, Jeffrey remained upstairs, waiting for her just as long. In the entire building, only the glow from their separate offices cut through the darkness.

At 4:40 in the morning, Rebecca finally wrapped up her assignment. She saved her work, shut the computer down, grabbed her phone and bag, and set her alarm for 8 a.m.

Then she found a couch in the break room, curled up, and tried to get some sleep.

Worn out from the stress and overwork, Rebecca was out in no time, her breathing soon slow and steady. The room settled into quiet, until the door quietly opened.

Jeffrey stepped inside. He had on a white button–down, but his features was tinged with exhaustion. Feeling the stuffy heat in the break room, Jeffrey turned on the air conditioner, setting it to just the right temperature.

Then he gently laid his suit jacket over her, so she wouldn’t get cold while she slept.

After settling everything, he took a seat beside her, his gaze drinking in every delicate feature of her sleeping face. He couldn’t figure out why she had to be so stubborn.

him take care of her, she wouldn’t need to work herself to exhaustion. She wouldn’t have to pull all–nighters anymore. She could spend her days doing whatever she loved, without having to wear herself out for just a little

easier for yourself?” Jeffrey murmured, his chest heavy with emotion. “You insist

to the world, oblivious to his arrival

up first. He used her finger to unlock

over her, and slipped out of the break

her sleepy

head off to freshen

Before she could dwell on it, her phone rang. It was Ella. “Where are you? I brought you some breakfast. Come eat,” Ella

replied, quickly straightening her

passed her the bag of breakfast. Rebecca

pull an all–nighter together last night?”

confused. She took a sip of her milk

Mr. Hanson leaving when I came in. He was carrying his

and all she could think about was that familiar scent that had lingered when she woke up.

“What’s wrong?” Ella asked.

just popped in to check on things,” Rebecca replied; she couldn’t help feeling a little unsettled.

Jeffrey was such a contradiction. Outwardly, he was harsh and distant,

he just let me go?‘ Rebecca thought. ‘Why won’t he let me live the life I want,

nodded, letting the matter drop and moving on to what really mattered to her.

Chapter 153

assignment?”

“Yes,” Rebecca said simply.

55 vouchers

they were done, Rebecca hit the bathroom to freshen up, splashing cold water over her face

most of the night. Now her

out of it.

as wiped out as Rebecca, but he could basically force himself to

meeting for later this afternoon? Maybe get a bit more sleep?” Gregory asked softly, knowing full well

looked as straight–faced and sharp as he always did. “I’ve got stuff going

could see there was no changing his mind,

Jeffrey was busy with his duties at the company. Both of