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.

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

heavy with emotion. “You insist on taking on all this suffering, when you

the world, oblivious to his arrival

in the morning, Jeffrey woke up first. He used her finger to

conditioner, gently lifted his suit jacket over her, and slipped out of the break room at 7:59, leaving no sign he’d

She rubbed her sleepy eyes and sat up on the couch,

off to freshen up,

could dwell on it, her phone rang. It was Ella. “Where

right there,” Rebecca replied, quickly straightening her clothes before heading

breakfast. Rebecca thanked

an all–nighter

was confused. She took a sip of her milk and then asked,

Hanson leaving when I came in. He was carrying his jacket. His

think about was that familiar scent that had lingered when she woke up. ‘Wait,

“What’s wrong?” Ella asked.

couldn’t help feeling a little unsettled. “I didn’t see

contradiction. Outwardly, he was harsh and distant, but behind the scenes, he was always quietly looking

go?‘ Rebecca thought. ‘Why won’t he let me live the

letting the matter drop and moving on to what really mattered

Chapter 153

assignment?”

“Yes,” Rebecca said simply.

55 vouchers

done, Rebecca hit the bathroom to freshen up, splashing cold

powered through most of the night. Now her head was heavy and

out of it.

Rebecca, but he could basically force himself

I reschedule your meeting for later this afternoon? Maybe get a bit more sleep?” Gregory asked softly,

need,” Jeffrey said, cool as ever. He looked as straight–faced and sharp as he

there was no changing his mind,

with his duties at the company. Both of them were exhausted, but neither sent