After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 183

I’m not rejecting you. I just want to stay close to Mom, Rebecca replied, refusing to take the bait. “Even though she’s been awake for days now, sometimes it still feels like a dream.”

What if it wasn’t real? What if she imagined it? What if she stepped away for too long and her mother slipped

back into a coma?

Sensing her fear, Jeffrey reached over and took her hand. His grip was firm, steady, and real. “It’s not a dream,” he said gently. “She’s awake. This is real”

“Jeffrey, Rebecca said softly. Maybe it was because the car was so small, or maybe it was the way he’d just spoken to her, so gently–either way, she couldn’t help but want to ask him something, even though deep down, the already knew the answer

“Yeah Jeffrey replied gently

“If I hadn’t kept the deal,” Rebecca asked, staring at that ridiculously good–looking face of his, “would you really have gone after my moven?”

Jeffrey met her eyes. He wanted to say no–but he knew that if he ever let her see him soften up, she’d think she could leave whenever she felt like it. So he meeled himself and let his voice go cold. “Thinking of running

Rebecca quickly shook her head. “No, just asking”

“If Jessica’s warning wasnt chan enough for you, I can make it even more obvious,” Jeffrey murmured, softly tracing her slender hugens–his tome gentle, but his words sharp. “And just so you know, lan’s been slipping out of his bodyguards sight lurex?

“That’s not necessary” Rebecca said, pushing down her feelings. “I’ve got the message”

“Good girl,” þeffrey teased, playing with her pale fingertips. “Don’t go dreaming up ways to wreck what we’ve

Rebecca fell silent. If I leave, what happens to jessica? To fan? she thought. I know Jeffrey wouldn’t actually killi shemu. Bant when he’s angry, he’s terrifying. Could I really trade their safety for my freedom? What kind of person would that make me?

The neat day. Amelia picked up on Rebecca’s off mood. At lunch, she eyed her daughter, who looked perfectly monal and asked directly. “What happened when you got back last night?”

“Tah” Rebecca froze for a second, caught off guard,

“You’ve been distracted all morning” Amelia said. No one knew her daughter better.

Jest didn’t sleep weil Rebecca uid, a rare lie for her I was having nightmares all night.”

“bun about?” Anita prewed

10:46 Wed, Oct 1

Chapter 183

35Voil

that you waking up was just a dream. That I open my eyes and you’re

was the fear that had been haunting her,

tone full of affection. “Sweetheart, you really do worry

Amelia could see right through her. If it were just bad dreams, her daughter wouldn’t carry

“When you got back last night, did Jeffrey say

Rebecca replied, feigning

thought about leaving?” Amelia asked, her tone casual as if she were discussing the

away instantly. ‘How does she know? Is

Rebecca’s reaction confirmed her suspicion.

months before even considering transferring her assets. She’d believed Jeffrey was decent enough to trust

was weak. Thank god I

Rebecca echoed, Rebecca echoed, latching onto that

words get to you,” Amelia said quietly, leaning in. “It’s a sign he’s desperate. As long as you keep your resolve and don’t back down, no one will

There was so much she didn’t know about Amelia, like the orphanage, a topic that had always been off–limits. But looking at her now, Rebecca sensed a strength born from a past far harder

started, hesitating. “Back then, did someone

want her daughter stuck in a

“What?” Rebecca responded.

you trust

answered without a second

10:46 Wed, Oct 1

Chapter 188

moving forward, I’ll handle the

after all the pain. All the wanted was for her to be happy,

said that to you back then, would things have been easier?

about her past, Rebecca could tell it hadn’t been easy. ‘How much has she endured to bring me into the world?’ she wondered. And where has my father

Amelia learning to

“If someone crossed me, I’d give it right back.

back, whether I was

money, aced my classes, learned all kinds of crazy skills, and pulled off