After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 187

Riley continued, “Look, I get that things might be awkward between you and Ryan. But if you can accept him

as Rebecca’s dad, it could win her the most freedom from Jeffrey.”

“Whatever Ryan can offer, I can offer too,” Amelia said, her voice firm.

Riley fell silent.

Amelia didn’t hold a grudge over the past, but it wasn’t all water under the bridge.

“Besides,” she said, “he’s the one desperate to claim this relationship, not us. We don’t have to make the first move. If he really wants this, he should come to us and prove he’s sincere.”

And honestly, the choice is ours. Why should Ryan, who threw down a seed and then crushed the first sprout, have any right to the daughter I’ve poured my heart into raising?‘ she thought.

“You’re right,” Riley agreed. “But just be careful. When Jeffrey gets really intense, he turns obsessive–nobody can hold him back in those moments, and he has the kind of mindset to do things most people wouldn’t even dream of.”

Amelia’s gaze flickered upward. She hadn’t expected Jeffrey, who looked polite and humble, to have such a dark side. In the end, she said, “Got it.”

Riley shared a few more things, and Amelia made a mental note of every detail.

Ten minutes later, their conversation was finally cut short when Jeffrey texted Riley: [How much longer are you planning to stay down there?]

Riley paused, slipped her phone away, and got up to say goodbye.

Amelia, sensing she had something to do, didn’t try to keep her.

Neither Rebecca nor Amelia brought up the conversation about Ryan when they saw each other later.

Over the next few days, Rebecca kept up her usual routine, shuttling back and forth between Rebecca’s Manor and the hospital.

She went home partly to change clothes, and partly to make sure Jeffrey didn’t get suspicious.

They’d just talked a few days ago. If she did anything too obvious, Jeffrey might get desperate and end up doing something reckless.

*****

Wednesday afternoon, after helping Amelia with her rehab for the day, Rebecca made a trip back to Rebecca’s

Manor.

She picked a time when Jeffrey would definitely be at work, quietly collecting her important documents and starting to set the stage for her upcoming departure.

10:59 Thu, Oct 2

Chapter 187

as always, “Welcome home, Ms.

Rebecca nodded in response.

isn’t home,”

I just dropped by to

Savouchers

headed straight up to the master bedroom, opened the closet, and pulled out her important papers and IDs. After making sure everything was

snapped her bag shut and was about to slip out,

wasn’t he supposed to be

few things,” Rebecca replied, masking her nerves as she turned to face him. She kept her tone casual. “You’re home early. Weren’t

landed briefly on the bag in her hand.

picked up on it–he was letting her

cool tone, “You don’t need to come back specially for

“I should always be here if you

she said,

excuse. “My mom has a rehab session later, I have to head

Jeffrey reached out and caught her by

was forced to halt

aloof, detached look and asked quietly, “Do you

“Honestly, we’ve got all the time in the world to hang out. But my mom needs me for her rehab

excuse without a second thought. “Her

confidently, “Yeah, the stuff on her schedule is finished,

Jeffrey demanded, “Like what?”

my mom talking,” Rebecca answered, calm and unfazed. “It helps keep her

10:59 Thu, Oct 2

Chapter 187

watched her carefully. Seeing her keep her cool, he abruptly

Rebecca looked confused.

said, “I’m going with

ZG(8)

81

35 Vouchers

without hesitation. “You’ve got plenty on your

you. Or was everything you said before just to brush me off? And you’re still thinking about leaving me?” Jeffrey said, making it hard for Rebecca

was no way she could let that slip. This was not the time to provoke

in the way of your work,” she said, trying

eyes grew noticeably darker–Rebecca was

Jeffrey replied, his voice steady and unruffled, not letting any