After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 188

“Well, if you’re happy, don’t I deserve a little reward?” Jeffrey murmured, his voice low and teasing as he took

her hand.

Rebecca shot him a sideways glance. She knew he could see right through her and was just saying it to get a rise out of her.

“Fine. Here’s your reward: Go back to work and make your money,” Rebecca snapped. “And stay away from me until you’ve earned enough.”

But Jeffrey wasn’t angry. He was intrigued. This fiery Rebecca felt more real, more alive than ever. After that, neither of them spoke for the rest of the ride. Rebecca kept her eyes glued to the window, while Jeffrey never took his eyes off her.

*****

At the hospital, Jeffrey was the perfect son–in–law. He was polite and calm, asking Amelia about her health with just the right amount of concern.

But Amelia wasn’t buying it. She’d been around the block too many times to be taken in by an act. She knew a man like Jeffrey was far more dangerous than Ryan could ever be.

Once the small talk was done, Amelia cut right to the chase. “I hear you’re very close to another woman.”

Jeffrey didn’t even flinch. “You must mean Andrea.”

“I do,” Amelia said.

“Andrea saved my life when I was a kid. I owe her,” Jeffrey said, his voice steady and deliberate. “Everything I do for her is just to repay that debt. There’s nothing romantic between us.”

“But you hurt Rebecca because of her,” Amelia stated flatly.

While Amelia was in her coma, Rebecca had visited constantly, talking to her for hours. Amelia had heard every last word. She knew exactly what her daughter had been through.

“That was my fault, and I’m willing to apologize and make it right,” Jeffrey replied smoothly. “She wanted a divorce, and I was angry. I lost my head and did some things I regret.”

“And what about transferring the marital assets? About denying everything she contributed to the marriage?” Amelia stared him down. “That’s more than just losing your head.”

“I never touched our assets. That was just a threat to stop her from talking about divorce. You’re welcome to check the records if you doubt me,” Jeffrey stated calmly. “As for what I said about her… They were just words. I was angry.”

To Jeffrey, Rebecca was more than just the woman who gave him a family. She was the only light in his dark

world.

Jeffrey’s words brought Rebecca no comfort. It didn’t matter if he was telling the truth now. The damage was

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broken inside

there.

I didn’t spend my life protecting her just so you could make her miserable. You’re not right

thought her mother would say

“I understand where you’re coming from,” he said calmly. “But my marriage to Rebecca is important to me, and I don’t believe in quitting

much smoother than Ryan,‘ she thought acidly. ‘He knows how

two different kinds of garbage. My daughter isn’t going to settle for the

stated plainly. “You two need to

all due respect, what’s between Rebecca and me is our business,” Jeffrey insisted. “And I will do what it takes to earn your blessing for us

was no point in

then, May walked in and immediately picked up on the weird vibe in the room. Her eyes

“All done?” Amelia asked.

it wasn’t?” May quipped, sliding a bank card

straight to Rebecca. “Here. This is for you now. For whatever you need. And one last

voice sharp and clear. “I want you to transfer the money Jeffrey

then: Amelia

mind missed nothing. “Add in the interest, Rebecca,” she added. “So the next time you argue, he can’t throw it in

“Okay,” Rebecca replied.

Rebecca’s mother,” Jeffrey said, his voice smooth as silk.

cold certainty: If he couldn’t get Amelia on her side, he would never get

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mince words. “You even made it sound like Rebecca, your own wife, had no legal right

outsider, certainly know my place. No, thank you. I know better than to owe you

glanced over at Rebecca. “Sweetie, did you finish

phone screen. “It’s

had already cleared a high transfer limit when she set up Amelia’s new account, so Rebecca sent the money

deposit notification. His jaw tightened as

I’ll let you go,” Amelia

right. Take care,”

grunted

at Rebecca, who had stayed silent the entire time. “Rebecca,”