After the divorce, he begged

“Just callRebecca,” Rebecca said, growing increasingly uncomfortable with the whole “Mrs. Hanson” thing

Every tsomeone called her that, it just dug up all the stuff Jeffrey had said before.

Barry shot a look at Jeffrey in the rearview mirror, but Jeffrey seemed totally unfazed and just went with it. “From

now on, call her Ms. Jensen.”

“Got it.” Barry replied.

“Do you want to have dinner at hor go out tonight?” Jeffrey asked Rebecca, his tone as gentle and patient

-as ever.

“I'm not hungry,” Rebecca said, barely able to muster any enthusiasm

“Let's go home,” Jeffrey said to Barry.

Once they arrived, Rebecca headed straight upstairs and started playing with Samuel, not bothering with dinner

at all.

Jeffrey put the food away. Knowing Rebecca didn’t want him around, he waited patiently until ten before heading

upstairs.

As he entered, he saw Rebecca and Samuel cuddled up, watching the last moments of an animated movie

together.

“I'm sleeping with Mommy tonight,” Samuel announced, clutching Rebecca’s arm as if staking his claim. “You're

not allowed to take her from me.”

“She's

‘s my wife, Jeffrey replied, sliding his arm around Rebecca's waist and refusing to give an inch. “So who's really

doing the stealing here?”

Samuel hugged Rebecca even tighter. “I don’t care, Mommy belongs to me!”

Jeffrey looked away from Samuel and turned to Rebecca. “Go ask your mommy. Let's see who she picks.”

“Mommy,” Samuel cooed, putting on his cutest voice.

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Chapter 165

“Take your tand choose, Jeffrey said, giving Rebecca’s hand a gentle squeeze, his voire soothing like a soft

melody.

Rebecca knew Jeffrey was quietly reminding her about their agreement. Holding back her feelings, she knelt

beside Samuel and solily said, “Mommy and Daddy need to talk tonight, sweetheart. Can you sleep alone just

this once?”

Samuel sent Jeffrey a fierce little glare.

Jeffrey met Samuel's glare with a calm, unbothered look.

“Mommy, you said it wrong. Samuel shot back, determined to get even. “He's not Daddy; he’s Mr. Hanson.”

“Still want to go back to summer camp?” Jeffrey ruffled Samuel's hair affectionately as he spoke.

Samuel huffed, clearly not happy

Then Rebecca returned to the master bedroom with Jeffrey.

Seeing her clutch the pillow and curl up at the bed’s edge like always, Jeffrey wrapped his arms around her. In a

husky whisper, he teased, “You really hate sharing the bed withthat much?”

Rebecca remained silent. Jeffrey asked that on purpose..

“Next tyou hit a bar or club, bring Jessica or a couple of bodyguards, Jeffrey murmured, pulling her closer.

“You can’t handle your drinks and get tipsy too fast. People can be shady. Better safe than sorry.”

Rebecca couldn't make sense of him at all. “You talk a good game, she scoffed. She thought, “Maybe he’s just

putting on an act this time, but how long is he really going to keep it up?”

“As long as you stay withlike before, I'll give you whatever you want, except for the things we've already

talked about,” Jeffrey said gently, holding her close enough to feel her heartbeat.

Rebecca didn’t believe him for a second.

Jeffrey wrapped her in his arms. “Go to sleep, he said softly.

Just after midnight, Rebecca woke up hungry. Not seeing Jeffrey beside her in bed, she didn’t overthink. She

slipped on her shoes and headed downstairs for a midnight snack.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she found Jeffrey waiting at the dining table, a spread of dishes laid out

just for her.

“Chave something to eat,” Jeffrey said, pulling out the chair for her, clearly knowing she'd wake up hungry

at this hour. “It’s all made just the way you like for dinner. Won't make you put on any weight.”

Rebecca glanced at him but kept quiet, her gaze lingering on the mouthwatering dishes.

Jeffrey gently coaxed her into the seat, picked out a few dishes for her, placed them on her plate, and said softly,

“Eat up.”

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Chapter 165

5 youthere

Though the food was tasty, Rebecca picked at it absentmindedly. She wished Jeffrey would go back to being cold.

It'd make it easier to stay tough and stick to her decisions.

But since everything cout, he'd grown softer and more patient, just like during their five-year marriage. She

couldn't help but feel conflicted.

“Not feeling it?” Jeffrey caught the way she was barely touching her food and the look on her face.

“No, it's not that,” Rebecca replied. “Whatever, I'll just wait. When Mom wakes up, I'll figure things out. For now.

I'll play along and pretend everything's fine.

“Once he thinks I've settled, that’s when I'll leave with Mom and Samuel. Besides, when | start working again, |

won't have to see him much anyway; she told herself

Jeffrey could see she was lost in thought, but he didn’t press her about it. He understood that everyone had

things they didn’t want to talk about, and if Rebecca wasn't ready to share, he wouldn't push her.

“Let's take a walk outside before heading up to bed, Jeffrey said once she'd finished eating, reaching for her

hand so she couldn’t say no. “Con.”

Rebecca was just about to protest that she’d go by herself when Jeffrey’s phone rang. The caller was Andrea- the

nshowed up clear as day for both of them to see.

Jeffrey sounded totally unfazed, like it was no big deal, just another normal call. He picked up, and Andrea’s

voice cthrough, sounding a bit shaky. Jeffrey, | just slipped in the shower and now I'm really hurting. | can’t

get up. Can you cover?”

“I'll call the doctor and the maid,” Jeffrey replied, already making arrangements.

Andrea’s voice sounded more desperate now. “I want you to cand be with me.”

Jeffrey's brow twitched, just the hint of semotion flickering across his face.

After all the , Andrea didn’t care if he figured out she was being manipulative. The fall was real enough,

anyway. “You don’t really want to come, do you?” she asked, her voice quivering.

“TIl be there in an hour,” Jeffrey said, and then hung up.

He slipped his phone into his pocket and squeezed Rebecca’s hand, his tone calm, with not a shred of apology or

regret. “I'm heading over there. If you need anything, just call me.”

Rebecca yanked her hand away. “Don’t bother coming back.”

Jeffrey cupped the back of her head and kissed her forehead softly. “Be good,” he murmured, and then turned

and walked away without looking back.

Watching him walk farther and farther away, Rebecca felt more certain than ever that there was just no way she

could keep doing this.

‘How am | supposed to accept him dropping everything for a single call from Andrea? And worse, putting her and

Samuel before us every single time, she thought bitterly.

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Chapter 165

0

She got the whole gratitude thing. If Jeffrey just gave Andrea a bunch of money or sent someone to look after

her, it was fine. But the way Jelley treated Andrea was far more than just repaying a favor.

Trying to collect herself, Rebecca headed upstairs. She hadn't even closed her bedroom door before a new

message flashed on her phone.

Andrea: Sorry, Rebecca. If | weren't hurting so bad, | wouldn't have asked Jeffrey to cover. You don’t hate