After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 200

Rebecca shrugged him off without saying a word and stormed upstairs.

As his words replayed in her mind, the knot of anxiety in her chest tightened.

What if he really goes off the deep end?’ she wondered.

Se vouchere

As soon as that thought popped up, her mom and Jessica’s warnings flashed through her mind: ‘Jeffrey’s got his

sights set on you. As long as you keep moving forward and don’t look back, let him lose it-he’ll snap out of it

eventually

‘But will he really just let it slide? Rebecca couldn’t help but doubt it.

Rebecca spent over an hour wrestling with her thoughts, caught in a tug-of-war between dread and hope-it felt

like every minute was an eternity.

In all five years of their marriage, Jeffrey had never blown up at her. Lately, sure, his behavior had been

completely out of line, but it hadn't actually crossed into real anger. Rebecca honestly had no clue what he'd do

if he ever truly lost it-or how she’d even deal with it if he did.

There was a knock at the door.

Jeffrey's voice cfrom outside. “Samuel’s already inside the gate. He'll be here in a few minutes.”

Rebecca opened the door.

She didn’t even spare him a glance as she brushed past..

Jeffrey fell into step beside her, trying to smooth things over. “I was just worried you'd leave without saying

anything. | didn’t mean to scare you.”

Rebecca didn’t respond.

‘If I'd said goodbye, would you really have letwalk away?’ Rebecca thought, a bitter edge in her heart.

“If you're upset, just take it out on me,” Jeffrey said, gently taking her hand and sticking close by her side. “Don’t

keep it all bottled up-it’s not good for you.”

Rebecca stopped in her tracks and said bluntly, “Aren't you being hypocritical?”

Jeffrey blinked, surprised. “Huh?”

“If you actually cared about my well-being, you wouldn't keep givingreasons to get angry,” Rebecca

retorted, obvious resentment in her voice. Honestly, she wished they could just end things peacefully-no more

, no more fighting.

Jeffrey fired back, “What about you?”

Still pissed off, Rebecca snapped, “Me? What's that supposed to mean?”

11:02 Thu, Oct 2

Chapter 200

55 voucher

“How much of what you said was true, and how much was just for show?” Jeffrey’s voice was low and serious.

“You say you won't leave-but is that really what you want?”

The air between them grew tense in an instant.

They stood facing each other, neither of them saying a word.

Until-

“Mommy!” Samuel's bright, cheerful voice rang out as he crunning in, his little legs moving as fast as they

could. He threw his arms around Rebecca. “I missed you so much!”

80

Rebecca’s mood instantly lightened. “I missed you too, sweetie. How have you been these past few days? Were

you happy?”

Samuel's eyes sparkled. “So much fun!”

Rebecca gave him a gentle hug.

Jeffrey's eyes softened as he watched the scene. Just as he was about to suggest they go sit down and chat, his

phone rang in his pocket. Andrea’s nflashed brightly on the screen.

Jeffrey's gaze darkened.

‘Every single tshe calls, it’s always at the perfect moment, Jeffrey thought, suspicion gnawing at him.

There was no way this was just a coincidence.

“I've got to take this,” Jeffrey said in a low voice to them.

When Rebecca saw Andrea calling, she didn’t say a word—just took Samuel upstairs. She kept fussing over him,

asking if he was hungry or wanted a late-night snack, then started chatting with him about all the wild stuff he'd

gotten up to at summer camp, trying to keep things light.

Halfway through their chat, Samuel gave her a totally serious look and asked, “Mommy, is Grandma feeling any

better?”

“A lot better,” Rebecca said. “She can walk by herself slowly now. Give it a little more time, and she’ll pretty

much be back to normal.”

“So when are we leaving?” Samuel just blurted out.

Rebecca froze for a second.

Her heart gave a little jolt. “You...”

Samuel glanced toward the door, saw his dad still hadn't cup, and blurted out, “You and Dad didn’t get

divorced, and Dad's still talking to that lady. | bet you want to leave!”

All the tension Rebecca had been holding onto tonight suddenly melted away.

11:03 Thu, Oct 2

Chapter 200

It was like an invisible force was giving her the strength to keep going.

2

80

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

02 vouchere

“You weren't planning to leave without me, were you?” Samuel asked, his big eyes wide and worried.

“I was just afraid you wouldn't want to leave with me, Rebecca confessed, her heart softening as she spoke “You

grew up here, all your friends are here-it’s not easy to just walk away from all that.”

“But you matter the most to me,” Samuel piped up right away.

Rebecca squeezed his little hand. “So, should | sneak you away when no one’s looking?”

Samuel flashed a sly smile. “No way, Mom! I'm the one running off with you.”

Rebecca got real with him. “I’m not telling your dad about our plan. Once Grandma's feeling much better, we'll

wait for the right moment and make our move.”

“Yeah!” Samuel nodded seriously.

“Don’t you want to know why?” Rebecca was honestly surprised-things were going way smoother than she'd

ever imagined.

“If we tell Dad, he'll definitely stop us. He really doesn’t want you to leave,” Samuel said, sounding all grown up

for his age. “But this time, it’s his fault.”

“I don’t want you and Dad to be apart either.”

“But you're not happy here, Mom.”

“Leaving is the best choice,” Samuel said.

“Thank you, sweetie,” Rebecca whispered, hugging him close. His understanding and support really was all she

needed right now.

Just after Rebecca and Samuel finished talking, Jeffrey headed upstairs. The way both of them looked at him

made him pause; he couldn't help but feel a wave of confusion.

‘What's up with their faces?‘ Jeffrey wondered, glancing between mother and son.

“Was it that other lady calling you?” Samuel piped up, his eyes curious. He'd spotted the contact non the

screen, just like Rebecca had.

“Yeah, she needsto handle something,” Jeffrey admitted, reaching out to mess up Samuel's hair a little.

“Hang tight and be good for your mom, okay? Don’t make her worry.”

Samuel looked up at him and asked, “Can you not go?”

Jeffrey froze for a second, surprised by his son's question.

“I really don’t like her,” Samuel said seriously, wanting Dad to leave Mom with a good impression before they

left. “She ruined our family the moment she walked in.”

11:03 Thu, Oct 2

Chapter 200

Rebecca pulled him even closer, hugging him tight.

Jeffrey's lips pressed into a hard, thin line, his expression unreadable.

After a long, heavy silence, Jeffrey finally spoke.

“I'm sorry, Samuel. It’s a debt | owe her from way back, and now I just have to pay it back-one step at a time.

“If you leave, you won't be Dad toanymore. You'll just be Mr. Hanson-got it?” Samuel said, his voice firmer

than ever, as if tossing down a challenge.

He understood more than any kid his age had a right to, but at the end of the day, he was just a kid stuck in the

middle of adult .

Sure, they laughed, they played, they argued-but when it cdown to really leaving, Samuel couldn't help

feeling a pang of sadness. After all, besides Mom, Dad was the one who cared about him most. If things weren't

this messed up, all he'd ever want was for his parents to stay together.

“Sounds like you even remember to call‘Dad’ anymore,” Jeffrey said, tapping Samuel lightly on the head.

“Behave, alright? I'll be back soon.”

He looked over at Rebecca, his gaze lingering for a second.

Then, without another word, he turned and walked out.

Once he got in the car, Jeffrey tapped out a message: [Having fun using Andrea to mess with me?]

Stephen: [?]

Stephen: [What's going on?]

Jeffrey: [I bet Andrea still doesn’t know Mom and Dad already picked out a fiancée for you. Wantto spill the

beans?]

Stephen's eyes narrowed as he read the message.

He traced his finger slowly across the screen, lost in thought.

Jeffrey called, his tone all business. “Stop using Andrea to mess withand Rebecca. Keep it up, and don’t think

| won't play the sgon you.”

Every tthings even started to smooth out betweenand Rebecca, Andrea would suddenly call.

One tcould've been a coincidence.

But if this keeps happening again and again, there’s no way it’s just luck-someone’s definitely out there messing

with me.

Andrea’s not pulling this off by herself. The only

Chapter 200

Rebecca shrugged him off without saying a word and stormed upstairs.

As his words replayed in her mind, the knot of anxiety in her chest tightened.

What if he really goes off the deep end?’ she wondered.

Se vouchere

As soon as that thought popped up, her mom and Jessica’s warnings flashed through her mind: ‘Jeffrey’s got his

sights set on you. As long as you keep moving forward and don’t look back, let him lose it-he’ll snap out of it

eventually

‘But will he really just let it slide? Rebecca couldn’t help but doubt it.

Rebecca spent over an hour wrestling with her thoughts, caught in a tug-of-war between dread and hope-it felt

like every minute was an eternity.

In all five years of their marriage, Jeffrey had never blown up at her. Lately, sure, his behavior had been

completely out of line, but it hadn't actually crossed into real anger. Rebecca honestly had no clue what he'd do

if he ever truly lost it-or how she’d even deal with it if he did.

There was a knock at the door.

Jeffrey's voice cfrom outside. “Samuel’s already inside the gate. He'll be here in a few minutes.”

Rebecca opened the door.

She didn’t even spare him a glance as she brushed past..

Jeffrey fell into step beside her, trying to smooth things over. “I was just worried you'd leave without saying

anything. | didn’t mean to scare you.”

Rebecca didn’t respond.

‘If I'd said goodbye, would you really have letwalk away?’ Rebecca thought, a bitter edge in her heart.

“If you're upset, just take it out on me,” Jeffrey said, gently taking her hand and sticking close by her side. “Don’t

keep it all bottled up-it’s not good for you.”

Rebecca stopped in her tracks and said bluntly, “Aren't you being hypocritical?”

Jeffrey blinked, surprised. “Huh?”

“If you actually cared about my well-being, you wouldn't keep givingreasons to get angry,” Rebecca

retorted, obvious resentment in her voice. Honestly, she wished they could just end things peacefully-no more

, no more fighting.

Jeffrey fired back, “What about you?”

Still pissed off, Rebecca snapped, “Me? What's that supposed to mean?”

11:02 Thu, Oct 2

Chapter 200

55 voucher

“How much of what you said was true, and how much was just for show?” Jeffrey’s voice was low and serious.

“You say you won't leave-but is that really what you want?”

The air between them grew tense in an instant.

They stood facing each other, neither of them saying a word.

Until-

“Mommy!” Samuel's bright, cheerful voice rang out as he crunning in, his little legs moving as fast as they

could. He threw his arms around Rebecca. “I missed you so much!”

80

Rebecca’s mood instantly lightened. “I missed you too, sweetie. How have you been these past few days? Were

you happy?”

Samuel's eyes sparkled. “So much fun!”

Rebecca gave him a gentle hug.

Jeffrey's eyes softened as he watched the scene. Just as he was about to suggest they go sit down and chat, his

phone rang in his pocket. Andrea’s nflashed brightly on the screen.

Jeffrey's gaze darkened.

‘Every single tshe calls, it’s always at the perfect moment, Jeffrey thought, suspicion gnawing at him.

There was no way this was just a coincidence.

“I've got to take this,” Jeffrey said in a low voice to them.

When Rebecca saw Andrea calling, she didn’t say a word—just took Samuel upstairs. She kept fussing over him,

asking if he was hungry or wanted a late-night snack, then started chatting with him about all the wild stuff he'd

gotten up to at summer camp, trying to keep things light.

Halfway through their chat, Samuel gave her a totally serious look and asked, “Mommy, is Grandma feeling any

better?”

“A lot better,” Rebecca said. “She can walk by herself slowly now. Give it a little more time, and she’ll pretty

much be back to normal.”

“So when are we leaving?” Samuel just blurted out.

Rebecca froze for a second.

Her heart gave a little jolt. “You...”

Samuel glanced toward the door, saw his dad still hadn't cup, and blurted out, “You and Dad didn’t get

divorced, and Dad's still talking to that lady. | bet you want to leave!”

All the tension Rebecca had been holding onto tonight suddenly melted away.

11:03 Thu, Oct 2

Chapter 200

It was like an invisible force was giving her the strength to keep going.

2

80

02 vouchere

“You weren't planning to leave without me, were you?” Samuel asked, his big eyes wide and worried.

“I was just afraid you wouldn't want to leave with me, Rebecca confessed, her heart softening as she spoke “You

grew up here, all your friends are here-it’s not easy to just walk away from all that.”

“But you matter the most to me,” Samuel piped up right away.

Rebecca squeezed his little hand. “So, should | sneak you away when no one’s looking?”

Samuel flashed a sly smile. “No way, Mom! I'm the one running off with you.”

Rebecca got real with him. “I’m not telling your dad about our plan. Once Grandma's feeling much better, we'll

wait for the right moment and make our move.”

“Yeah!” Samuel nodded seriously.

“Don’t you want to know why?” Rebecca was honestly surprised-things were going way smoother than she'd

ever imagined.

“If we tell Dad, he'll definitely stop us. He really doesn’t want you to leave,” Samuel said, sounding all grown up

for his age. “But this time, it’s his fault.”

“I don’t want you and Dad to be apart either.”

“But you're not happy here, Mom.”

“Leaving is the best choice,” Samuel said.

“Thank you, sweetie,” Rebecca whispered, hugging him close. His understanding and support really was all she

needed right now.

Just after Rebecca and Samuel finished talking, Jeffrey headed upstairs. The way both of them looked at him

made him pause; he couldn't help but feel a wave of confusion.

‘What's up with their faces?‘ Jeffrey wondered, glancing between mother and son.

“Was it that other lady calling you?” Samuel piped up, his eyes curious. He'd spotted the contact non the

screen, just like Rebecca had.

“Yeah, she needsto handle something,” Jeffrey admitted, reaching out to mess up Samuel's hair a little.

“Hang tight and be good for your mom, okay? Don’t make her worry.”

Samuel looked up at him and asked, “Can you not go?”

Jeffrey froze for a second, surprised by his son's question.

“I really don’t like her,” Samuel said seriously, wanting Dad to leave Mom with a good impression before they

left. “She ruined our family the moment she walked in.”

11:03 Thu, Oct 2

Chapter 200

Rebecca pulled him even closer, hugging him tight.

Jeffrey's lips pressed into a hard, thin line, his expression unreadable.

After a long, heavy silence, Jeffrey finally spoke.

“I'm sorry, Samuel. It's a debt | owe her from way back, and now I just have to pay it back-one step at a time.

“If you leave, you won't be Dad toanymore. You'll just be Mr. Hanson-got it?” Samuel said, his voice firmer

than ever, as if tossing down a challenge.

He understood more than any kid his age had a right to, but at the end of the day, he was just a kid stuck in the

middle of adult .

Sure, they laughed, they played, they argued-but when it cdown to really leaving, Samuel couldn't help

feeling a pang of sadness. After all, besides Mom, Dad was the one who cared about him most. If things weren't

this messed up, all he'd ever want was for his parents to stay together.

“Sounds like you even remember to call‘Dad’ anymore,” Jeffrey said, tapping Samuel lightly on the head.

“Behave, alright? I'll be back soon.”

He looked over at Rebecca, his gaze lingering for a second.

Then, without another word, he turned and walked out.

Once he got in the car, Jeffrey tapped out a message: [Having fun using Andrea to mess with me?]

Stephen: [?]

Stephen: [What's going on?]

Jeffrey: [I bet Andrea still doesn’t know Mom and Dad already picked out a fiancée for you. Wantto spill the

beans?]

Stephen's eyes narrowed as he read the message.

He traced his finger slowly across the screen, lost in thought.

Jeffrey called, his tone all business. “Stop using Andrea to mess withand Rebecca. Keep it up, and don’t think

| won't play the sgon you.”

Every tthings even started to smooth out betweenand Rebecca, Andrea would suddenly call.

One tcould've been a coincidence.

But if this keeps happening again and again, there's no way it’s just luck-someone’s definitely out there messing

with me.

Andrea’s not pulling this off by herself. The only person who ever had contact with her is Stephen, so he must be

behind it.

11:03 Thu, Oct 2

Chapter 200

“Anytime,” Stephen said, totally unfazed and taking it in stride.

80

56 vouchers

“Say | wire Andrea & million and tell her to disappear so you'll never find her again. Do you really believe she'd

pick you over that cash?” Jeffrey shot straight for Stephen’s weak spot.

“If you want to waste your money, go ahead,” Stephen replied with his usual cool attitude. “Let's see if she'd

actually take you up on it.”

person who ever had contact with her is Stephen, so he must be behind it.

11:03 Thu, Oct 2

Chapter 200

“Anytime,” Stephen said, totally unfazed and taking it in stride.

80

56 vouchers

“Say | wire Andrea & million and tell her to disappear so you'll never find her again. Do you really believe she'd

pick you over that cash?” Jeffrey shot straight for Stephen’s weak spot.

“If you want to waste your money, go ahead,” Stephen replied with his usual cool attitude. “Let's see if she'd

actually take you up on it.”