After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 257

“Really?” lan still looked uneasy.

10 voucher

“Seriously,” Jessica scoffed, rolling her eyes. “You're never this awkward about anything else. It's like you turn.

into a whole different person when it’s about feelings.”

lan mumbled, “You wouldn't understand.”

Jessica shrugged, “Maybe | don’t. But honestly, if you don’t even have the guts to admit you like someone, then

what's the point?”

“Yeah, right. Like you'd ever confess if you fell for someone,” lan retorted.

“What's there to be scared of?” Jessica said confidently. “If | ever find a guy | like and he’s not taken, I'd chase

after him with everything I've got.”

lan’s lips twitched.

Jessica ground her teeth. “What's with that face?”

lan, not the least bit worried about getting smacked, said, “Honestly, | feel bad for whoever you decide to like.”

He really couldn't picture Jessica actually having a crush on someone. With how quick she was to throw punches

whenever she got annoyed, he'd bet if someone didn’t like her back, she’d just chase them down and rough

them up.

“Careful, or I'll go tell Rebecca you like her right now,” Jessica teased, knowing full well he was asking for it.

“Anyone you fall for is blessed beyond belief!” lan backpedaled instantly, realizing he couldn't afford to cross

‘her. “Honestly, whoever ends up as your husband is going to be one lucky guy.”

Jessica rolled her eyes and didn’t bother responding.

She glanced in the direction Rebecca had gone, then started the car and drove off.

When Rebecca walked in, Amelia and Samuel were waiting for her in the living room. The moment Samuel saw

her, he toddled over as fast as his little legs could carry him and threw his arms around her. “Mommy!”

Rebecca crouched down to hug him back.

Samuel gave her a loud, smacking kiss on the cheek.

Rebecca was a little surprised. ‘Why is he being so affectionate all of a sudden?‘ she wondered.

“Mommy,” Samuel called out sweetly.

Rebecca's voice lifted at the end, her face soft with affection. “Yes?”

Samuel's big, round eyes were absolutely adorable. “Are you feeling better now?”

14:16 Wed, Oct 8 M

Chapter 257

Rebecca reached out and ruffled his hair. “Just seeing you makeshappy.”

80

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“If anything ever comes up, you can always talk toor Amelia,” Samuel said, clutching Rebecca’s hand

seriously, as if he was making her a solemn little promise. “We'll always be your family, no matter what.”

Rebecca paused, surprised by his tender words.

She understood-her son was trying to comfort her about what happened between her and Jeffrey.

Back in those years when she was married, Rebecca used to tell Jeffrey everything, big or small. Their

relationship had been really, really good.

“Okay,” Rebecca replied softly.

Maybe it was because she was surrounded by the warmth of her family, or maybe she hadn't really had tto

process it yet. Or maybe her heart just felt empty after everything.

At this moment, the whole divorce thing didn’t stir up much in her-she mostly just felt a faint, lingering regret

over all the memories from those five beautiful years.

“Try to get ssleep tonight. In a couple days, I'll go with you for the property transfer,” Amelia said. She'd

only had her accident a year after Rebecca and Jeffrey got married, so she knew all too well just how close those

two had once been.

“No need,” Rebecca answered, not wanting to stop for a break. “Let’s do it tomorrow.”

Amelia reminded her, “Once all that stuff is in your name, the Quinn family will probably call you over to talk

things through. Will you be okay?”

It’s not that Amelia doubted her.

But after five years in a relationship that deep, there’s just no way someone could walk away without being

affected.

Amelia herself had broken up with Ryan cleanly on the surface, but it took her ages to work through her feelings

afterward.

“Alright, the property transfer will take a few days to go through anyway,” Rebecca said, not wanting to sit

around idle. “That'll giveplenty of tto sort myself out.”

“Okay,” Amelia said, not pushing the topic any further.

That night fell heavy and silent.

Rebecca thought she could get through it, fall asleep without a hitch, but she'd misjudged herself-there was no

escaping the ache tonight.

As the hours dragged by, her thoughts refused to settle. The image Stephen had shown her kept surfacing over

and over-the photo was only a fleeting glimpse, yet every moment burned vivid, Jeffrey's expression etched in

her mind, haunting her like a ghost that wouldn't go away.

14:17 Wed, Oct 8 M

Chapter 257

Suddenly, Riley's words crept in, sharp and clear

His best friend died. That line echoed in Rebecca's mind, raw and relentless.

He jumped to his death

Jeffrey was the one who had to identify his body and handle the funeral arrangements.

10 vouchers

Rebecca pulled the blanket up and rolled onto her side, as if she could block out all those feelings just by moving

away.

They were divorced now-nothing but strangers crossing paths in the sworld. Whatever had happened

before, whatever cafter, none of it mattered to her anymore.

But the more she told herself that, the harder it was to keep those thoughts from swirling, impossible to ignore.

At the stime, over on Samuel's side.

He held his phone watch, opened up Jeffrey's chat, but just couldn't figure out how to say what was on his mind.

After all, Jeffrey was still his dad. Now that he and Rebecca were divorced, Samuel felt like, as their son, he

should probably talk to him about it.

He waffled back and forth for a whole ten minutes.

In the end, he sent a message: [Mr. Hanson, | heard you and my mom got divorced?]

Jeffrey was still at the office working overtwhen Samuel's message popped up. He glanced at the clock-

00:03:47-and replied: [Worried?]

Samuel put on his usual smug little act.

He'd never admit to being worried when talking to Jeffrey-acting cool was just his thing around Dad.

“I'm happy,” Samuel said, sending a voice message because he couldn't be bothered to type. His voice was soft

and sweet, but with a cheeky little edge. “Super happy Mom can now officially go out and finda whole bunch

of new dads!”

Jeffrey played along, messaging back: [Once you've got them lined up, letknow—I'll cand check out all

your ten-plus stepdads.]

Samuel just stared at the screen, totally baffled.

‘Wow, Dad, that’s low even for you,’ Samuel thought, rolling his eyes.

Jeffrey: [It's getting late. Off to bed now.]

“Aren’t you going to sleep?” Samuel asked.

14:17 Wed, Oct 8 M...

Chapter 257

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“Somebody’s gotta work hard so you don’t start mistaking all those new dads for me.” Jeffrey replied, tossing.

out the excuse without missing a beat.

But Samuel's expression didn’t match Jeffrey's easy tone-he looked a lot more serious.

A few seconds later, he called Jeffrey.

Jeffrey picked up almost instantly. “Can't sleep?”

Instead of answering, Samuel asked, “Do you regret divorcing Mom?”

Jeffrey didn’t answer.

He'd never thought they'd really end up divorced-regret wasn’t even on his radar.

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over for dinner once a month,

Samuel said, trying to sound casual.

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Even if you guys don’t get back together, as long as you can be friends, that’s cool too.

Jeffrey's fingers clenched around his phone. After a beat, he said quietly, “Get ssleep.”

Samuel: “?”

Samuel sensed something was off.

With how shameless his dad usually was, he’d totally just tease him and say, “Why would | need you to put in a

good word for me?”

To Jeffrey, his wife was his to spoil-he never needed anyone else to help him out.

But now, dodging the question like that... was he hiding something from Samuel?

“Are you and Mom hiding something from me?” Samuel pressed.

“That's grown-up stuff, kiddo. Don’t go poking your nose in,” Jeffrey answered, still sounding just as calm.

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Mom up with someone new every

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fired back, going all in with his best

threat. The content is on

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“Well, at least match her with someone who's not a total loser,” Jeffrey returned, just as laid-back as always.

. “pr

Samuel puffed out his cheeks. “I'm

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for reall Amelia's been introducing