After the divorce he begged novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Chapter 71

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69

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Rebecca never imagined Samuel could make such a remark. She wondered if her frequent contact with Ian mistakenly led Samuel to think she wanted a relationship.

Fortunately, everyone just treated it as a joke and didn’t take it seriously. After some casual banter, the matter was quickly dropped.

Ian then turned the conversation to Jessica’s situation, asking curiously, “Since when did Andrea become your sister?”

“She’s my father’s secret love child,” Jessica replied nonchalantly. “We just acknowledged her existence last week.”

Ian exclaimed, “This sounds like something straight out of a soap opera.”

Jessica took a sip of her drink. Before Andrea suddenly appeared at her doorstep, she’d never imagined such dramatic twists–a half–sister stealing her best friend’s man and bringing him to her home.

“Do you know about this, Becky?” Ian asked, noticing Rebecca scrolling through her phone.

Rebecca looked up. “What?”

Ian immediately sensed her distraction. “What’s wrong? You look…” he drew out the suspense, “oddly preoccupied.”

“Nothing important.” Rebecca set down her phone, rejoining the conversation. “I knew about Jessica’s situation from day one. It’s definitely soap opera material.”

Jessica stared at her from across the table. “You’re acting strangely.”

Ian said, “Exactly.”

Jessica spread her hand and demanded, “Hand over your phone.”

Ian mimicked her gesture and repeated, “Hand it over.”

“Copycat much?” Jessica shot back mercilessly. “Why repeat everything I say? If your brain’s just for show, I’ll donate it for you,”

“Look at her,” Ian complained to Rebecca, “she’s always yelling at me all day.”

“So what if I do? Rebecca’s on my side,” Jessica argued back. “Even if I beat you to death, she’d be the one handing me the tools.”

Rebecca quietly sipped her water, staying out of their bickering. She subtly deleted the message Jeffrey had just sent.

During their argument, Jeffrey had messaged her. I gave you custody rights not for outsiders to pick up our child.] The “outsider” referred to Jessica.

11:27 Sun, Sep 21

Chapter 71

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55 vouchers

She didn’t reply. Jessica was like a sister to her. She thought, ‘If Jessica counted as an outsider, what did that make him–always busy with work, leaving Victor to handle pickup duty?‘

“You’re getting sidetracked.” Ian finally refocused after their extended banter. “Weren’t we discussing how Becky was acting strangely while holding her phone earlier?”

“Was Jeffrey texting you just now?” Jessica asked.

“No, it was the company,” Rebecca said, not wanting to stress her out. “We’re having a two–day team–building event in the northern district next Monday and Tuesday.” The round trip would take four to five hours, an absurdly long commute.

Jessica immediately offered, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of Samuel.”

Rebecca pressed her lips together, instinct warning her that telling Jessica about Jeffrey’s message would earn Jessica’s wrath.

True enough, when Jessica learned Jeffrey planned to take Samuel back for a few days with Victor handling childcare, she launched into a furious tirade against him.

Still, she understood the legal reality. Until the divorce was finalized, Jeffrey retained equal parenting rights.

That night after Samuel fell asleep, Jessica called Rebecca with worried questions she’d avoided during dinner. Now they could speak freely.

“Don’t worry,” Rebecca reassured her. “I’ve got this under control.”

She withheld that Andrea worked as Jeffrey’s secretary at PrimePlay Technologies, and that Andrea would likely accompany him at the team–building event. Jessica already carried enough burdens.

Their late–night conversation ended near midnight. As Rebecca prepared to work on freelance illustrations, Jeffrey’s message flashed: [I’ll pick up Samuel tomorrow morning.]

Rebecca: [Weren’t we supposed to meet on Monday?]

Jeffrey: [Tomorrow’s Children’s Day.]

Rebecca paused her typing. She’d always remembered Children’s Day. Her original plan involved finishing morning dance lessons, decorating their home, baking Samuel’s cake, and then surprising him after his martial arts class ended.

But Jeffrey seemed determined to fulfill his birthday promise about taking Samuel to the amusement park.

Jeffrey: [I’ve arranged leave for his martial arts class. What about your dance lessons?]

Rebecca nearly suggested afternoon plans, but swallowed the words. Knowing Jeffrey’s recent attitude, she realized arguments would only fuel more custody threats.

She figured he’d inevitably weaponize it as proof of maternal neglect, leveraging it in future custody battles.

After deliberation, Rebecca contacted Lucas. She carefully explained the scheduling conflict.

11:27 Sun, Sep 21

Chapter 71

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55 vouchers

“Actually, I was about to reach out,” Lucas confessed. “I completely forgot about Children’s Day. I promised Emily an outing. Tomorrow might be…”

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