After the divorce he begged novel Chapter 86

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Jane had some idea about what was going on between Rebecca and Jeffrey, but she’d always thought of Rebecca as just a regular team member and never really paid much attention to her personal life.

But today, barely after Jeffrey had left, Jane’s phone buzzed–he’d sent her a message. At that moment, Jane finally got what her family had meant when they said Jeffrey had everything figured out.

It only took him a few days of watching before he saw right through Jane and knew exactly how she felt about Rebecca.

Rebecca said, “I’ll do my best and won’t hold you back.” Jane always looked out for her. Right now, the only way she could repay Jane was to put everything into her work.

Jane nodded in response.

They didn’t say much else. After a bit more casual chatter, Jane went to get some water, while Rebecca headed outside to make a video call.

Even though Rebecca knew Samuel was getting all the care he needed, she couldn’t help but worry a bit. The moment the video call went through, she asked, “Are you doing okay over there, honey?”

“I’m fine,” Samuel said as he set his tablet aside, his sweet little face full of innocence. He added, “But I do kinda miss you though.”

Rebecca felt her heart completely soften. She said, “Mommy misses you, too, sweetheart.”

They talked about this and that–one minute Rebecca was asking if he’d eaten enough, the next she was checking if he liked his classes. The whole conversation was comfortable and warm, like any nightly check–in between mom and kid.

That was, until a deep, steady voice came from the other end, saying, “Drink your milk first, then you can talk to your mom.”

Moments later, a pale, elegant hand holding a glass of milk slipped into view. The fingers were slender and impeccably neat–Rebecca didn’t even need to see the face to know instantly it was Jeffrey.

Rebecca thought, ‘So Jeffrey’s been with Samuel this whole time?‘

Samuel took the glass and gulped down the milk, then handed it right back. He said, “All done.”

“Okay,” Jeffrey responded.

Samuel blinked at him, puzzled.

Jeffrey leaned back lazily in his chair, left hand on the table. He asked, “Why are you looking at me? Go on, chat with your mom.”

“I wanna tell Mommy a secret,” Samuel said, not–so–subtly trying to shoo Jeffrey away.

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Chapter 86

Jeffrey said, “Just go ahead.”

:

Samuel said, “How am I supposed to, with you right here?”

Jeffrey frowned and said, “I’m not covering your mouth.”

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Samuel thought Jeffrey was honestly shameless. He blurted out, “Are you sticking around here on purpose just so you can overhear me and Mommy talking?”

Jeffrey glanced at the tablet screen, catching every flicker of Rebecca’s expression. He said, “You could say that. After all, you both pretty much hate my guts right now. For all I know, you might be talking smack behind my

back.”

Samuel said, “Mr. Hanson, don’t be so suspicious. If Mommy and I ever wanted to badmouth you, we’d just say it straight to you. No need to sneak around.”

Jeffrey repeated, “Mr. Hanson?”

Samuel blinked back at him, looking all innocent. He asked, “What?”

Jeffrey let out a chuckle and poked Samuel on the head. He then said, “Nice, kid. Make sure you use that name the next time you want me to bail you out.”

Samuel just went silent, his cheeks puffing up as if he was about to protest, but couldn’t say a word.

Seeing Samuel sulking like that, Jeffrey finally stood up and let him off the hook. On his way out, he locked eyes with Rebecca on the screen, giving her one last look before walking away.

Up to then, Rebecca had only seen Jeffrey’s hand handing Samuel the glass and heard their voices. Not until Jeffrey stood and walked out did she get a clear look at him.

Rebecca and Samuel ended up talking for almost another twenty minutes.

After reminding Samuel to stay warm with his blanket at night, Rebecca hung up. She didn’t head upstairs immediately–instead, she sat outside for a while, her mind wandering.

Rebecca realized she’d been totally blanking on Samuel’s tuition fees until tonight. If Samuel hadn’t teased Jeffrey by calling him “Mr. Hanson,” she probably wouldn’t have thought of it until summer break.

Tuition, room, board, fees–they were looking at well over 100 thousand dollars a semester, enough to make any wallet weep. Jeffrey covered part; Rebecca covered the rest.

Rebecca knew she had to pull in extra cash–fast. That night, she sketched a side–hustle roadmap, then headed upstairs, washed up, and crashed.

But bills kept piling, and the money stress wouldn’t quit; she tossed all night. Even on a rare off–day, her brain flashed the same nagging thought: if she’d stayed home, she could’ve knocked out another commission and plumped up her balance.

The next day, Rebecca spent time with everyone at the event and then joined the group rehearsing for Wednesday night’s performance.

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Chapter 86

The company car didn’t drop them off at home until it was almost four or five in the afternoon.

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When Rebecca got home, she dropped a message in the group chat: [Either of you free right now?]

Ian replied: [I’m free.]

Jessica replied: [Busy.]

Rebecca texted: [I need to go ask my dad something, but I don’t really want to go alone.]

After what happened before, Rebecca was extra cautious with stuff like this. Between the stuff May said and the way she acted, Rebecca was left totally in the dark about what was really going on between Amelia and Richard.

Rebecca figured she’d wait until Amelia woke up before discussing her situation. Still, she felt the need to figure out her relationship with Richard right now.

There was what Richard had said earlier: “Don’t you want to know why I abandoned back then?”

Half an hour later, Ian came to pick Rebecca up.

you and your mother

Dressed to turn heads as always, Ian leaned over the steering wheel while driving to the bar, making small talk with Rebecca. He said, “If you need anything these days, just come to me. Jessica’s totally swamped right now.”

“Didn’t she say she wouldn’t work for her dad for free?” Rebecca asked.

Jessica’s cards were still all on lockdown. Anything she wanted to buy had to go through her parents for approval. Jessica had been pretty mad about that for ages.

Ian said, “It’s not about work. I really have no clue what she’s doing. She won’t say a word, just acting all mysterious about it.”

“Jeffrey hasn’t sent anyone to check up on them lately, has he?” Rebecca asked, her mind still tangled up with Andrea. She just couldn’t shake the vibe that things weren’t as simple as they seemed.

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