<b>Chapter </b>3


    Jeffrey sat rxed on the sofa, still wearing the custom gray suit from that morning’s divorce. proceedings. His manner seemed casually detached as he made light conversation with the doctor, showing no apparent effect from the recent split.


    When Reba entered the room, Jeffrey’s eyes lifted to meet hers.


    Reba’s hands clenched unconsciously at her sides, her eyes revealing clear distaste and resentment.


    “You’ve arrived, Ms. Jensen,” the doctor, Timothy Johnson, greeted simply.


    She averted her gaze and replied quietly, “Hello, Dr. Johnson.


    “As we discussed on the phone, here is the monthly payment schedule. Please review it, and if everything appears correct,plete your information and sign at the bottom,” Timothy exined while handing her the form.


    Reba epted the document, and her heart sank as her eyes fell on the amount–hundreds of thousands due every single month.


    If her father hadn’t taken her pre–marital assets, she might have managed the payments for a few months. But now, with nothing left, covering such a significant expense seemed nearly impossible.


    “If the cost presents a burden, you may choose from one of these alternative ns,” Timothy offered, noticing her hesitation as he presented another set of documents.


    While the new treatment n was considerably cheaper than the current one, it still cost tens of thousands of dors each month.


    When Timothy noticed she was still carefully reviewing the documents, his eyes instinctively moved toward Jeffrey.


    Jeffrey responded with an almost imperceptible nod that Timothy immediately understood.


    “Take your time looking through those options,” Timothy said as he stood up, slipping his phone into his pocket. “I need to check on another patient. If none of those ns work for you, we can discuss alternatives when I return.”


    Reba remainedpletely focused on the treatment ns before her. “Alright,” she responded quietly.


    Timothy left promptly, making sure to close the door behind him as he exited.


    19:52 Sun, 14 Sept


    <b>64</b>%.


    With only Reba and Jeffrey remaining in the office, the silence became so profound that even the slightest sound would have been noticeable.


    “No matter how intently you study those documents,” Jeffrey began, his tone maintaining its characteristic casual detachment, “your financial resources will never be sufficient to cover your


    mother’s extensive medical expenses<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    A surge of anger rushed through Reba as she turned a furious re toward him.


    “Not to mention you’ll have to find a new ce to live and provide for Samuel,” Jeffrey added.


    Reba stared directly at him and asked, “What exactly are you suggesting?”


    “I’m willing to consider this divorce as nothing more than a temporary outburst,” Jeffrey said as he stood up and approached her. “If you never bring it up again, I’ll continue covering your mother’s expenses, and you can remain as my wife.”


    “What about Andrea?” Reba questioned.


    “The two of you won’t have to interact,” Jeffrey stated calmly. “If her presence bothers you, I can. ensure she stayspletely out of your life!


    “How thoughtful of you,” Reba replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.


    “You know what choice makes the most sense for you, Jeffrey continued, ignoring her sarcasm as if negotiating a business deal. “Someone who’s grown ustomed to luxury understands how difficult it is to return to simplicity.”


    Reba understood perfectly well–she had never experienced true hardship throughout her entire


    life.


    Before her family’s downfall, Reba had never once worried about money. The crisis struck so suddenly that she barely had time to process what was happening before Jeffrey stepped in and


    married her.


    He gave her credit cards with no spending limit, so money was the least of her worries.


    Even if Jeffrey were with Andrea, it wouldn’t mean he’d treat Reba any worse. He’d still give her everything she wanted and care for her with the same devotion as always–so in his mind, she really


    had no reason not to be content.


    But to Reba, life wasn’t just about money–pride and dignity mattered, too.


    “Pride and dignity don’t pay the bills,” Jeffrey said, his voice cutting through her defenses. “The world.


    19:52 Su


    out there isn’t nearly as forgiving as you imagine. In your position? Without me, you wouldn’t survive


    a week,”


    “Don’t bother pretending to care,” Reba retorted. “Worry about yourself.”


    “Reba,” Jeffrey pressed, unable to understand why she was being so stubborn.


    “If there’s nothing else, Mr. Hanson, you should go. The doctor and I have things to discuss,” Reba said, her tone colder than ever. “I don’t have time for your condescending advice.”


    Jeffrey didn’t get angry. Instead, he just continued watching her,


    Under his persistent gaze, Reba’s defenses slowly began to weaken.


    She clenched the papers in her hand and forced herself to maintain eye contact, determined to win this silent battle of wills despite the pressure.


    “You have one minute to make your decision,” Jeffrey said with deliberate calmness. “If you agree within that time, I’ll forget this ever happened. After that, you’ll be nothing to me, and even if youe begging, I likely won’t care.”


    Reba turned to look out the window, her silent action serving as his answer.


    Jeffrey didn’t extend his stay beyond the time he had set and left immediately when time expired.


    He considered her behavior ungrateful, believing that sometimes people needed to learn through hardship to recognize who genuinely cared for them.


    The door mmed shut with a loud bang that made Reba’s heart jump in her chest.


    She never thought their love needed to be passionate. To her, it was something deeper and more. constant. Now, that certainty was gone, and doubt crept in..


    She was still lost in thought about her marriage when Timothy entered the room.


    Before he could say a word, Rebaposed herself and spoke up first. “Dr. Johnson, I’ll take this information home, to think it over before giving you my answer. Is that eptable?”


    “Certainly,” Timothy responded promptly. “Though we would appreciate your decision rtively soon, preferably about ten days before the payment deadline.”


    “Understood, thank you,” Reba replied. Then she took the treatment n with her and walked


    out.


    She decided her first step should be to search for employment. If she could secure a position with


    19:53 Sun, 14 Sept


    <b>62</b>%


    Her mother had received excellent care there over the years,rgely due to Jeffrey’s connections. Transferring her to another facility would likely mean a decline in the quality of her treatment.


    Her mother remained her only true family in the world and the one person who genuinely loved her. The thought of anything unfortunate happening to her was unbearable.


    Lost in these thoughts, Reba left the hospital and began her journey home.


    During the entire trip, she was thinking about how to break the news of the divorce <b>to </b>her son, Samuel.


    Samuel had always been exceptionally bright and mature for his age, rarely requiring her supervision. But Reba still worried about how he would handle the news, since divorce was difficult for any child to process.


    Yet her deep concern for their child’s feelings stood in stark contrast to Jeffrey’s apparent indifference.


    The moment she arrived home, she was met with a disgusting scene.


    Andrea and Jeffrey sat closely together on the couch, with Andrea feigning concern as she said, “This is still your home with Reba. Are you certain it’s appropriate for me to be here?”


    “It’s <b>fine</b>,” Jeffrey responded in a low voice.


    Andrea bit her lip nervously. “But…”


    “She will be moving out soon,” Jeffrey reassured her. “After <b>that</b>, this will be your home.”


    Andrea gazed up at him, their eyes locking in such an intense connection that they remainedpletely unaware of Reba’s return,