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    Reba pushed against his chest, but Jeffrey’s skilled caresses left her boneless within moments.


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    His broad palm slid to her waist, the satin skin making him linger, yet he noticed she’d grown noticeably


    thinner.


    “Haven’t you been eating properly?” Jeffrey halted, his obsidian gaze pinning her.


    Reba seized the moment to shove him away. “Not your concern.”


    Her cheeks burned scarlet, whether from fury or arousal remained unclear.


    Her red lips, glistening with dampness, looked irresistibly alluring under the light.


    “What do you think you’re doing?” Reba instinctively stepped backward as he advanced, her back hitting the wall within two paces.


    Jeffrey braced one arm beside her, his tall frame bending slightly as thin lips parted. His deep, attractive voice washed over her. “Stop looking at me like you’re the injured party here.”


    Reba red, thinking, ‘Am I not the injured party?‘


    “You mean to say you didn’t enjoy any of that?” Jeffrey closed the distance, his clean,forting scent enveloping her again.


    “Not at all,” Reba lied through clenched teeth.


    Jeffrey knew her too well. Every sensitive spoty bare. In her emotional upheaval, his unexpected tenderness had momentarily breached her defenses.


    She knew this was wrong. Yet shattered as she was, maintaining basic rationality felt beyond her grasp.


    “Is that so?” Jeffrey’s voice dropped to a coaxing murmur, his free hand settling at her waist. “Then you won’t mind if I verify that?”


    Reba hadn’t anticipated such shamelessness.


    “Are you feeling guilty?” Jeffrey asked.


    Reba raised her hand to strike him.


    Jeffrey effortlessly caught her wrist and drawled, “Does this count asshing out from embarrassment?”


    “You’re shameless!” Reba snapped.


    “But you just said Ick dignity and self–respect.” Jeffrey remained unruffled.


    Reba’s retort died in her throat. After a tense pause, she shook her restrained arm and muttered, “Let go.”


    Jeffrey maintained his grip, which was gentle yet unyielding.


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    After several futile attempts to break free, Reba enunciated sharply, “Do you know this qualifies as harassment?”


    “Showing affection to my wife is called flirting,” Jeffrey countered.


    Reba’s delicate features twisted with mockery. “When did I be your wife? Wasn’t I supposed to be the other woman?”


    Jeffrey was confused.


    Reba reminded him, “You said it yourself–those not loved are the other women.”


    Jeffrey retorted confidently, “Did I ever say I don’t love you?”


    Reba paused to reflect. From the beginning until now, Jeffrey had said many hurtful things and done plenty of unforgivable acts. Yet, it was true–he’d never once imed he didn’t love her.


    “If you truly love someone, you don’t bring another person into your lives,” she countered, realizing she’d stumbled into his verbal trap. “The day you brought Andrea into our home marked the end of your love for


    me.”


    Jeffrey’s lips parted briefly before he stated inly, “I don’t love her.”


    Reba’s gaze turned icy with disbelief. ‘Not love her? Then why bring Andrea into our lives? Why vow to care for her for the rest of your life?‘ she thought.


    “It’s not what you think between us,” Jeffrey said, unwilling to exin his perceived obligations. He knew no justification could erase the pain his actions caused Reba.


    Facts were facts. No excuses could undo them.


    “It doesn’t matter anymore,” Reba replied coldly, defenses rising. “All I need to know is you’ll support her, and I’m expected to tolerate her presence.”


    Jeffrey’s gaze darkened incrementally. That was indeed the case. He couldn’t argue with it.


    “Samuel is about to get up.” Reba nced at the time, locking eyes with him again. “Move.”


    “This habit of discarding people after using them really hasn’t changed.” Jeffrey withdrew his hand and strolled toward the sofa with leisure.


    Reba remained silent. As the warmth and presence before her withdrew, her heart contracted imperceptibly.


    She turned toward the bedroom just as Samuel opened the door, the fully dressed toddler padding out while calling in milky tones. “Mommy.”


    “You’re up already?” Rebaposed herself to ruffle his hair. “Go brush your teeth. Daddy brought breakfast.”


    Samuel shot a nce at theposed figure on the couch but didn’t address him.


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    Watching this, Jeffrey suddenly recalledments about Samuel inheriting his temper. Yet this level of grudge–holding clearly came from Reba’s lineage.


    By seven o’clock, when Samuel finished washing up, he silently joined them at the breakfast table, chattering exclusively with Reba while pointedly ignoring Jeffrey throughout the meal.


    “Mommy,” Samuel suddenly dered, “I don’t want to go to the amusement park.”


    Reba asked softly, “Why?”


    Samuel lowered his head, unsure of how to exin.


    He didn’t want his long–awaited day to be ruined by a phone call from someone else. Given Jeffrey’s concern for that woman, Samuel knew his father would leave if she called.


    Mommy would feel hurt then. He couldn’t bear seeing her pretend to be cheerful for his sake while suffering inside.


    “Today is only for you,” Jeffrey said, sensing his son’s unspoken worries.


    Samuel finally looked up, his round eyes revealing suppressed emotions. “Is it a promise or a simplemitment?”


    Jeffrey answered firmly, “A promise.”


    Content with this assurance, Samuel began eating his breakfast obediently.


    He’d woken when Jeffrey arrived earlier. While initially nning to join his parents, he paused upon hearing their conversation, hearing his father confess lingering love for Reba while denying feelings for that other


    woman.


    The confusion lingered. ‘Why would someone im love yet stay with another?‘ he thought.


    But he knew this was a rare chance for Jeffrey and Reba to be together peacefully. He still hoped Jeffrey would turn over a new leaf and stay with Mommy.


    Others might be nice, but he was more used to his original father.


    Reba understood why Samuel had said those words after hearing the father–son conversation.


    After breakfast, they left wearing casual outfits. Reba was in light–colored leisurewear, and Samuel was in overalls. The trio looked stunning together.


    Throughout the day, both Reba and Jeffrey were fully focused on apanying Samuel, letting him


    choose all activities.


    Andrea watched from a distance, her face darkening. Her friend nudged her. “Stop torturing yourself. Weren’t we getting manicures? Let’s go.”


    “Has his heart ever really been with me?” Andrea suddenly asked.


    She’d never seen that particr softness in his eyes before, nor that genuine smile.


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    His tenderness toward her had always felt like preprogrammed motions from some rtionship manual.