hapter 152


    “I’ve been screaming inside for a while now,” Reba admitted truthfully. She was very excited. Ever since Reba heard the good news from Jessica, her heart hadn’t settled down for a single moment


    She couldn’t figure out how to put all these feelings into words. All she knew for sure was that her mom was getting better.


    “Never mind. If I were you, I’d be totally speechless too,” Jessica said, knowing her all too well. “Ms. Jensen is almost awake, and she needs time to recover, and Samuel will start elementary school next year. Have you thought about your next n?”


    Reba paused, thinking it over. “I want to leave Jsburg”


    Outside the break room, as soon as Reba uttered those words, Jeffrey, who was leaning against the wall, felt a chill settling deep into his bones. His eyes turned cold, and a frosty aura began to surround him.


    “Jeffrey doesn’t want to divorce me,” Reba said, finally finding, her courage. “I can’t stand seeing him get involved with Andrea. The only way out for me is to leave”


    ‘Worst case scenario, I can just keep Samuel in private school all the way through, Reba thought to herself. ‘Once he’s done with high school, he can go study abroad


    “But you know Jeffrey. It doesn’t matter if you run to the ends of the world–he’ll always track you down, Jessica said. “Still, judging by that property transfer, Ms. Jensen’s no ordinary wortan. Maybe she will get some way out of this.”


    “Let’s talk about it after she wakes up,” Reba replied. She’d already worked out a nst night. “After she wakes, she’ll need some time for rehab. That’ll be just enough time for us to make our next move”


    “Is that so?” An icy voice sounded.


    Reba startled, almost fumbling her phone. Wh demeanor cold and distant, those eyes simp heart clenched, and she instinctively re


    Jessica,pletely oblivious I’m gonna go check on M


    Reb <ol><li>m. </li></ol>


    turned around, she saw Jeffrey was right there, his danger–like he might swallow her whole. Reba’s


    e, kept talking, “Yeah, you’re right. I’ll let you get back to work.


    above a whisper.


    notice it, just figured Reba was keeping quiet because she was at work. it a second thought.


    <b>et</b>–every sound seemed to echo, Reba and Jeffrey stared each other down, a’s heart pounded with guilt and fear, while Jeffrey just looked on with that icy,


    would’ve noticed how much you matter to me by now, Jeffrey said, his voice icier than ever- at was almost more chilling than if he’d yelled. “And yet, all you’re thinking about is leaving


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    <b>“</b><b>Is </b>it so wrong that I want to go?” Reba shot back, forcing herself to meet his eyes as she challenged him.


    Jeffrey advanced on her, each step unyielding, shrinking the space between them. With every step, it was as if he was crushing her heart under his heel–Reba could barely breathe, terror and dread gripping her tighter with each movement.


    “Yes, it is,” Jeffrey replied.


    Reba was just about to argue back, but before she could open her mouth, Jeffrey cornered her against the wall. He loomed over her, eyes unyielding, making the whole space feel suffocating.


    Staring down at her, Jeffrey said, “I’m never your first choice. You’ve never really, truly chosen me.”


    “Don’t go ming me–maybe you should look at what you’ve done first,” Reba pushed back, though deep down his words left a sting she couldn’t shake. “If you weren’t so determined to take care of Andrea, I never would’ve wanted to leave.”


    Jeffrey pressed his lips into a tight line, silent. His eyes, dark as midnight, were filled with a cold, almost icy chill.


    “You looked into every part of my life before we got married, so you know exactly what she’s done to me,” Reba finally got the words out, her tone trembling but resolute.


    She continued, “You never cared how I felt about her, and you still want to keep her in your life. So why shouldn’t I walk away?”


    The tension around Jeffrey got even heavier, almost choking the air, but he still kept his truest thoughts buried deep inside, refusing to say a word. ‘It wouldn’t make a damn difference whether I say it out loud or keep it to myself,‘ he thought.


    “You are not gonna make it,” he said coldly, his tone absolute.


    “Back when I filed for divorce, you thought I’de running back. But I didn’t,” Reba shot back, fire in her voice. “Now you think you can keep me here? Just watch–one day, I’ll leave for good.”


    “Just try,” Jeffrey said, his gaze sinking coldly.


    Reba’s lips parted, about to snap back, but Jeffrey cut her off with a chilling threat. “Just go, and I’ll target Jessica and Ian. I’m not a man of kind–you know that.”


    “Go ahead and try me,” Reba snapped back, her tone fierce despite the tremor in her voice, refusing to back down.


    Jeffrey’s reply was relentless. “You know damn well I would.”


    Reba’s hands clenched tight at her sides, knuckles bone–white from rage. Her nails dug so hard into her palms that they left a sharp, angry welt.


    “You can be soft with everyone else,” Jeffrey said, expression tight with hurt. “But when ites to me, you are


    so cruel.”


    O


    “That’s your own fault,” Reba retorted, her words biting.


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    “Yeah,” Jeffrey replied. “You are right. I brought it on myself. But we’re husband and wife. If I’m suffering, you’re not getting away. Jsburg is your home, Reba’s Manor is your nest, and even after we’re long gone, you’ll still be buried right beside me.”


    “Can you stop being so damn unreasonable?” Reba’s voice trembled with fear.


    Jeffrey threatened her with Jessica andn, and she wouldn’t be able to stand by and do nothing. But she could never be okay with him caring about another woman while they were together, and she could never, ever forget everything that had happened before.


    “Drop any thought of leaving Jsburg,” Jeffrey said calmly, his eyes disturbingly steady–almost maddened. “There’s no escaping me. You’re not going anywhere.”


    With that, he turned and walked away. He didn’t nce back at the hatred, disgust, and sorrow burning in her eyes. He was just afraid he’d go soft, couldn’t bear seeing her so downhearted.


    “I’m leaving–no matter what,” Reba snapped.


    ‘The more he tries to trap me, the more I want to get out,’ she swore to herself.


    Jeffrey didn’t look back as he walked out of the break room. In the empty hallway, he was the only one left, and the man who always looked tall and proud now seemed strangely lonely.


    Reba leaned against the wall, feelings crashing through her. She lingered there for a good while, collecting herself before finally heading back to her seat for some overtime. But her heavy heart made it nearly impossible to be creative.


    She just stared at her canvas for ages, unable to make even one more stroke. All she could think about was Amelia possibly waking up and how Jeffrey tried to stop their divorce.


    “Hey<i>, </i>howe you’re still at this stage?” E suddenly spoke up, her voice snapping Reba out of her thoughts. Reba hadn’t even noticed when E walked over. She peered at the screen in shock, seeing there was barely more than a draft.


    Reba blinked, feeling down. “I’m kinda stuck.”


    “You’re way too talented to be stuck like this,” E said, her voiceced with concern. She nced around to make sure no one was listening, and then leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Is it because of Mr. Hanson?”


    Reba froze<i>, </i>surprised that E knew it.


    “I saw Mr. Hanson leaving the break room a little after eight,” E admitted. “He looked just the same as always, but there was this vibe about him–like he was putting up a wall, daring anyone to get close. Honestly, he seemed pretty pissed.”


    Reba forced a smile, though it was so faint that it barely counted. ‘Seriously? He’s pissed?‘ Reba thought, her heart full of irony. ‘Shouldn’t I be the one who’s pissed here?‘


    “It’ste. If you’re stuck, just leave it for now,” E said as she eyed Reba’s canvas–just patches of color and


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    nowhere close to being finished. “Tomorrow, just exin things to the pro. I think she won’t mind.”


    Reba grabbed her phone to check the time. ‘Wait, seriously? I was only spacing out for a minute, and it’s sote already? I thought it was only a little past nine, Reba mumbled to herself, still in disbelief.


    But the moment she saw it was already 00:24, her mind went nk. All those tangled–up emotions disappeared in an instant, leaving her wide awake and sort of shocked.