??
“Sorry I couldn’t make it to get the marriage license on time,” Jeffrey said, his voice a little hoarse.
He remembered how everything went ck and his cars started ringing that morning. He’d wanted to call Reba to exin, but the moment he picked up his phone, his legs gave out and he copsed. He’d only just
Reba replied, “It’s fine. We can goter.”
Jeffrey just gave a quiet hum.
The room fell into a heavy, awkward silence between Jeffrey and Reba.
Neither of them broke it; for a long moment, they just let the silence linger.
Reba stood up with her phone, deliberately putting on an indifferent and distant expression. “I’m going to let Dr. Johnson and Gregory know.”
“Please don’t go,” Jeffrey said, unable to hold back, reaching out to grab her wrist.
Reba stopped, facing him, pausing in ce.
Jeffrey’s eyes lingered on her, and he couldn’t bring himself to let go of her wrist. “Just for a little while.”
Reba steadied her emotions, and when she looked at him again, there was nothing in her eyes but endless, icy distance. “I hope you don’t forget what you promised in Honn.”
Her words stabbed into Jeffrey’s chest like a knife.
His grip on Reba’s wrist slowly loosened until his hand fell weakly to his side.
Reba didn’t look back at him, just turned around and left the hospital room. She went to let Gregory and Dr. Johnson know he was awake.
Everyone came over to check on him.
Dr. Johnson started asking how Jeffrey was feeling.
Jeffrey answered each question, but his eyes kept drifting past everyone else to Reba, who stood off to the side with an icy, detached look. It really was like she didn’t love him at all anymore; her eyes were totally emotionless.
“Nothing serious–just get some rest,” Dr. Johnson told him.
Jeffrey’s gaze was quiet, withdrawn.
Dr. Johnson kept on with the instructions. “And don’t forget, you’ve got to eat three proper meals a day…”
Jeffrey called out, “Gregory.”
<b>14:16 </b>Wed, Oct 8 M
Gregory stepped up. “I’m here.”
Jeffrey said, “Go get my discharge done.”
Dr. Johnson just stared in disbelief.
‘So much for everything I just said,‘ Dr. Johnson thought, silently cursing his luck.
<b>80 </b>
5 vouchers
“Got it,” Gregory replied. He knew there was no way he or Dr. Johnson could change Jeffrey’s mind, and right now, Reba was dead set on the divorce, so she wasn’t going to talk him out of it either.
“Mr. Hanson, your body isn’t fit for any morete nights,” Dr. Johnson said bravely. “Keep pushing on like this and something bad’s bound to happen.”
Jeffrey grabbed his clothes and pulled them on, his eyescking any warmth. “I’m not working overtime.”
Dr. Johnson pressed further, “So what’s the hurry to leave?”
Jeffrey’s lips barely moved: “Getting divorced.”
Dr. Johnson froze for a second, then awkwardly shifted his gaze toward Reba.
The room wentpletely silent–everyone knew better than to say a word.
Jeffrey finished buttoning his shirt, grabbed his suit jacket, and got out of bed. After a few hours of sleep, he was back to his usual self. He turned to Gregory and said, “Get the car ready. We’re heading to the courthouse.”
“They’re already closed by now,” Gregory said, ncing over at Reba.
He was secretly wishing Reba would convince Jeffrey to have a meal first.
Just so Jeffrey wouldn’t ruin his stomach.
Jeffrey’s gaze fell on Reba, making it clear–if she insisted on going now, he’d have Gregory try to work something out. But if she was willing to wait until the office opened in the afternoon, they’d go get something to eat first.
“Let’s meet at the courthouse at two this afternoon,” Reba said, cold and detached, not even ncing back as she slipped her phone into her bag. “I’m heading out.”
“Let me give you a ride,” Gregory offered.
“That’s not necessary,” Mark cut in, looking even more serious than Tommy. “I’ll make sure Ms. Jensen gets there myself.”
Tommy shot him a thumbs–up.
Mark politely gave one back.
Everyone was just dumbfounded.
B
<b>80 </b>
75 voncters
‘Seriously, what’s up with those two?‘ they all thought.
After Reba and Mark made their exit, the hospital room stayed awkwardly silent, with the whole crew trading hesitant nces–nobody had a clue what to say next, and the vibe was downright strange.
No one wanted to tempt fate by saying something at a time like this.
Except Tommy.
Tommy marched right up to Jeffrey, like he hadn’t even noticed the tension in the air. “Boss, time to eat.” <fncf41> Read full story at fι?dnοvel</fncf41>
Jeffrey didn’t even register Tommy’s words; all he could think about was the cold, distant look Reba had just given him.
“Tommy said you’ve been feeling queasy after eatingtely, like you can’t keep anything down,” Gregory said with a cautious tone. “Is that true?”
Jeffrey nced up, his eyes flickering briefly.
Tommy froze, lookingpletely thrown off.
Tommy stared back at him in disbelief. “Hey, I never said that!”
Gregory didn’t miss a beat, teasing him, “Well, if it wasn’t you, how else would we know?”
Barry went, “Mm.”
Dr. Johnson echoed, “Mm.”
“Hey, you guys told me to tell Ms. Jensen, and she’s the one who said it,” Tommy protested, eager to prove he could keep a secret. “It’s got nothing to do with me!”
Jeffrey’s eyes showed a flicker of emotion.
Gregory jumped in, “Mr. Hanson, you really should eat something for your own good. Your stomach’s a pretty important part of your body, you know.”
Seeing Jeffrey stay quiet, Gregory pressed his luck. “If you don’t say anything, I’ll just take that as a yes, alright?”
“Barry, get the car ready,” Gregory said, quick on his feet. “I’ll go book a restaurant.”
“Got it,” Barry replied, jumping into action.
About half an hourter, they turned up at the same restaurant where Reba and Mark were having their meal.
Mark called it out without hesitation. “Ms. Jensen, looks like they totally followed you here.”
Reba stayed frosty. “Just ignore them.”
Mark shrugged. “You got it.”
<b>80 </b>
1 vauchers
While Jeffrey and his group were still waiting for their food, Reba and Mark had already finished eating and left the ce.
Through it all, Jeffrey didn’t exchange a single word with Reba–he simply watched her walk away, her silhouette fading from view.
Gregory was seriously kicking himself; if he hadn’t spent so long figuring out which restaurant Reba chose, maybe Jeffrey could’ve at least had a few more minutes with her.
“Boss, I…” Gregory started, but Jeffrey didn’t let him finish.
“Don’t purposely pick the same restaurant as Reba,” Jeffrey said, forcing himself to keep a lid on his feelings. “I promised her–I won’t show up in front of her unless it’s about the divorce<i>.” </i>
“But our circles are way too tight,” Gregory said, sounding a little helpless. “It’s pretty much impossible not to run into her, especially at those business dinners.”
The Hanson Group mainly operates out of Jsburg, but we’ve still got strong ties with people in Honn.
Now that Ms. Jensen’s dealing with the Quinn and Guzman families, totally staying out of her way isn’t just hard–it’s almost impossible.
Jeffrey said, “Then I’ll just stay away.”
Gregory hesitated for a moment, but eventually agreed. “Alright, if that’s what you want.”
Jeffrey barely ate anything, just poked at his food and gave up, setting his utensils aside. Gregory was about to say something, but after one look at how lost and silent Jeffrey was, he decided not to push it.
Two o’clock sharp, Reba and Jeffrey arrived outside the courthouse, each keeping their distance.
With all their paperwork ready, they headed inside together–silent, focused, and with nothing but business between them.
Watching Jeffrey and Reba together, looking like they were made for each other, Barry shot Gregory a sideways nce. “So we’re just gonna stand by and watch Mr. Hanson and Ms. Jensen get divorced?”
Gregory nodded, the answering out quieter than usual. “Yeah…”
Barry couldn’t help muttering, “Just talking about the divorce has already messed up the boss. If it really happens, he’ll fall apart for real.”
Gregory stayed silent, not saying a word.
Gregory felt the same worry gnawing at him.
It was out of their hands now–nothing they said or did could change what had already been decided.
“You’re really just going to stand by and watch Ms. Jensen get divorced? Not gonna say a word?” Barry asked,
ncing over at Mark, who was just standing there, looking unfazed and cool as ever.
Mark deadpanned, “Say what, exactly?”
Barry lifted a brow. “I dunno, maybe your thoughts?”
Mark spoke, every word clear and steady, “Better off apart.”
Gregory:…
Barry:…
80
10 vouchers