“Really?” Ian still looked uneasy.


    :


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    “Seriously,” Jessica scoffed, rolling her eyes. “You’re never this awkward about anything else. It’s like you turn. into a whole different person when it’s about feelings.”


    Ian mumbled, “You wouldn’t understand.”


    Jessica shrugged, “Maybe I don’t. But honestly, if you don’t even have the guts to admit you like someone, then what’s the point?”


    “Yeah, right. Like you’d ever confess if you fell for someone,” Ian retorted.


    “What’s there to be scared of?” Jessica said confidently. “If I ever find a guy I like and he’s not taken, I’d chase after him with everything I’ve got.”


    Ian’s lips twitched.


    Jessica ground her teeth. “What’s with that face?”


    Ian, not the least bit worried about getting smacked, said, “Honestly, I feel bad for whoever you decide to like.”


    He really couldn’t picture Jessica actually having a crush on someone. With how quick she was to throw punches whenever she got annoyed, he’d bet if someone didn’t like her back, she’d just chase them down and rough them up.


    “Careful, or I’ll go tell Reba you like her right now,” Jessica teased, knowing full well he was asking for it.


    “Anyone you fall for is blessed beyond belief!” Ian backpedaled instantly, realizing he couldn’t afford to cross ‘her. “Honestly, whoever ends up as your husband is going to be one lucky guy.”


    Jessica rolled her eyes and didn’t bother responding.


    She nced in the direction Reba had gone, then started the car and drove off.


    When Reba walked in, Amelia and Samuel were waiting for her in the living room. The moment Samuel saw her, he toddled over as fast as his little legs could carry him and threw his arms around her. “Mommy!”


    Reba crouched down to hug him back.


    Samuel gave her a loud, smacking kiss on the cheek.


    Reba was a little surprised. ‘Why is he being so affectionate all of a sudden?‘ she wondered.


    “Mommy,” Samuel called out sweetly.


    Reba’s voice lifted at the end, her face soft with affection. “Yes?”


    Samuel’s big, round eyes were absolutely adorable. “Are you feeling better now?<i>” </i>


    <b>14:16 </b>Wed, Oct 8 M


    Reba reached out and ruffled his hair. “Just seeing you makes me happy.”


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    “If anything everes up, you can always talk to me or Amelia,” Samuel said, clutching Reba’s hand seriously, as if he was making her a solemn little promise. “We’ll always be your family, no matter what.”


    Reba paused, surprised by his tender words.


    She understood–her son was trying tofort her about what happened between her and Jeffrey.


    Back in those years when she was married, Reba used to tell Jeffrey everything, big or small. Their rtionship had been really, really good.


    “Okay,” Reba replied softly.


    Maybe it was because she was surrounded by the warmth of her family, or maybe she hadn’t really had time to process it yet. Or maybe her heart just felt empty after everything.


    At this moment, the whole divorce thing didn’t stir up much in her–she mostly just felt a faint, lingering regret over all the memories from those five beautiful years.


    “Try to get some sleep tonight. In a couple days, I’ll go with you for the property transfer,” Amelia said. She’d only had her ident a year after Reba and Jeffrey got married, so she knew all too well just how close those two had once been.


    “No need,” Reba answered, not wanting to stop for a break. “Let’s do it tomorrow.”


    Amelia reminded her, “Once all that stuff is in your name, the Quinn family will probably call you over to talk things through. Will you be okay?”


    It’s not that Amelia doubted her.


    But after five years in a rtionship that deep, there’s just no way someone could walk away without being affected.


    Amelia herself had broken up with Ryan cleanly on the surface, but it took her ages to work through her feelings afterward.


    “Alright, the property transfer will take a few days to go through anyway,” Reba said, not wanting to sit around idle. “That’ll give me plenty of time to sort myself out.”


    “Okay,” Amelia said, not pushing the topic any further.


    That night fell heavy and silent.


    Reba thought she could get through it, fall asleep without a hitch, but she’d misjudged herself–there was no escaping the ache tonight.


    As the hours dragged by, her thoughts refused to settle. The image Stephen had shown her kept surfacing over and over–the photo was only a fleeting glimpse, yet every moment burned vivid, Jeffrey’s expression etched in her mind, haunting her like a ghost that wouldn’t go away.


    Suddenly, Riley’s words crept in, sharp and clear


    His best friend died. That line echoed in Reba’s mind, raw and relentless.


    He jumped to his death


    Jeffrey was the one who had to identify his body and handle the funeral arrangements.


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    Reba pulled the nket up and rolled onto her side, as if she could block out all those feelings just by moving away.


    They were divorced now–nothing but strangers crossing paths in the same world. Whatever had happened before, whatever came after, none of it mattered to her anymore.


    But the more she told herself that, the harder it was to keep those thoughts from swirling, impossible to ignore.


    At the same time, over on Samuel’s side.


    He held his phone watch, opened up Jeffrey’s chat, but just couldn’t figure out how to say what was on his mind.


    After all, Jeffrey was still his dad. Now that he and Reba were divorced, Samuel felt like, as their son, he should probably talk to him about it.


    He waffled back and forth for a whole ten minutes.


    In the end, he sent a message: [Mr. Hanson, I heard you and my mom got divorced?]


    Jeffrey was still at the office working overtime when Samuel’s message popped up. He nced at the clock- 00:03:47–and replied: [Worried?]


    Samuel put on his usual smug little act.


    He’d never admit to being worried when talking to Jeffrey–acting cool was just his thing around Dad.


    “I’m happy,” Samuel said, sending a voice message because he couldn’t be bothered to type. His voice was soft and sweet, but with a cheeky little edge. “Super happy Mom can now officially go out and find me a whole bunch of new dads!”


    Jeffrey yed along, messaging back: [Once you’ve got them lined up, let me know—I’lle and check out all your ten–plus stepdads.]


    Samuel just stared at the screen, totally baffled.


    ‘Wow, Dad, that’s low even for you,‘ Samuel thought, rolling his eyes.


    Jeffrey: [It’s gettingte. Off to bed now.]


    “Aren’t you going to sleep?” Samuel asked.


    <b>14:17 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b>Oct 8 M…


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    “Somebody’s gotta work hard so you don’t start mistaking all those new dads for me.” Jeffrey replied, tossing. out the excuse without missing a beat.


    But Samuel’s expression didn’t match Jeffrey’s easy tone–he looked a lot more serious.


    A few secondster, he called Jeffrey.


    Jeffrey picked up almost instantly. “Can’t sleep?”


    Instead of answering, Samuel asked, “Do you regret divorcing Mom?”


    Jeffrey didn’t answer.


    He’d never thought they’d really end up divorced–regret wasn’t even on his radar.


    “If you actually apologize to Mom, and swear you won’t mess up ever again, I might just help you out and say some nice things about you to Mom. Maybe I’ll even let youe over for dinner once a month,” Samuel said, trying to sound casual. ‘Honestly, I just want you and Mom to get along,’ he thought.


    Even if you guys don’t get back together, as long as you can be friends, that’s cool too.


    Jeffrey’s fingers clenched around his phone. After a beat, he said quietly, “Get some sleep.”


    Samuel: “?”


    Samuel sensed something was off.


    With how shameless his dad usually was, he’d totally just tease him and say, “Why would I need you to put in a good word for me?” <fn4736> Latest content published on FindN0vel</fn4736>


    To Jeffrey, his wife was his to spoil–he never needed anyone else to help him out.


    But now, dodging the question like that… was he hiding something from Samuel?


    “Are you and Mom hiding something from me?” Samuel pressed.


    “That’s grown–up stuff, kiddo. Don’t go poking your nose in,” Jeffrey answered, still sounding just as calm.


    “If you won’t spill, then I’m setting Mom up with someone new–every single day. Don’te whining when Mom actually remarries,” Samuel fired back, going all in with his best threat.


    “Well, at least match her with someone who’s not a total loser,” Jeffrey returned, just asid–back as always.


    Samuel puffed out his cheeks. “I’m for real! Amelia’s been introducing me to all these guystely. Their moms and dads have sons around the same age as Mom–and they’re all really awesome!”


    “Mm,” Jeffrey answered, soundingpletely chill.


    Samuel huffed, getting a little worked up. “Mr. Hanson!”


    Jeffrey kept his eyes glued to theputer screen. “Seriously? You’re falling apart already?”


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    Samuel: “…”


    Samuel hung up on him right away.


    ‘Ugh, Dad’s the worst!‘ Samuel grumbled to himself.


    ‘He better believe I’ll actually set Mom up with someone new if he keeps this up!‘ Samuel fumed.


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