When the car finally pulled up in the school's parking lot, Rebecca's expression had turned dark.
Forcing a smile, she turned to the two kids. "Sweeties, we are here. Let's go."
The kids grinned happily as they exited the car.
Holding the two kids in one hand, she walked straight into the school.
But they hadn't even stepped into the building when she paused. Her brows creased.
Something felt off.
It felt like she was being... watched.
Cheryl tugged on Rebecca's hands, "mommy." She called out softly.
"What's wrong?" She squatted to take a good look at the girl.
"Uncle Carl..." the girl started, her voice filled with hesitation. "He is here."
Soon, footsteps approached them and a pair of legs stopped in front of them.
Rebecca's gaze fell on the shoes, and slowly she rose to her feet.
Her eyes trailed upward— long legs, a fitted suit, broad shoulders.
Until her gaze met his. The man was already looking at her.
There was something in his eyes.
It was soft, intimate, familiar. It was like he knew her.
Rebecca frowned slightly. She didn't like the feeling of familiarity he gave her.
"Rebecca…" His voice was low, almost relieved. "I knew I'd find you here."
Her brows furrowed deeper.
She tilted her head slightly, studying him without a hint of recognition.
"…Do I know you?"
Carl stilled. This wasn't right. The Rebecca he knew would've already rushed to him.
But the look in her eyes... it was completely different from the look of admiration she usually had.
It was neutral, and it was like she didn't recognise him.
What was she trying to do? Was she throwing a tantrum?
Carl's eyes lit up. 'Yes!' He exclaimed internally. 'That must be it. She must be trying to gain his attention.'
"Becca," he called softly, closing the distance between them.
He tried to hold her hand, but she dodged him effectively while she gave him a look of disgust.
"Who do you think you are to touch me?" She demanded with her hands folded.
"You..." his teeth caught his lower lip as he prevented himself from lashing out.
Taking a deep breath, the look in his eyes softened as tears gathered in his eyes.
'Rebecca never liked seeing tears in my eyes. That had always worked before.' He thought to himself. His lips curved smugly, but he masked it the next second.
Unfortunately, he had underestimated Rebecca. She was perceptive, and she caught the smug look.
"Becca, I—"
"Don't call me Becca." She cut him off rudely. "You do not have the right."
The two kids looked at her, and their lips curved upwards.
Once again, Carl was stumped.
Regardless, he didn't lose his soft look. "Rebecca, I know you are angry that I spent the night with Sophie. But I can assure you that there is nothing between us."
Rebecca's expression didn't change. There was no reaction.
Nothing.... which was completely different from Carl's expectations.
"Don't... don't you have something to say?" He asked hesitantly.
"I already told you—I don't know who you are" She said calmly, without batting her eyelids. "Goodbye."
She held the two kids, turned her back and walked away.
But Carl wasn't having any of it.
He rushed over, and grabbed her arm. "Wait."
Liam instantly bit the hand holding Rebecca's arms, and stood in front of her protectively.
"Stay away from my mom! She said she doesn't know you."
Carl held his hand which had been bitten while he glared at Liam.
"You..."
"Hey!" Rebecca stepped in front of Liam, keeping the two kids protectively behind her. She locked gazes with Carl.
"Stay away from my kids." Her voice was low. But the warning in it was unmistakable.
Carl's expression hardened. "You'll regret this." He spat, and walked away.
Rebecca rolled her eyes. "He's insane."
"Let's go, shall we?"
-------------------
Anderson leaned back in his chair, the faint glow of his laptop casting sharp shadows across his face. The office was quiet. Papers sat neatly arranged in front of him, untouched.
He had signed more documents in the last hour than he had actually processed.
His thoughts kept drifting elsewhere. To someone.
Ever since the morning or even yesterday, something about his wife has been… different.
His jaw tightened slightly as he shut the file in front of him. The sound echoed faintly in the silence.
A soft knock interrupted him.
"Come in."
The door opened, and his assistant stepped inside carefully. Behind him stood the driver assigned to Rebecca.
Anderson's gaze sharpened instantly, a bad feeling settling in his chest.
"What happened?"
The assistant hesitated, glancing at the driver before stepping aside.
"Sir… there's an update regarding Madam."
At the word Madam, Anderson's expression darkened slightly.
"Speak."
The driver swallowed.
"Madam took the Young Master and Young Miss to school this morning."
Anderson didn't speak. He had seen the car drive out himself.
Hence, the driver continued.
"She… held their hands. She didn't let the bodyguard take over. She personally walked them in."
A faint crease formed between Anderson's brows.
Now, that was unusual.
Rebecca didn't do "gentle."
The driver shifted uncomfortably before continuing.
"And… there was another incident at the school entrance."
Anderson's eyes lifted slightly.
"What incident?"
The driver hesitated again, as if unsure how to phrase it.
"Mr. Carl arrived."
Silence dropped into the room.
Anderson's fingers stilled on the armrest.
"Carl?"
"Yes, sir."
The assistant glanced nervously between them. He knew about the connection between Rebecca and Carl.
"And Madam's reaction was… strange."
Anderson leaned forward slightly now. "Strange how?"
The driver exhaled. "She didn't recognize him."
That sentence hung in the air longer than it should have.
Anderson frowned deeply. "That's impossible."
"Yes, sir. That's what I thought too. But she asked him if she knew him. She denied knowing him completely.".
"And then?" Anderson asked, his tone colder now.
The driver lowered his head slightly.
"Mr. Carl tried to approach her. She refused him. Very firmly."
Anderson's eyes darkened. "Refused?"
"Yes, sir. She even told him not to touch her."
A faint silence followed.
Then—
A small, humorless laugh escaped Anderson's lips.
So that was it.
Another game.
Rebecca was many things, but she was not forgetful. And she was certainly not harmless.
He leaned back again, his gaze turning distant.
"She's testing boundaries," he said slowly.
The assistant blinked.
"Sir?"
Anderson's eyes narrowed.
"First the children, now Carl… She's trying to see how far she can push things."
The driver exchanged a nervous glance with the assistant but said nothing.
Anderson stood abruptly, walking toward the window.
Below, the city moved without care. But his mind wasn't there.
Rather, it was on Rebecca.
His hand tightened slightly.
"If she thinks I'll be fooled," he murmured, "she's mistaken."
Behind him, the assistant cleared his throat carefully.
"Shall we continue monitoring her, sir?"
Anderson didn't turn.
"No. Dig into Carl instead."
He stared at the city through the glass window.
Since she wanted to play a game, then... he'd show her that two could play a game.