Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO LOVED HER WITHOUT KNOWING HER MONEY
Rebecca met Andrew Sullivan at a charity fundraiser.
He was forty-one, a pediatric surgeon, and had absolutely no interest in corporate finance.
That alone made him refreshing.
They met beside a table displaying children's artwork.
Andrew was examining a painting of a purple elephant.
Rebecca approached.
“Interesting choice of color.”
He smiled.
“Personally, I think the artist has excellent instincts.”
She laughed.
“Purple elephants?”
“Why not?”
He turned toward her.
“Andrew Sullivan.”
“Rebecca Bennett.”
She had begun using her maiden name again.
He smiled.
“Nice to meet you.”
They talked.
About children's hospitals.
About art.
About terrible coffee.
About how Andrew once accidentally wore mismatched shoes to a medical conference.
Rebecca laughed so hard she nearly spilled her drink.
He didn't ask who her father was.
He didn't ask about Crosswell.
He didn't seem impressed by the expensive jewelry worn by other guests.
He simply wanted to know what made her laugh.
Over the following months, they became friends.
Andrew invited her to coffee.
Then dinner.
Then a concert.
Rebecca was cautious.
She told him she'd recently divorced.
He listened.
She told him her marriage had ended after infidelity and serious financial dishonesty.
He didn't ask for gossip.
He didn't tell her she should have forgiven Nathaniel.
He simply said, “That sounds painful.”
Rebecca looked at him.
“It was.”
Andrew nodded.
“I'm sorry.”
The simplicity of his response surprised her.
One evening, they walked through Freedom Park.
The sun was setting.
Andrew carried two paper cups of hot chocolate.
Rebecca smiled.
“You remembered.”
“Extra whipped cream.”
She laughed.
“Dangerous amount.”
He handed her the cup.
Then looked at her.
“Rebecca?”
“Yes?”
“I like you.”
Her heart skipped.
She smiled.
“I like you too.”
He hesitated.
“I'd like to take you on a proper date.”
Rebecca looked down.
For a moment, fear rose in her chest.
What if she trusted the wrong man again?
What if she missed the warning signs?
What if love turned into another negotiation?
Andrew noticed.
“No pressure.”
She looked up.
He smiled.
“You can say no.”
Rebecca felt something loosen inside her.
For twelve years, she'd been married to a man who treated disagreement as disloyalty.
Now Andrew was offering her a choice without punishment.
She smiled.
“I'd like that.”
His face brightened.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
He laughed.
“Excellent.”
They continued walking.
And for the first time since her divorce, Rebecca felt excited about the future.
May you like
Not because she needed another relationship.
But because she finally understood she could choose one without losing herself.
