Countdown to My Divorce

Chapter 1

“Ms. Lloyd, once you make this decision, you won’t be able to return for at least five years, maybe even longer. We’ll erase your identity from the public. Because of the sensitive nature of our company’s research, no one will be able to find you during this time. I hope you understand this.”

“I understand.”

M

Rachel Lloyd hesitated for just a second before she lowered her head and signed her name at the bottom of the document.

“Alright. Everything must be finalized by October 20th. We’ll contact you when the time comes.”

Rachel glanced at her phone.

Today was October 1st. That gave her 20 days.

As she walked past a shopping mall, something on the big screen outside caught her eye. She stopped to watch footage from a press conference held last week.

William Lewis, the CEO of Lewis Enterprise, had spent three years designing a custom wedding dress for his wife. According to him, the breathtaking, one–of–a–kind dress, a gift for their upcoming anniversary, was meant to make up for the regret that she hadn’t worn a wedding dress at their wedding ceremony.

The moment that dress was revealed, it took the world by storm. Everyone admired Rachel for marrying so and deeply devoted as William.

Girls walking by glanced at the screen, their wide eyes full of envy.

ne as wealthy

“Did you know? Their love story is like a fairytale. I heard Mr. Lewis remembers every little thing she likes. Even the tiniest details,” one girl whispered to another.

a cornea transplant. Mr. Lewis signed

busy he is, he always gets her gifts on every holiday. That alone makes him better than ninety–nine percent of men,” the other

twisted into a bitter

still couldn’t hear. Everything she heard right

had gotten into trouble with some classmates. When someone threw a chair during the incident, Rachel had stepped

excluded her from activities, mocked

“Deaf girl.”

said it like a

had come to her like a ray of light in the darkness, holding her tight while she trembled

ears. I’ll never let anyone hurt you again. Anyone who tries–I’ll tight them

Chapter 1

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thought their love

like fireworks–bright for a

that she had regained her hearing. Instead, she found out that the woman he had fallen head over heels for had come

so tightly her knuckles

it was already dead. She wasn’t

into a small gift box she had prepared long ago. As she wiped away a tear from the

a familiar black

as polished as always, dressed in a crisp shirt, tailored trousers, and shiny black derby shoes. When he crossed one leg over the other, the crease in his pants didn’t even fold. His sharp features were filled with worry as he walked

inside. It’s freezing. What if you get sick?” he said, quickly signing with his hands

hands and rubbed them gently between his palms, trying to warm her up. There was concern in his dark

been