Countdown to My Divorce

Chapter 3

William didn’t come home that night, simply sending a single message at midnight.

[I’m working late at the office. Take care of yourself.]

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Rachel stared at the message, her lips curling into a bitter smile. However, she wasn’t going to waste more time thinking about him or Samantha. Before she left, she had something more important to do.

And that was to fulfill her mother’s last wish.

When she arrived at the office, she noticed her colleagues giving her odd looks.

“I heard the Oasis Project was finalized already,” someone whispered behind a cubicle. “But Ms. Lloyd isn’t the lead anymore.”

“What? That’s been her baby for months. If she finds out about this, it’ll probably mean trouble.”

“Yeah, but word is the board voted this morning. They gave it to someone new. A transfer, I think.”

As soon as they noticed Rachel at the door, everyone quickly looked away and hurried back to their desks. When she reached her office, she found that everything on her desk had been moved.

Before she could say anything, a soft voice behind her called out, “Rachel?”

She turned slowly.

There, in a snow–white dress that made her look delicate and innocent, stood Samantha. Her long black hair flowed over her shoulders, and her face was flawless, her eyes wide and gentle. She had the kind of look that made men want to protect her without even knowing why.

Rachel felt her whole body go cold.

Samantha!

Samantha smiled, lips tinted pink, her cheeks flushing as she sweetly said, “It’s been so long. I guess we’ll be coworkers now. I’m really looking forward to working with you.”

She reached out her hand.

Rachel didn’t take it. Instead, she looked over at her own desk–now completely cleared out- against the surface.

apped her fingers lightly

“What’s going on here?”

Samantha looked at her with wide, watery eyes, as if she had been hurt. Her fingers moved awkwardly in the air, making small gestures.

“I’m really sorry, Rachel. William knows I’m allergic to dust, so he let me use your office. But if it bothers you, we can switch back. I don’t mind. I’ll go talk to him right now.”

Rachel smiled bitterly.

What a joke.

As if Rachel

Samantha start to

Rachel

didn’t want fake kindness. His heart was no longer with her,

but now with

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idea. William only brought me into the company because he sees how tired you’ve been. He just wanted me to help take

her palm,

did love her deeply–so deeply, in fact, he invited his old flame

decided, then I hope you won’t let him down, Ms.

said that, Rachel stepped past Samantha without waiting for a reply and headed straight

the door open and walked in, William heard the sound and looked up. Their eyes met for a few seconds before Rachel’s

a flicker of panic

“Rachel-”

didn’t look at him. Her eyes were

while Samantha

gave the most

how calm Rachel looked that made William uneasy. He stepped closer and

and compete for the project. The board made that call. Even as CEO, I can’t

didn’t shout or cry. She was too numb for that now.

like she was his whole

steady breath and asked, “What if I insist on leading the Oasis

and held them tig. us thumb gently brushing over her

means a lot to you. It was your mom’s dream. But if it succeeds, no

laugh. He used to give her anything she

another woman,

that was no longer

said, “If it’s all the same to my mom up there, then why not let me do it? My proposal

in his eyes. He didn’t let go of Rachel’s hand. Instead, he held it tighter, his warm thumb slowly rubbing the back of her hand in a quiet,

something strong on her resume, she won’t be able to find good work. Her parents are in poor health–no one knows how much time

noble and polished his excuse sounded. However, the bitterness on her tongue said

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funny.

always thought that William’s kindness was just for her. Now, she saw the truth–his kindness

around dust too. For her, it could even lead to breathing problems, and at its worst, could

Rachel was, he felt even more

“Rachel, how about we…”

interrupted. “You just got the promotion. You don’t have full control yet. There are too many shareholders, and you can’t make all

pulling her hand out of his without making a fuss. Her voice carried a trace