Countdown to My Divorce

Chapter 3

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.

to dust? As if

Samantha start to turn toward William’s

need,” Rachel

longer with her, so why bother acting like

but now with a glint

Chapter 3

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understand. But please don’t get the wrong idea. William only brought me into the company because he sees how tired you’ve been. He just wanted me to help take the pressure off

into her

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

that’s what Mr. Lewis decided, then I hope you won’t let him down,

said that, Rachel stepped past Samantha without waiting for

the sound and looked up. Their eyes met for a few seconds before Rachel’s gaze shifted to the papers on his desk. She reached out and picked them

There was a flicker of panic in

“Rachel-”

at him. Her

vote on the Oasis Project: Rachel had received ten votes, while Samantha had twelve. And William had given the most important vote in Samantha’s

He actually gave the most important vote to

was how calm Rachel looked that made William uneasy. He stepped closer and gently wrapped his warm

just my decision to let Samantha join the company and compete for the project. The board made that call. Even as CEO, I can’t override everything. I hope

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

her like she was his

asked, “What if I insist on

slightly. He took her cold fingers in both hands and held them tig. us thumb gently brushing over her skin like

this project means a lot to you. It was your mom’s dream. But if it succeeds, no matter who does it, she’d be proud, right? She’ll see

let out a low laugh. He used to give her

Now, for another woman, he had excuse

body that was no longer hers; his heart was gone

her voice hoarse as she said, “If it’s all the same to my mom up there, then

conflict flickering 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

won’t be able to find good work. Her parents are in poor health–no one knows

laughed at how noble and polished his excuse sounded. However, the bitterness

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Chapter 3

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wasn’t funny. Not at

was just for her. Now,

that Rachel herself could suffer from being around dust too. For her, it could even

Rachel was, he felt even more uneasy After a

“Rachel, how about we…”

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

pretended to be understanding, gently pulling her hand out of his without making

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