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.

dust? As if

Samantha start to turn toward William’s

need,” Rachel

kindness. His heart was no longer with

turned back, her eyes still soft, but now with a glint she couldn’t quite

Chapter 3

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But please don’t get the wrong idea. William only brought me into the company because he sees how tired

into her palm, then slowly

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

I hope you

stepped past Samantha without waiting for a reply and headed straight to William’s

and looked up. Their eyes met for a few seconds before Rachel’s gaze shifted

a flicker

“Rachel-”

look at him. Her

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

actually gave the most

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

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

bitterness on her tongue, and her lips had gone pale. However, she didn’t shout or cry. She was too numb for that now. She forced a small, tired smile and looked

like she was his

a steady breath and asked, “What

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

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?

a low laugh. He used to give

for another woman, he

was no longer hers; his

up there, then why not let me do it? My proposal was just as strong

let go of Rachel’s hand. Instead, he held it tighter, his

find good work. Her parents are in poor health–no one knows how much time they have left. She needs this win. Also, we attended the same school. I

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

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Chapter 3

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wasn’t funny. Not at

just for her. Now,

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

William saw how calm Rachel was, he felt even more uneasy After a moment of hesitation, he spoke

“Rachel, how about we…”

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

be understanding, gently pulling her hand out of his without

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