Countdown to My Divorce

Suddenly, the office door opened. Samantha limped in, her steps slow and dramatic. Her eyes were red as she walked up to Rachel. Her voice was soft and muffled, like she was trying not to cry.

Rachel glanced at William, then back at Samantha. Her throat felt dry.

William quickly stepped forward and moved Samantha out from between them.

“Rachel didn’t mean it like that. We were just talking about something else. It got a little loud, that’s all,” he said.

But Samantha didn’t budge and stood stubbornly in front of Rachel Her body trembled as she signed with her hands, as if she were desperately trying to convey her meaning. The sight was both comical and heartbreakingly earnest.

“Rachel, I really didn’t mean anything bad,” Samantha said. “If I made you uncomfortable, I’ll explain everything to the team right now.”

She reached for the door, ready to go out.

“There’s no need for that, Ms. Judd,” Rachel said calmly.

Samantha paused, hand still on the door.

“So… you’re really not mad at me?” she asked in that soft, fragile voice, like one wrong word would shatter her completely.

The kind of voice that made everyone feel bad for her… even if she was the one stirring the pot.

she replied, “This has nothing

truth was, the real problem wasn’t Samantha

who couldn’t even stay loyal with his heart, let

opened a drawer and took out a small, red velvet box. He gently

“Don’t be upset. You’re older than her, and now you’re her supervisor too. Just give her a

saw this bracelet at the mall the other day.

It was elegant, s. …and completely meaningless now. Her eyes landed on the little engraving–two tiny letters, her initial and his. She should’ve been touched, but all she felt was bitter irony, and her stomach churned with

when she needed him the

by chance, she didn’t even dare imagine what might’ve happened to her. William seemed to think that as long

say a few soft words,

And it just so happened Rachel still hadn’t figured

a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down and smile. ‘Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll

a moment, then cautiously said, “By the way, I saw

back?”

“I left my phone in the private room. I had to go

tightened. His jaw clenched as he stared at her face like he was

Chapter 18

+25 BONUS