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.

and quiet as she replied,

real problem wasn’t

was William, who couldn’t even stay loyal with

opened a drawer and took out a small, red velvet box. He gently placed it in Rachel’s

softly. “Don’t be upset. You’re older than her, and now you’re her

the mall the other day. Thought it would

now. Her eyes landed on the little engraving–two tiny letters, her initial and

needed him the most, he was

might’ve happened to her. William seemed to

bracelet at her, say a few soft

there was no love left between them, then money would have to do. And it just so

down and smile. ‘Well,

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

back?”

replied, “I left my phone in the private room. I had to go back and get it. Didn’t expect to

at her face

Chapter 18

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