Countdown to My Divorce

Rachel watched Samantha struggle with the hand gestures, and couldn’t help but smille mockingly.

“You don’t have to go through all that trouble, Ms. Judd,” she said I can read lips. As long as what you’re saying isn’t too complicated, I can understand.”

Watching Samantha fumble around with awkward, clumsy motto was almost funny. She didn’t seem tired from all that flailing, but Rachel got tired just watching her.

Samantha stopped mid–sign and asked, “If you can read lips, then why does William always use hand signs with you?”

Rachel raised an eyebrow, not bothering to hide the dry look on her face. “You want to know?”

Samantha shoved her hands into her coat pockets and shrugged. Just curious,”

‘Well,‘ Rachel mused, ‘you asked.‘

“When I lost my hearing because of him, he went and learned sign language. But just because he was willing to do that, doesn’t mean everyone else around me has to. Over time, I got used to reading lips and picked it up myself. But he was worried that I might struggle with lip–reading, and since signing was quicker and easier for me, he just kept communicating with it.”

Samantha’s expression flickered between shades of anger and shock, and she dropped the topic quickly. “So, why are you here?”

“I wanted to talk about Cecilia.”

her chair, her

to William about that, not me. Besides,” she added, sounding innocent at first–until she leaned in closer, her tone turning

a second, the cool calm

let out a soft, amused

not. Mr. Lewis personally brought you into the company. Everyone knows how capable you are. Cecilia’s just an employee–she

continued calmly, “This all started because of you, so I think you should end it. I’m asking you to let Cecilia off the hook. I can promise you she won’t say anything like that

blinked her big, innocent eyes and gave Rachel a

been with William for so many years–you should know how he is. Once he’s made up his mind, not even you, his wife, can change it. What makes you think

it only flashed for a moment before her

you said

surprise. “Rachel, you’re giving me too much credit! Are

against the desk, waiting for Rachel’s

exactly what Samantha was getting at. The woman just couldn’t help but compete—she had to win, even in this kind of

mind. Pride wasn’t worth much to her, and besides, Samantha wasn’t wrong. She had to adinit that right

why