Countdown to My Divorce (Rachel and William) novel 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.]

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—and tapped her fingers lightly against the surface.

"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.

Allergic to dust? As if Rachel wasn't?

She watched Samantha start to turn toward William's office.

"No need," Rachel said flatly.

She didn't want fake kindness. His heart was no longer with her, so why bother acting like he cared?

Samantha turned back, her eyes still soft, but now with a glint she couldn't quite hide.

"I knew you'd 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 you."

Rachel's fingers curled into her palm, then slowly relaxed.

How "considerate" of William. He really did love her deeply—so deeply, in fact, he invited his old flame to help with her workload.

"If that's what Mr. Lewis decided, then I hope you won't let him down, Ms. Judd."

Having said that, Rachel stepped past Samantha without waiting for a reply and headed straight to William's office.

When she pushed the door open and walked in, William heard 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 up.

William stood up. There was a flicker of panic in his eyes.

"Rachel—"

She didn't look at him. Her eyes were locked on the page.

It was the final 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 favor.

Hah! He actually gave the most important vote to Samantha.

Maybe it was how calm Rachel looked that made William uneasy. He stepped closer and gently wrapped his warm hand around her arm.

"Rachel, it wasn't 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 you understand the position I'm in."

Rachel tasted 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 up at William.

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