Chapter 3

Back when they got married, Everett had told Audrey that the wife of a search-and-rescue captain wouldn't be able to handle a long, lonely marriage. So he had insisted they sign divorce papers in advance. That way, if she ever wanted out, the divorce wouldn't take time away from his work.

Audrey had locked the papers deep inside a safe and sworn to herself, "Our marriage will last forever."

She never imagined she'd need them so soon.

Swallowing past the ache in her throat, Audrey took the divorce papers to the courthouse.

"Hi. I'd like to file for divorce."

The clerk frowned.

"Ms. Vance, according to our records, you and Mr. Shaw have already been divorced for a year."

Audrey's mind went blank. It took her a long moment to find her voice.

"What did you just say?"

The clerk pulled up the records.

"Your divorce from Mr. Shaw was finalized a year ago. Our records show that he married Ms. Hart that same day."

The clerk turned the screen toward her.

Audrey stared at it, her nails digging into her palm.

She had only just made up her mind to leave Everett. Never once had she imagined that he had already ended their marriage without her even knowing.

So all this time...

She was the other woman.

By the time Audrey got home, she felt completely drained.

Diane was sitting on the couch, clearly displeased.

"Where have you been? Everett works himself to the bone supporting this family, while you, his wife, are never even home. Who knows what man you've been sneaking around with?"

She snatched up a cup from the table and hurled it at Audrey.

Pain flared in Audrey's forehead, and a warm trickle of blood slid down her skin.

Audrey looked at the woman she had spent seven years caring for.

"Diane, did you know Everett was seeing another woman?"

A flicker of unease crossed Diane's face.

"What nonsense are you talking about? You clearly have too much time on your hands. Everett's friend was hurt and is in the hospital. Didn't you get certified as a nutritionist? Go make some soup. Everett will be back in half an hour to pick it up."

All the ingredients had already been bought and were piled up in the kitchen.

Audrey had grown up privileged and had never needed to cook or do housework.

But Everett spent his days out in all kinds of weather on rescue missions, and she had worried about his health. So she had gone out of her way to earn a nutrition certification so she could plan his meals and take better care of him.

She never imagined she'd one day use what she'd learned to care for the other woman.

"No." Audrey's voice came out hoarse. "I'm not feeling well."

She went back to the bedroom and shut the door, blocking out Diane's angry muttering.

Outside, Diane called Everett in tears.

"That barren wife of yours has lost her mind! I told her to make Brielle some soup, and she made up an excuse and hid in her room instead!"

Everett rubbed his temples. "I'll be right there."

A short while later, Audrey heard the bedroom door open.

Everett stood beside the bed, looking at her with disapproval.

"What are you making a fuss about now?"

A fuss?

Audrey almost laughed.

So whenever she didn't do what Everett wanted, she was making a fuss?

Tears slipped down her cheeks as she looked up at him.

"I won't make a fuss anymore."

Five minutes earlier, her company had approved her transfer request.

In two weeks, she would leave Sunspire for good and never come back. She would make room for Everett and Brielle.

"Everett? Which room am I staying in?"

Brielle's voice came from the living room.

Audrey's head snapped up. She stared at Everett in disbelief.

"You're letting Brielle move into my house?"

"The earthquake affected a huge area. Brielle's place is in the quake zone, and I'm worried it isn't safe for her there. So she'll stay here for a while."

"This is my home!" Audrey trembled with anger. "My parents left this house to me!"

Seven years ago, during another earthquake, her parents had shielded her with their own bodies.

"Sweetheart, you have to live."

"Sweetheart, as long as this home is still here, so are we."

Ever since then, the house had been Audrey's only anchor.

And now Everett was bringing the other woman into the home her parents had left her.

Everett gave her a disapproving look.

"Do you still want to find your parents' remains?"

The question silenced Audrey instantly.

For seven years, she had begged Everett countless times to help find her parents' remains.

Every time, he had refused, saying he couldn't waste public rescue resources on a personal search.

Now he was using her parents' remains as leverage.

"Once Brielle has the baby and has something to live for, I'll divorce her and come home. If you take care of her for a month, I'll help you find your parents' remains."

All the strength seemed to drain out of Audrey. She sank onto the bed, utterly defeated.

Behind her, the bedroom door opened.

Brielle pushed open the door to the master bedroom. The moment she saw Audrey, she frowned.

"Why is she here?"

Everett answered gently.

"My mother felt sorry for her after she lost her baby, so she asked her to look after you as a housekeeper."