Chapter 0002

“I demand you divorce her tonight,” Evangeline repeated, descending from the stairs. “It's been almost three years of marriage— Bryce, will you keep waiting for a barren lady?”

Barren? Rachel kept her expression composed, though the words felt like a slow acting poison quietly destroying her from the inside.

“Rachel, we need to get a divorce.” Bryce said, voice cold. “As you can see, Marissa is already pregnant with my child. I don't think you have a place in this family again.”

Something inside Rachel cracked, she wouldn't have felt anything if those words came from Evangeline or the lady who claimed to be pregnant for her husband, but hearing those words from Bryce felt like a betrayal.

“Yes. We can't afford to raise our child in such a hostile home.” Marissa chipped in resting her perfectly manicured fingers on Bryce's chest.

Rachel lowered her head, biting her lip from the pain threatening to spill out. She swallowed slowly.

Rachel lifted her eyes to Bryce and her chest twisted painfully— an ache she had not expected even after all the distance between them.

“Bryce,” she whispered, but before he could respond, Evangeline stirred.

“You will not embarrass this family any longer,” she hissed at Rachel. “ You just flaunt the riches you did not earn, getting favors from strangers using the Voss name. Nothing but shame!”

Rachel's fingers curled at her sides. No one here knew she had just left the hospital, no one here knew the true reason for her infertility, and she had no intention of telling them… not when they will use it against her.

Evangeline's voice sharpened, “the sooner you sign the divorce papers, the sooner this family can finally thrive. My son deserves happiness and so does his child.”

Marissa, glowing with false sweetness, rested a hand on her stomach. “Exactly,” she added softly.

Rachel inhaled, slow and steady. If she broke down now, she would never forgive herself.

“Bryce,” she said again, this time stronger, though her voice trembled. “If you want a divorce, I will sign it.”

A relieved sigh passed through Evangeline, and Marissa's smirk grew.

Rachel lifted her chin with dignity, “But I have one request.”

Bryce's gaze narrowed, “What request?”

“Fourteen days,” she said, locking her gaze with Bryce. “It's fourteen days to our anniversary to complete the three years. Give me the fourteen days, as your wife.”

Evangeline's jaw dropped. “Absolutely not—”

Rachel's glare met her calmly. “I am not asking for a lifetime, just two weeks. Then I'll leave without creating a scandal.” She turned to Bryce, “Please.”

“Why fourteen days?” Bryce said carefully.

Rachel's heart clenched. She thought of the doctor, the diagnosis… She needed time to gather herself, to say goodbye to the life she once dreamed of, and maybe get ready to die. But she could not tell him any of that.

So she simply said, “Because I need it, to repay you for accommodating my suffocating presence for three years. And I will never ask anything else from you ever again.”

Bryce hesitated.

Marissa tightened her grip on his arm. “Bryce, this is unnecessary—”

Bryce raised his hand, silencing her. His expression hardened as he turned to Rachel.

“Two weeks. Fourteen days.” He repeated slowly, then he nodded once, “Fine.”

Evangeline gasped. “Bryce!”

“It's only two weeks.” He said flatly. “Let her have it.”

Rachel smiled. A faint, almost invisible smile. At least, he gave her a chance.

Evangeline clenched her fist but said nothing. Marissa pouted, clearly displeased, but she bit down her irritation in favor of looking fragile and accommodating.

Bryce turned back to Rachel. “We'll discuss the arrangements later.”

And with that, he began leading Marissa further into the mansion, Rachel stepped aside automatically giving them room to walk.

“You're so pathetic!” Evangeline sneered, brushing past Rachel.

Rachel bowed slowly, respecting her departure. She was glad that at least Bryce didn't turn down her request, now it's time for her to brace herself.

Later that evening, Rachel stayed up in her room, her presence was not called and she could hear Marissa's constant laughter. She sat on her dresser and began removing her jewelry when there was a slight knock on the door.

“Who's there?” She asked softly, arranging her jewelry.

“Ma'am, Mr. Voss requested your presence in his room,” Monica, the housekeeper said.

Rachel's heart skipped a beat, after they both separated rooms, Rachel has never stepped her foot into his room, why does he need her now?

“I'll be there in a minute,” Rachel responded, removing her wedding ring. The only evidence of marriage she carried. How has her life spiraled so quickly? She could remember her younger self making promises to herself.

She put the ring back into the case Bryce had used to propose to her, the same way he had proposed to her is the same way she was going to return it.

A few minutes later, she was at the door of his room, not sure if she should open the door or knock. She finally made up her mind to knock.

“Come in,” Marissa's voice cut through the air and Rachel frowned. Why was it Marissa that gave her the permission to enter her husband's room?

She sighed. She opened the door and stepped in and found Marissa lying down on the bed, holding the Rolex watch Rachel had gifted Bryce on their first anniversary, with her wedding picture with Bryce.

“I am looking for my husband,” Rachel said firmly without hesitation.

Marissa laughed, “You're looking for your husband? You're so stupid. Well, he's currently in the shower, maybe you can stay over there and wait.”

Rachel scoffed, “Then I'll leave, whenever he is—”

Marissa cut her off sharply, “Shut up and wait.” She said, shooting Rachel a glare.

Rachel stepped forward, “this is my husband's house and you are nothing but a mistress, please, mind your words when addressing me. I still have a place in this house.”