Chapter 5
Rachel froze when she heard that familiar voice.
“Chloe misses you too,” Liam said. “Since you’re already here, why not go in and see her?”
Rachel turned around, her heart tightening. She looked like a kid who got caught doing something wrong. “Liam…”
From inside the room came Chloe’s angry voice, “If she doesn’t want to come in, then tell her not to come back at all!”
Rachel didn’t think anymore. She rushed into the hospital room.
“Chloe, I Her voice shook as she tried to speak.
“Why are you stammering like that?” Chloe snapped. “Look what your marriage has turned you into. Your husband shows up with his mistress, and you just let it happen? Are you still the student I once admired?”
“Andrew doesn’t know how to value you. If you still think of me as your Chloe, then end things with him. Now,” she added firmly.
Even though Chloe sounded angry, the worry in her eyes was clear. She looked Rachel up and down, taking in how thin and worn she Jooked, and her heart ached.
“We heard you arguing outside,” Liam said with a sigh. “Why didn’t you tell us anything? Are you really planning to cut ties with Chloe for good? She’s been worried about you for years.”
In front of Chloe, who was like her mother, Rachel finally broke. She’d been pretending to be strong for so long–but now, she let it all go. She rushed to the bedside and grabbed Chloe’s hand.
“Chloe, I was blind… I chose the wrong person. I let you down… and I got Jennie killed.” Her voice cracked as she sobbed.
Since the night Jennie died, Rachel hadn’t cried. But now the tears wouldn’t stop. In Chloe’s arms, she told her everything about Jennie’s death.
“This isn’t your fault, sweetheart,” Chloe said softly, crying too. She patted Rachel’s back, holding her tight.
At that moment, everything between them–distance, silencè, hurt–just disappeared.
“Andrew bullies you because you don’t have family to stand up for you. That man is cruel. If I have to use the last of my strength, I’ll fight for you,” Chloe said furiously. She couldn’t bear to see her student treated this way.
Rachel wiped her tears and looked up, eyes steady again. “No, Chloe. I’ll fight for Jennie myself. I won’t let her die for nothing.”
Chloe was well–known in the archaeology world, respected by everyone. Rachel couldn’t bear the thought of her getting dragged into this mess and getting hurt.
Just like Chloe, Rachel wouldn’t let anything happen to the people she cared about.
Seeing Rachel wasn’t broken–but instead, burning with that old fire–made Chloe breathe a little easier.
“Don’t push yourself too hard,” Chloe said. “Come back to archaeology. Stay by my side. You’re more than ready to be my successor.”
She gave Rachel’s hand a firm squeeze. “To protect what matters, you need to stand strong. Don’t lose yourself again, Rachel.”
Before marrying Andrew, Rachel had been Chloe’s most promising student, already earning recognition in archaeology. If she’d stayed on that path, she would’ve had a brilliant career by now.
But she gave it all up… for a man. And in doing so, she buried her talent.
The moment she heard Chloe say “archaeology,” Rachel’s heart skipped a beat. It was more than a field of study. It was her family’s legacy–something sacred to her.
But Andrew didn’t approve. And the Zevon family didn’t believe women should work or be seen in public. The moment she chose marriage, she’d also chosen to throw it all away.
“You’re right, Chloe. I can’t make the same mistake again.” Thinking about how much Jennie had loved archaeology too–and how she had once encouraged Rachel to follow her heart–Rachel made up her mind.
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Chloe smiled, clearly proud of her.
Rachel went on, “I’m going back to archaeology. All these years, I’ve kept an eye on everything going on in the field. I just watched from the sidelines, too scared to step back in.
“But now… I’ll carry Jennie’s love for it too. I’ll keep going, for both of us.”
There was a new light in Rachel’s eyes as she spoke. She and Chloe quickly fell into deep discussion, catching up on all the latest news in archaeology.
Before they knew it, evening had come. Their peaceful conversation was suddenly cut short by a loud bang–the hospital room door was shoved open.
Rachel turned, and her face darkened the moment she saw Andrew.
“Rachel, what did you say to Yedda? Will you only be happy if you drive her away?” Andrew was livid.
“Drive her away?” Rachel scoffed. “Please. Yedda would glue herself to you if she could. Do you really think she’d just walk away?”
Her voice dripped with sarcasm. “Why don’t you use your brain for once, Andrew? Go check the airport–she’s probably there waiting for you with puppy eyes.”
Her mocking tone and the look of disdain in her eyes hit Andrew hard. He couldn’t remember when exactly Rachel started treating him like this.
Still, he convinced himself that she was just playing another game–trying to get his attention in some new, twisted way. In his mind, Rachel was just a desperate woman with no shame.
“You’re going to take Jennie–right now–and go apologize to Yedda and Tracy,” Andrew said coldly. “Rachel, stop playing games. Just because you’re Mrs. Zevon doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want.”
Rachel almost laughed. The idea that he thought this would scare her now was honestly ridiculous.
“As the CEO of Zevon Group, not only did you cheat on your wife, but now you’re demanding she apologize to your mistress and your illegitimate child?” Chloe said. “That’s unbelievable. Aren’t you worried people will laugh at you if this gets out?”
Looking at Andrew, Chloe felt sad for all Rachel had endured over the years.
Andrew looked down at Chloe condescendingly, his tone cold and full of disdain. “I’m talking to my wife. Who do you think you are to interrupt?”
Chloe’s rage flared and she was about to lash out, but Rachel gently patted her hand, then stood up to meet Andrew’s eyes.
“I’ve already signed the divorce papers. I’m not your wife anymore,” she said calmly.
Andrew’s expression darkened. “As long as I haven’t signed, you’re still my wife. Being Mrs. Zevon isn’t something you can just put on and take off as you please.”
With that, he yanked Rachel’s wrist, trying to pull her closer. “You’re coming home with me. Right now. Bring Jennie back, and stop testing my limits,” he said.
He tried to drag her out of the room, but Rachel fought back with all her strength and slapped him hard across the face.
The loud smack echoed through the room. Andrew froze, stunned by the burning pain on his cheek.
“Andrew, let me say this one more time. Jennie is dead. She’s not coming back, and she’ll never bother you again,” Rachel said. “If you have something to say about the divorce, talk to my lawyer.”
With that, she shook off his grip and held out Charles’s business card. Her words were firm and final–she wasn’t backing down this time.
Andrew’s gaze dropped to the card, and when he saw the name, his eyes turned cold.
“Him again.” He sneered. “You really think some little lawyer is going to protect you? Don’t push your luck, Rachel. I could make him disappear from Belgimia without even lifting a finger.”
The Zevon family was a powerful force in Belgimia. Crushing a small–time lawyer would be as easy as swatting a fly.
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But Rachel didn’t flinch. If one lawyer wasn’t enough, she’d hire ten more. One way or another, this marriage would end.
“I’m getting this divorce,” she said, voice unwavering.
