Chapter 6
Three days later, I walked into Carter & Associates.
The moment the receptionist saw me, she called out, “Ms. Moore, Mr. Carter’s in a case review meeting. He’ll be out soon.
I paused for a beat.
“I’m here to see Noah Maddox.”
Noah was Brandon’s junior associate–and Jamie’s childhood friend.
We talked for a while in the conference room, until the door suddenly burst open.
Brandon walked in.
“Rachel, you’re here? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Noah stood up in one smooth motion, taking a single long stride to place himself between us.
“She’s here to see me, Brandon!
Brandon narrowed his eyes at him, voice laced with sarcasm.
“You’re representing her in the divorce?”
beat me
“You think you can beat me in court?”
Noah’s lips curved into a slight smile.
“There’s only one way to find out.
Brandon stopped addressing him and turned his gaze to me, brows drawn.
“Divorce isn’t as simple as you think. Even with Noah’s help, no judge will approve it on the first trial. Not with our situation.”
“Come on, babe. Don’t be like this. Let’s go home and talk”
He reached out to grab me, but Noah moved, blocking him with a steady arm.
“She never said she was going back with you.
Brandon’s voice darkened, tension rising under every word.
“Move, Noal. Don’t make me get physical ”
Noah raised a brow, unbothered.
“So you’ve already inade peace with the entire office hearing about your little side project upstairs?”
Brandon froze. His expression soured Instantly.
I looked at him calmly.
I you don’t want to face me in court, then meet me at the courthouse.”
“One month from now, we end this clean and simple”
His gaze reddened at the edges as he stared at me, unmoving.
End
d this? Just like that?”
“You really think I won’t be devastated? After everything we’ve been through, you want to throw it all away?”
Noah let out a soft laugh beside me.
“Maybe you should ask yourself that question first, Brandon–before you ask her how she could.”
Brandon said nothing for a long moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was rough
“This is between us, Rachel. We don’t need anyone else involved. Let’s go home and talk it through.”
I gave him a cold glance, stood, and turned to Noah
gather the necessary paperwork. Let’s schedule another time.”
To retrieve the divorce paperwork and some personal belongings, I had no choice but to step back into what used to be our home.
The place was spotless. Immaculate. Not a single trace of that night’s chaos remained–but to me, it already reeked.
I picked up what I came for and was ready to leave, but something on the nightstand caught my eye.
I paused, walked over, and pulled open the drawer.
The box of condoms inside was clearly lighter than before. It didn’t shock me–but it still cut deep
I didn’t even realize how long I’d been staring until I heard the front door open.
I thought it was Brandon. It wasn’t.
Ashley stepped in and froze the second she saw me walk out of the bedroom.
She rushed past me to check the room, making sure I was alone. Only then did she breathe again and lean against the doorframe, arms
crossed, gaze sharp.
“I thought you were getting a divorce,” she said. “What are you doing back here?”
Then she snorted. “I Knew it. You were never gonna leave him. Brandon’s way out of your league and you know it.”
Without Brandon around, she dropped the act completely.
She admired her fresh manicure, smiling like she’d already won.
“I know you look down on me. Think I’m just some cheap side piece. But guess what? Your husband doesn’t even rate you that high.”
“He said when you were injured and lost control of your body, it was disgusting. Said I was softer. Sweeter. Cleaner.”
Her giggle was light, but every word that followed hit like a slap.
Months ago, a defendant Brandon had beaten in court tried to run him over out of revenge.
The car came flying at us. In that split second, I shoved him out of the way and took the full hit myself.
He walked away without a scratch. I ended up with both legs shattered.
For weeks, I couldn’t even take care of the most basic things.
I suggested hiring a nurse. Brandon said no. Strangers couldn’t be trusted.
He took care of me himself–washed me, fed me, held me through the worst moments. Said I had nothing to be ashamed of.
But I never imagined he secretly found me disgusting–and worse, that he’d describe it all to Ashley like some sick punchline.
In that moment, I couldn’t tell what had ever been real. The kisses. The laughter. The nights we held each other close. All of it felt like a
Ashley sneered at my silence. “I might sound barsh, but I’m just being honest.”
She tilted her head, voice dripping with condescension. “You’re what–thirty? In a few years, you won’t even qualify as a mistress, let alone a wife. So do yourself a favor and get out.”
I stepped forward and slapped her across the face.
She staggered back, stunned. “You hit me?!”
1 slapped her again.
Her skin flushed red, eyes welling with tears. “Brandon’s gonna be home any second! I’ll have him charge you with assault!”
I grabbed a fistful of her hair and slapped her again, harder.
“Perfect. Let him come. I’ll beat his ass too. Tell him to call the cops–I dare him.”
Ashley stared at me, horrified. Then her lips curled into something cruel.
“You’re insane. Just like your murderous mother.”
Something inside me cracked.
My ears rang. My vision blurred.
“What did you say?”
“Mental illness runs in families,” she said slowly. “Your mom was crazy. So are you.”
She smiled as she twisted the knife. “Brandon said you cry in your sleep–sobbing, wailing, like some lunatic locked in a psych ward Keeps him up all night. Crazy mom, crazy daughter-
I lunged for her throat.
She choked under my grip, clawing at my wrists as I squeezed tighter. All I wanted was for her to shut up.
“Rachel, what the hell are you doing?!”
Someone yanked me back. Ashley collapsed into Brandon’s arms, coughing and gasping.
“She tried to kill me!” she sobbed. “Bran, she really tried to kill me!”
Brandon looked at me in disbelief. “Rachel, I told you this is my fault. If you need to blame someone, blame me.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I stared at him like I didn’t know him anymore.
Why did you lie to me?”
“Why
He froze. “What?”
I never wanted to cry in front of him. But I couldn’t stop.
“You hate me. You don’t love me anymore. Why not just say it?”
“Why couldn’t you let me go sooner?”
1 sank to the floor, arms wrapped around my knees. I cried until I couldn’t breathe.
Brandon just stood there.
Then, suddenly, he shoved Ashley aside.
“What d
did you say to her?”
Ashley looked stunned. “You’re hurting me…”
His voice turned cold. “Don’t make me ask again.
She hesitated. “I didn’t say anything I just brought up her mom, and she snapped.”
Brandon’s fists clenched. “How do you even know about her mom?”
His voice rose. “You told Rachel I said those things? You made that up?”
Ashley looked around nervously. “I asked around. It’s not like it’s a secret.”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “You’re mad at me over this? Seriously?”
Brandon ignored her. He knelt down and tried to pull me into his arms.
I pushed him away, shaking. “Don’t touch me. You’re filthy. Don’t you dare touch me.
His band froze in mid–air, then slowly dropped.
75 DOL
Jamie and Noah came to pick me up later. I didn’t look back as we walked out.
“Ten o’clock tomorrow. Carter & Associates.”
Brandon opened his mouth, but I cut him off.
“Oh, and by the way–remember that night I came upstairs to “drop something off‘?”
as still on
“My phone camera was
“Guess we’ll find out if it caught anything interesting.”
I walked out and shut the door behind me.
Inside, Ashley’s sobs echoed through the walls.
