2
The next day, I didn’t make it to the County Clerk’s Office.
It was pouring rain, and I hated going out in storms.
Jason called, his tone sharp with frustration.
“Chloe Hartwell, the wedding is next week. Can you stop causing trouble?”
Rain pounded against the windows, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
I clutched the edge of the blanket. “Can’t we do it tomorrow? The forecast says it’ll be sunny.”
Jason’s breathing grew heavier, tinged with exasperation.
“Tomorrow, I’m helping Sophia try on wedding dresses.”
“What about the day after?”
“Chloe Hartwell!”
When Jason got angry, his voice grew low and weighty. I didn’t need to see him to know his face was stormy, his brow furrowed, convinced I was playing games.
I sighed. “Fine. Wait for me.”
I hated rainstorms–feared them, even.
In my original world, I’d been in a car accident during a storm. That’s how I ended up in a coma and became part of this world through the
system.
I hailed a cab, but by the time I folded my umbrella, the rain had drenched half my hair.
I frowned, irritated. I hated rainy days.
Outside the fogged windows, the streets were nearly empty.
My phone rang incessantly. All calls were from Jason.
I tugged at the corners of my mouth in a bitter smile. He was so impatient he couldn’t wait even a minute.
Oddly, I felt nothing.
It seemed the separation program was already taking effect.
The cab skidded at a corner, the tires screeching against the wet pavement.
M
O
田
I was thrown forward, my forehead emacking against the seat in front of me.
Jason was still blowing up my phone, but unfortunately for him, I’d been in a car accident.
I grabbed my umbrella and prepared to walk to the County Clerk’s Office.
The driver grabbed my arm. “Where are you going? The ambulance is on its way.”
“Let me go. I’ve got urgent business.”
“What’s so urgent? Reincarnation?”
“I’m getting a divorce.”
The driver froze for a second, then tightened his grip.
Maybe he mistook the rain on my face for tears.
He gave me a look–equal parts pity and sadness.
“Urgent or not, you still need to get checked out first.”
I supposed he was right.
I was taken to Lakewood Medical Center. After a battery of tests, the County Clerk’s Office had long since closed.
Jason stormed into my hospital room, his initial alarm fading into a cold mask as he saw I was unharmed.
“A car accident? Chloe Hartwell, you couldn’t have come up with a better excuse? Where are you hurt?”
I spread my hands. “Nowhere.”
Jason flipped through my test results, his face growing darker by the second.
The paper crinkled in his hands. He laughed bitterly. “Chloe Hartwell, are you determined to make my mother die with regrets?”
“I told you–I’ll divorce Sophia once she has the child. Can’t you think about me? Do you know how worried I was coming here? And you? You’re fine with lying to me.”
Once, I might have been hurt by this, furious even.
Why should I understand him when he was ready to tear our family apart for Sophia?
Who understood me?
But now, I was calm. I didn’t even have the energy to argue.
“Jason Danish, I wasn’t lying. I really was in an accident. The driver’s still here in the hospital if you don’t believe me. I just got lucky.”
Jason didn’t believe me, but before he could vent further, Sophia called.
His stern expression softened. His voice became gentle.
He didn’t even bother stepping away. Her playful, sweet tone carried clearly over the line.
We weren’t divorced yet, and Sophia was already calling him “hubby.”
And Jason? He didn’t correct her.
After hanging up, he sighed and turned to me.
“Chloe, I’ll pick you up tomorrow. Don’t fight me this time. You know Grace doesn’t have much time left.”
Graces dying wish was to see Jason and Sophia married. Jason busied himself making it happen.
i nodded. “Okay”
“Don’t fight me, Chloe…
“What did you say?”
Jason froze, startled.
I repeated myself.
“I said, okay. Tomorrow, divorce.”
