Chapter 3
Rachel stood in the living room, her voice steady as she said, “William, I want to break off the engagement.”
Benjamin’s father, William Garza, froze, caught off guard. “What? Why? The wedding is about to happen.”
She lowered her gaze, hiding the bitterness in her eyes. “Benjamin and I don’t love each other. There’s no point dragging it out. My mother will be released soon, and I want to leave with her. I want to spend time with her.”
Her determination left him no room to argue. He sighed. “Alright. I’ll arrange your tickets. Once your mother is out, you can leave in half a month…”
Just then, a voice cut in from behind. “Who’s leaving?”
Rachel’s body stiffened. Before William could answer, she quickly spoke. “No one. Why are you back?”
Benjamin didn’t press. “I heard you had returned, so I came to pick your
- up.
Later, William asked them to stay for a meal before leaving.
At the table, Benjamin absentmindedly placed food on her plate, as he always did. It was gestures like these–bringing her home, serving her at meals–that had once made her believe he truly cared.
Midway through the meal, he suddenly said, “Dad, the wedding will still be held in two weeks. Make sure to inform the guests.”
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Chamer 3
William blinked at him, then glanced toward Rachel. “Didn’t Rachel tell you? She wants to cancel the engagement-”
The sharp ring of Benjamin’s phone drowned out his words. He answered quickly. Rachel sat close enough to hear everything.
“Dr. Garza, Angie is running a fever, but she refuses to leave work. Please, come talk her into going home.”
He tightened his grip on the phone, his tone urgent. “Keep an eye on her. I’m on my way.”
When he hung up, he turned back. “Dad, what were you saying?”
Without waiting for a reply, he added, “Forget it. We’ll talk later. I need to go.”
Abandoning the manners he usually upheld, he scraped his chair harshly against the floor and strode out the door.
Watching his retreating figure, Rachel felt a dull ache spreading through
her heart.
After leaving the Garza’s residence, she went straight to the prison.
She picked up the phone in the visiting booth and noticed Wendy’s weary face through the glass. Her nose stung, but she forced the tears back.
Wendy’s eyes shone with emotion as she pressed the receiver close. “Rach, has the Garza family and Benjamin treated you well all these years?”
Rachel tugged down her sleeve to cover the bandaged wound on her arm, forcing a smile. “He’s treated me wonderfully, Mom. Don’t worry.”
Wendy relaxed, a small smile breaking through. “Your wedding must be
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soon, right? It’s such a pity I can’t be there.”
“We’re not getting married. He doesn’t love me.” Rachel tried to keep her tone light. “When you come out, let’s leave together, alright? It will be just the two of us. I’ll stay by your side from now on.”
Wendy’s eyes glistened. “Alright. We’ll do as you say.”
Back in the empty house, she felt the hollowness pressing in. It had been six weeks since she last stayed here, yet everything was different now.
Upstairs, she gathered her personal belongings, leaving behind everything that had come from the Garza family. Those things had never truly belonged to her, she had no right to keep them.
That night, Benjamin never came home. He only returned the following afternoon, bringing a designer and stylist with him. “There’s a dinner party for the leading figures in medicine. You’ll come with me and meet some people.”
He never shied away from presenting her as his wife in public–because to him, she was a responsibility and nothing more.
When Rachel was ready and walked to the car, she reached for the passenger seat door, only to find it locked.
From behind the wheel, Benjamin said, “We’re picking up Angie. She gets carsick, so you have to sit in the back.”
Her fingers tightened on the handle. Had he forgotten she also got carsick?
She lowered her head and forced a wry smile before silently opening the back door.
When Angelina got in, the first thing she said was, “Thank you for
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staying with me all night yesterday, Dr. Garza. I wouldn’t have recovered so quickly otherwise.”
A tender smile softened Benjamin’s face. He ruffled her hair. “I’m glad you’re better. You need to take better care of yourself.”
The sight pierced through Rachel like a blade.
Angelina glanced back, feigning surprise. “Oh, Ms. Hudson! You’re here too? I shouldn’t sit up front then. I’ll move to the back.”
Benjamin started the car engine without hesitation. “It’s fine. Stay where
you are.”
Rachel’s stomach churned as the car moved. By the halfway point, bile stung her throat. Thankfully, they reached the venue before she completely succumbed to nausea.
She slipped her hand through Benjamin’s arm as they entered, while Angelina hovered close at his side.
Throughout the entire party, he did take Rachel around to meet many people, but only briefly. After that, all his attention went to introducing Angelina to the prominent figures in the medical field, leaving Rachel ast nothing more than a backdrop.
The motion sickness lingered, leaving her dizzy and pale. She excused herself, saying she needed the restroom, and lingered outside for half an hour before steadying her breath and heading back.
But the moment she reached the entrance, she froze. Benjamin had his arm wrapped tightly around Angelina, whose cheeks were flushed. Her breathing was quick and uneven.
His voice was low, strained, as if he was holding something back. “Angie,
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just a little longer. We’re almost there.”
Rachel’s heart jolted, and she followed after them. She trailed them all the way to the upstairs hallway, then stood frozen as she watched the two of them enter a room together.
Chapter 4
