The Moment I Realized I Can't Lose You novel Chapter 4

"Don't overthink it." Joaquin frowned, cutting Rainey off. "Audrey just had a disagreement with my mother and is speaking out of anger."

He gently supported her arm, guiding her back into the hospital room. "I have no intention of divorcing her right now."-

The absolute certainty in his voice made Rainey's eyes darken for a fraction of a second. She quickly lowered her head to mask her irritation, ensuring her voice sounded thick with unshed tears. "Okay... You two have been married for over a year. If word gets out that you're divorcing right after I come back... everyone will think I ruined your marriage..."

Joaquin was quiet for a moment before giving a muffled nod. "Yeah. So we'll deal with this later."

Seeing that he was validating her concerns, the gloom in Rainey's eyes finally dissipated.

Settling back into her bed, she gazed out the window at the rising sun. "I've been back for a while now, but I've just been suffocating in this hospital room..."

She turned to Joaquin, her tone dripping with sweetness. "Joaquin, could you take me out shopping today? You're announcing my return to the public in a few days, and I need to buy some new clothes and jewelry."

She reached up, deliberately adjusting her medical cap to reveal a thin, patchy spot near her scalp. "I can't let people see me looking this ugly."

Catching sight of her thinning hair, a flash of pity crossed Joaquin's eyes. "Alright."

...

It was the weekend. After hanging up on Fiona, Audrey had tried to go back to sleep, but her mind was racing.

Frustrated, she dragged herself out of bed and began cleaning the house and packing her bags. She had dropped the divorce bomb last night. Even if Joaquin hadn't agreed yet, he would eventually do it for Rainey. She needed to be ready.

While tidying the dining room, she spotted the exclusive black card Joaquin had left on the table. With the maids constantly coming and going, losing it would be a massive headache.

Just as she tucked it safely away to return to him later, her phone buzzed. It was her best friend, Bianca Snow.

"Audrey, how did it go? Did your husband completely lose his mind when you told him you're pregnant?"

Bianca had been her ride-or-die since kindergarten. Even after Audrey's parents died and she was sent to the country, Bianca kept in touch and constantly dragged her wealthy parents out to the rural town to bring Audrey supplies.

Audrey had no secrets from her. Pausing her packing, she spoke in a flat voice. "Bianca, I'm divorcing him."

There was a stunned silence on the line before Bianca found her voice. "What the hell is going on?!"

Just yesterday afternoon, Audrey had been happily grocery shopping for a surprise romantic dinner. How did things go from a romantic evening to divorce in one night?

Walking toward them was a very intimate couple. Joaquin was dressed in a long, dark wool coat, exuding an untouchable, aristocratic coldness. Clinging to his arm was Rainey, looking delicate and fragile, yet moving with undeniable upper-class elegance. They walked in front, trailed by three or four bodyguards carrying piles of designer bags.

Seeing them together left a bitter taste in Audrey's mouth. She had once asked Joaquin to take her shopping. They had only been married a month, and Bianca had suggested they spend time together to build a connection. Joaquin hadn't even hesitated before rejecting her. He was too busy. His time was too valuable to waste.

Yet for Rainey, he apparently had all the time in the world to burn.

"What are you looking at?"

Noticing her zoning out, Bianca followed her line of sight. The second she saw the couple, she let out a loud, mocking laugh. "Talk about bad luck. We come out for a nice day of shopping, and we run right into a piece of trash and a cheating dog."

Bianca wasn't quiet. Her voice echoed, drawing the stares of multiple shoppers.

Rainey and Joaquin simultaneously turned to look. When Joaquin's eyes landed on Audrey in the skin-tight gown, a flash of undeniable astonishment crossed his face.

He knew she had a great body. He had, after all, explored every inch of it over the past year. But he had no idea she could look this breathtakingly seductive in couture.

Rainey didn't miss the shift in his gaze. Swallowing a spike of pure venom, she forced a bright smile and approached Audrey. "Audrey! It's been so long!"