Chapter 3 Treat her like an outsider

Rachel's words fell heavily inside the car.

Jared's expression immediately darkened. His eyes turned cold as he looked at her through the rearview mirror.

For a moment, the air inside the car became tense.

Then, as if forcing the moment away, Jared suddenly smiled.

"Baby, don't joke like that," he said lightly. "You know I don't like that kind of joke."

Before Rachel could say anything, Olivia spoke up from the passenger seat.

"Jared is right," she said gently. "Rachel, you shouldn't joke about things like that. Sometimes words like these... can come true."

Rachel's eyes shifted to the woman sitting in front of her.

Olivia's voice sounded soft and concerned, but to Rachel it felt nothing more than pretentious kindness.

Rachel simply looked at her for a second before turning her gaze toward the window.

She didn't bother explaining herself.

Whether she was joking or serious, Jared would find out soon enough-once he returned home and discovered that she had already moved out.

There was no point in saying anything now.

The rest of the ride passed in silence.

Not long after, the car slowly pulled to a stop in front of the grand gates of the Holland estate.

The three of them stepped out of the car and crossed the wide lawn of the estate's front courtyard together.

With his long strides, Jared reached the villa first and walked inside without waiting for the two women behind him.

Olivia slowed her pace beside Rachel. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke softly, "Rachel... are you really planning to divorce Jared?"

Rachel stopped walking. She turned her head slightly, her face calm and unreadable as she looked at Olivia.

"And what does that have to do with you?"

Olivia forced a gentle smile. "Rachel, don't be angry. I'm just concerned about you. If Jared upset you in any way, you can tell me. I'll teach him a lesson for you."

As she spoke, Olivia reached out and held Rachel's hand, her expression full of apparent affection.

Rachel looked down at their joined hands. Then suddenly, the corners of her lips curved into a faint smile.

"Really?" she said lightly. "Then could you please stop calling him in the middle of the night, asking him to accompany you to the hospital as if you're dying?"

Olivia froze.

Rachel's smile widened slightly, though her eyes remained cold.

"And could you stop calling him every time he's with me?" she continued calmly. "Because it's really upsetting."

Olivia's face instantly turned pale. "I... I didn't mean-"

Before she could finish, Rachel pulled her hand away as if it disgusted her.

"Olivia," Rachel said flatly, "I know your tactics very well. So save that act for people who actually believe you."

She paused for a brief moment, her gaze sharp.

"I have no interest in your green tea performance."

With that, Rachel turned and walked away toward the villa.

Behind her, Olivia stared at Rachel's retreating figure. Slowly, her fingers curled into tight fists, the softness on her face disappearing.

Her expression turned cold.

*****

As soon as Olivia stepped inside the villa, the atmosphere around the dining hall shifted.

Several people immediately gathered around her.

Alice Holland, Jared's grandmother, reached out and took Olivia's hand affectionately. "Olivia, my darling, how are you? I heard you were admitted to the hospital again. Are you alright?"

Olivia smiled gently, lowering her gaze with practiced modesty. "Grandma, don't worry. It was just a minor ailment. But Jared stayed with me the whole time at the hospital, so I'm fully recovered now."

Hearing this, Alice exchanged a subtle, knowing glance with Sahara.

"Good, good," Alice said warmly. "Come, sit with Jared."

Olivia obediently followed her to the table.

Jared immediately stood up and pulled out the chair beside him for her. Only after Olivia sat down did he return to his seat next to her.

From the doorway, Rachel paused for a second.

Her eyes quietly swept across the scene before her - Olivia sitting beside Jared, surrounded by warm concern, the elders smiling, the family gathered around the table as if she belonged there.

As for her, just like always, she was treated as an air. Sometimes when Jared was flying, Rachel wasn't even allowed to sit at the table with them to eat.

Alice and Sahara forced her to stand there and serve their beloved Olivia.

As for her, she could only eat with servants after they finished eating.

But it was the last time... after today, she will never come back here again to humiliate herself.

After standing there for a while, Rachel walked forward.

There was only one empty seat left.

Across from Jared and Olivia. Next to Grandmother.

She sat down.

Soon the first course arrived--soup.

Rachel quietly picked up her spoon and began eating, her movements calm and unhurried.

Around her, however, the table buzzed with concern - but none of it was directed at her.

Olivia barely touched her bowl before Sahara immediately fussed over her.

"You must eat, sweetheart," Sahara said anxiously. "You just came back from the hospital. You need your strength."

Sahara gently spooned some soup into Olivia's bowl. "Try a little. It's light. It won't upset your stomach."

Olivia smiled softly, looking almost embarrassed by the attention.

"Thank you... I'll try."

Across the table, Rachel lowered her eyes to her bowl.

Soon, the main course was served.

Sahara looked at Jared, hinting he should serve Olivia too, "Jared don't just eat yourself."

Jared nodded, picked up the tender braised pork and put in Rachel's plate, "Eat some meat. You looked so thin these days."

Looking at the food in her plate, Rachel froze.

Did he misunderstood something? Sahara clearly asked him to serve Olivia.

Olivia looked at Rachel and said, "Rachel, you are so lucky, you can eat braised pork. Unlike me... I can't eat high-fat food."

Hearing this Rachel's eyes darkened.

Did Jared think she was a trash bin as he can throw anything his beloved not like onto her plate.

Her expression turned cold as she put down her cutlery and stood up.

Jared looked at her, "What's up?"

"I am full." Saying that, she turned to leave.

Jared frowned. "Even if you are full, you can't leave the table like that."

"Yes, I can." Rachel said.

Then she turned and walked out of the dining room. She hadn't gone far when fast and angry footsteps echoed behind her.

Jared caught her wrist and spun her around.

Their eyes met. Jared's eyes turned gentle as he pinched her nose. "What happened? How did I upset my princess this time?"

Rachel looked at him, her heart turning cold. She didn't want to engage with him.

He was always like this... a few offhand teasing remarks would turn her anger and hurt into what he saw as unreasonable tantrums.

But she had enough of this.

"Jared, I am done with you." She said, her eyes cold.

Jared frowned. He was about to say something when the phone in his pocket rang.

He looked at it and his face froze.

"It's the hospital," he said, "Olivia's latest blood test results just came in."

The way the color drained from his face told her everything she needed to know.

Jared looked at her and said, "Rachel, I have to take Olivia hospital for more tests. Let's talk about at home, okay?"

As she said, he walked away.

Rachel looked at his leaving back and a bitter smile appeared on her lips. There was nothing left between them to talk anymore.