Chapter 4 Moving out

Rachel was about to leave when Sahara asked her to follow her to the study.

After entering the study, Sahara sat elegantly on the sofa by the window, looking at Rachel coldly.

"Rachel, three years deadline is almost over. When are you planning to leave my son?"

Rachel listened to the scolding without responding.

Back then, she was cornered.

Her original target had been someone else.

She had heard about the rumors about the woman who had failed to seduce the heir of the Holland family and had been driven mad by him.

So, she never planned to sleep with Jared.

However, in the end, she still slept with him accidentally.

Because she had always felt guilty toward the Holland family, so no matter how Sahara and Alice insulted her, she endured it.

"Smack..."

A loud slap echoed in the study.

Sahara slammed her hand on the table. "How dare you zone out when I am talking?"

"I am sorry." Rachel said.

"Have you received the divorce papers I had sent you?"

"Yes."

Sahara's lips curled in scorn. "If so, when are you planning to leave."

"I have already signed the divorce papers and packed my bags. I will leave tonight."

Hearing this Sahara nodded. "Good."

****

After leaving the study, Rachel didn't stay at the estate any longer.

After returning to the Galaxy villa, she picked up her packed bag and was ready to move out.

Standing in the middle of the room, she looked around one last time.

For three years, this had been called her home.

But in reality, it had never truly belonged to her.

Taking a quiet breath, she picked up her suitcase and walked downstairs.

Just as she was about to step out of the door, a voice stopped her.

"Madam, you can't leave like this."

Rachel turned and saw Mrs. Smith standing in the hallway.

Mrs. Smith was the housekeeper Sahara had sent over shortly after Rachel married into the Holland family. Although she always addressed Rachel as "Madam," there had never been any real respect in her tone. Everyone in the house knew her real task was to keep an eye on Rachel-making sure she didn't take anything that belonged to the Holland family.

Rachel's eyes turned slightly cold.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked.

Mrs. Smith spoke calmly, "Madam, before you leave, I need to check your bag."

Rachel let out a faint sneer.

"What? Do you think I'm a thief? That I would steal something from this house?"

Mrs. Smith pressed her lips together before replying, "Madam, I hope you still remember that according to the agreement, after the divorce you are not allowed to take anything belonging to the Holland family."

Rachel's fingers tightened around the handle of her suitcase.

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then she placed the suitcase on the floor and pushed it toward her.

"Fine," Rachel said coldly. "Check it."

Mrs. Smith stepped forward, unzipped the suitcase, and began inspecting the contents piece by piece.

After a moment, she paused.

From the bag, she took out a delicate bracelet.

"Madam," she said, holding it up, "this belongs to the Holland family. You cannot take it with you."

Rachel's gaze fell on the bracelet.

Jared had given it to her on her birthday the previous year.

"It was a birthday gift from Jared," Rachel said quietly.

Mrs. Smith shook her head.

"But it was given by Mr. Holland, so it's Holland property," she replied firmly.

Rachel slowly lifted her eyes to look at her.

Her gaze had turned completely cold.

"Was this ordered by Sahara," she asked, "or by Jared?"

Mrs. Smith answered honestly, "Madam Sahara gave the order. But Sir hasn't objected, so I believe he agrees as well."

Hearing those words, the last trace of warmth in Rachel's heart seemed to freeze over.

For the past three years, she had tried her best to be his wife.

But in the end, to Jared... she had probably been nothing more than a convenient companion in bed.

Nothing more.

Mrs. Smith continued going through the suitcase, removing several items one after another-jewelry, accessories, and anything that had been bought with the Holland family's money.

By the time the inspection was finished, Rachel's once full suitcase had been reduced to barely half its size.

Rachel hadn't packed many things, just a few of her cosmetics, skin care products and some seasonal outfits. But she even took out the Victoria's Secret lingerie which Jared had bought for her before.

After she was done, Rachel closed the bag without saying another word.

Then she picked it up and walked out of the Holland residence.

This time, she didn't look back.

*****

As soon as Rachel walked out of Galaxy Villa, another problem struck her.

She stood by the roadside with her suitcase and suddenly realized something she hadn't thought about before.

Where would she stay now?

Almost all of her monthly salary went directly toward her mother's medical treatment and rehabilitation center fees. Over the years, she had barely saved anything for herself.

Rachel had already applied for the airline's staff housing, but the approval process would take some time.

At first, she considered staying in a hotel for a few days. But when she opened her banking app and checked her balance, a bitter smile appeared on her face.

Two hundred dollars.

That was all she had left.

Rachel stared at the screen for a few seconds before letting out a quiet sigh. After thinking for a moment, she scrolled through her contacts and called Charles.

The phone rang only once before he picked up.

"Ellie?"

Rachel hesitated for a brief moment before speaking.

"Charles... can you lend me some money?" she asked quietly. "I'll pay you back as soon as I receive my salary next month."

There was a silence on the other end of the line. "What happened? Why do you suddenly need money? Everything alright?"

"Yes. I have decided to divorce Jared and move out from the Galaxy villa." Rachel said calmly.

"How much?" Charles asked, his voice warm and immediate.

"Three thousand? Maybe four? I will pay you back once I get my next month check!"

"Okay. But where are you planning to stay?" He asked.

"I planned to live at the hotel until my housing application is approved by the airline." Rachel said calmly.

"Why waste money on hotel. Come stay at my place. I will clean the guest room for you."

"Won't it be inconvenient for you?" Rachel hesitated.

"What's there to be inconvenient? Aren't we best buddies. What's more, I have no interest in women." Charles said.

Rachel smiled. "Thank you."