From Rival to Sister-in-law

Josie Watson asked for a divorce for the ninety-ninth time, but Laurence Andrews took a call from his first love and told her to get out of the car.

"Go home and think it over. I hope this is the last time you make a fuss," he said.

For Rosalie Harris, he abandoned Josie repeatedly, humiliating her.

Laurence believed Josie couldn't survive without him.

He didn't know Rosalie's brother was secretly encouraging Josie to divorce and leave the country.

...

"We should get a divorce," Josie said. She stared out at the storm, asking Laurence for a divorce for the ninety-ninth time.

Rain battered the windows, as relentless as the despair in her heart.

She learned a month ago that Laurence saw her as a stand-in for Rosalie.

Three years of marriage, all the sweetness, turned to nothing.

Her phone lit up with a message. "Josie, has he agreed to the divorce? Is a plane ticket for a week from now okay?"

The one urging her to leave was Chris Harris, Rosalie's older brother.

She knew Chris had feelings for her. If she wanted to escape Laurence, he was the one who would help.

Laurence didn't look at her. He just gripped the steering wheel tighter. "Stop it. I don't have time for this," he said.

She turned to him. The car was dim, her face pale, her eyes hollow as she watched him.

This time, she didn't cry or argue. She was eerily calm.

Laurence grew irritated under her gaze. He pressed the gas, and the car sped through the rain. "I told you Rosalie is just an old friend. Stop being paranoid."

He added impatiently, "I'll cover your dad's next surgery and buy you five new bags."

His tone was like he was dismissing a clueless subordinate.

She thought she was numb by now.

But Laurence's words still cut her deeply.

A cheerful violin ringtone broke the silence.

It was Rosalie's special ringtone.

His cold face softened instantly.

Laurence slowed the car and pulled over smoothly. "Rosalie, don't worry. I'm coming right now," he said.

In three years of marriage, Josie never even had her own ringtone.

He hung up, and the warmth vanished. "Rosalie needs me. Go home."

Laurence kicked her out of the car like it was nothing.

He opened the door, letting the storm pour in.

"Go home and think it over. I hope this is the last time you make a fuss," he said.

He didn't even leave her an umbrella.

The Maybach sped off, splashing water onto her skirt.

She pulled a folding umbrella from her bag and opened it, watching the car disappear into traffic.

She let the cold rain hit her face, hoping it would wake her up.

Memories flooded back.

Years ago, when she faced dropping out, Laurence's grandmother anonymously funded her education.

To repay her, when she was ill and wanted to see Laurence married, Josie agreed to the marriage.

Laurence and Josie had an arrangement. She played the perfect wife to ease his grandmother's mind, and he supported her and her sick father.

She became Laurence's all-purpose secretary. Their marriage started without love.

But Laurence gave her a dangerously perfect beginning.

He'd go to an old diner in a back alley, waiting in line forever, just to get her a late-night soup.

He remembered her period, always ready with hot cocoa and a heating pad.

Laurence even tore up his outdoor garden to build a greenhouse for her, filled with flowers he planted himself.

He patiently watched artsy movies with her, clumsily handing her tissues when she cried.

Those small acts of care wove a tight net, trapping her.

She fell hard, loving this man who was cold to everyone but special to her.

Then, a month ago, Rosalie returned.

Chris sent her a message saying she was Rosalie's stand-in.

She found a locked photo album in Laurence's study.

The password was Rosalie's birthday.

Inside were photos of Rosalie, from her awkward school days to her elegant adulthood, each carefully preserved.

The album's edges were worn, flipped through countless times.

In one photo, a teenage Rosalie wore a white dress, holding a violin, her smile bright and bold.

Laurence once bought Josie the same dress, saying it suited her.

Notes under the photos listed Rosalie's preferences.

"Rosalie loves soup from the south side diner.

Rosalie gets cramps and needs hot cocoa.

Rosalie loves flowers, especially peonies.

Rosalie loves artsy movies."

...

Every detail matched how Laurence treated Josie.

In that moment, she knew.

A prince wouldn't fall for a nobody.

In reality, princes would end up with princesses.

Rosalie had been abroad for treatment, and Laurence's grandmother couldn't wait.

Josie showed up at the right time, with eyes and a vibe vaguely like Rosalie's.

Laurence shaped her into a perfect copy of Rosalie, based on her likes.

Now the real Rosalie was back.

Josie, the flawed imitation, had to go.

Her phone lit up. Chris. "He refused again?"

She replied. "Yeah, but I have a plan. Book the ticket for a week from now."

Chris responded instantly. "I'll come to Bayside to get you in a week. That okay?"

"Fine, if it's not too much trouble," she said.

She deleted the chat and walked into the rain.

Chris had been abroad for two years. He'd have to fly ten hours to pick her up, then ten more to take her back.

After betrayal, she didn't trust men's kindness.

She was just using Chris's feelings for her.

Karma worked in circles. The man she wanted to escape loved Rosalie, but the one helping her escape was Rosalie's brother.

Josie returned home soaked, stepping into the bedroom.

She opened the closet, filled with clothes Laurence had bought her.

Every piece was expensive and beautiful, but none matched Josie's true style.

She preferred bright colors and lively designs that made her feel vibrant.

But Laurence said she looked best in muted dresses, more elegant.

Now Josie understood why-because it was Rosalie's style.

She pulled out her suitcase and began packing her things.

Laurence only noticed the clothes and items that mimicked Rosalie.

Three years of marriage left Josie with few personal belongings, easily fitting into one suitcase.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Chris. "Josie, I've arranged an invitation to Eldoria Fashion Academy and an apartment for you."

Eldoria had been Josie's dream since childhood.

She loved fashion design and wanted to make it big there.

But after marrying Laurence, she gave up that dream to become his personal secretary.

Josie hadn't expected Chris to go this far for her.

He'd even secured a job and a place to live.

Knowing he was Rosalie's brother, she accepted without hesitation.

What could be more satisfying than Rosalie thinking she'd won, only for Josie to turn around and charm her brother, maybe even become her sister-in-law?

Whether she'd actually become Rosalie's sister-in-law, she'd decide after leaving the country.

For now, it was time to reclaim her own life.

Her phone pinged again. Chris sent a photo.

Josie opened it, seeing the apartment's interior.

In the center stood a handsome, refined man, bathed in sunlight, his figure glowing with a golden sheen that drew the eye.

The photo was clearly staged by Chris.

If he only wanted her to see the apartment, he could've taken it himself.

This was just a way to make sure Josie saw him.

At midnight, Laurence finally came home.

He carried a faint jasmine scent, not his usual cologne.

Josie didn't need to guess-it was Rosalie's perfume.

He seemed in a good mood, a gentle smile lingering on his face.

"Still up?" Laurence asked, loosening his tie.

"Waiting for you," Josie replied.

She didn't help him like she usually did.

"I was foolish before. I won't mention divorce again," she said.

Laurence paused, surprised. "Really?"

"Really," Josie said, her eyes innocent. "I realized marriage doesn't need love. As long as we respect each other and get what we need, that's enough."

Laurence heard the answer he wanted, but felt no joy.

He frowned. "I married you, so I won't abandon you easily. Rosalie's just been abroad for years and isn't well. She needs my help."

Josie smiled faintly, not arguing.

What was Laurence thinking? She'd asked for a divorce ninety-nine times to make way for Rosalie, but he refused.

Now she suggested returning to a marriage of convenience, letting him pursue Rosalie openly.

Yet he claimed she misunderstood his relationship with Rosalie.

Did he think she was stupid?

Rosalie had her own family-why would she need him to care for her?

Was it because Josie knew about his company's confidential projects, and he feared she'd leak them?

Was that why he wouldn't let her go easily?

Laurence stepped closer, displeased. "You don't believe me? Let's skip protection tonight and try for a kid."

Josie was stunned. "You..." Was he out of his mind?

Luckily, Rosalie's call interrupted.

Laurence answered, chatting briefly before explaining an investment project to her in detail.

Josie handed him the meeting documents she'd prepared.

This was their usual work routine.

Laurence glanced at the first page, saw nothing unusual, and signed while talking on the phone.

Josie showed only the last pages. "Here, here, and here, you need to sign."

Her heart pounded, but she kept her face neutral, flipping pages quickly.

Laurence's focus was on the call. He signed rapidly, not noticing one page was titled "Divorce Agreement."

Josie watched him sign, a weight lifting from her heart.

Tomorrow, she'd submit the divorce agreement to the lawyer. In seven days, she'd be free.

Josie went to work at the company as usual.

To avoid arousing Laurence's suspicion, she planned to perform her secretarial duties perfectly in her final days.

She stopped short at the door of the president's office.

The door was slightly ajar, and Rosalie was laughing, leaning her head on Laurence's shoulder.

Her body practically draped over him.

Laurence looked down at Rosalie, his eyes filled with an indulgence Josie had never seen.

Josie pushed the door open, and both turned to look at her.

Rosalie shook Laurence's arm and said, "Is that your secretary? Get me a hand-brewed coffee."

Her tone was like giving orders to a household servant.

The possessiveness in her voice was unmistakable.

Laurence hesitated, unsure how to explain, but Josie responded calmly, "Sure, just a moment."

With the divorce agreement in hand, she was merely his secretary now.

In the break room, the aroma of grinding coffee beans filled the air.

Josie focused on each step, her head lowered.

She recalled a note from the photo album: Rosalie likes Yirgacheffe with a hint of fruity acidity.

No wonder Laurence's office always had Yirgacheffe beans.

To match his "preference," Josie had grown accustomed to the fruity tang.

Her life, tastes, and habits had been quietly molded into another woman's image.

The steam from the coffee misted Josie's eyes, but she didn't cry.

Her heart had gone cold, and tears no longer came.

Josie carried the tray steadily toward the office.

As she approached the sofa, Rosalie, who had been sitting, suddenly stood up as if to meet her but stumbled, crashing into Josie.

"Oh no!" Rosalie exclaimed.

The tray tilted, and a full cup of scalding coffee splashed onto the back of Josie's right hand.

A sharp, burning pain hit instantly.

Josie stifled a groan, instinctively pulling her hand back as it visibly reddened and swelled.

Laurence immediately yanked Rosalie behind him. "Rosalie, are you burned?"

Rosalie hid in his arms, her eyes teary. "I didn't mean it. Your secretary walked too fast, and I didn't see her coming."

Only then did Laurence glance at Josie, who was hunched over, her fingers trembling from pain.

"How could you be so careless?" he snapped, seemingly blind to her red, swollen hand. "What are you standing there for? Go take care of it!"

In that moment, Josie's heart felt as if it had been doused with the scalding coffee and then thrown into an icebox.

She said nothing and turned to the bathroom.

Cold water rushed over her hand, the pain searing, but it paled compared to the chill in her heart.

Laurence knew her hands were vital to her.

When she wasn't working, she practiced sketching fashion designs at home, and he'd even found resources for her.

If he'd paid attention, he'd have seen Rosalie's stumble was deliberate.

Rosalie knew Josie wasn't just a secretary but Laurence's wife.

Yet she acted anyway, banking on Laurence's affection for her.

This hand...

Josie needed it to draw fashion sketches and chase her dreams in Eldoria.

If Rosalie dared to cross that line, Josie wouldn't hold back.

She looked up at the mirror, seeing a woman radiating newfound resolve and freedom.

Back at her desk, Josie placed her burned hand on a copy of the divorce agreement, snapped a photo, and sent it to Chris. "Chris, I've got the signed divorce agreement. It's with the lawyer now. Everything's on track."