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.

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."

As dusk fell, Rachel hailed a cab to the address Charles had sent.

At the small apartment door, a completely unfamiliar man opened it.

He had wheat-colored skin, a muscular build, and stood tall and imposing.

Rachel froze, thinking she must have the wrong address-

until Charles peeked out from behind him, one hand on his hip, the other arm casually draped around the man's shoulder.

"Ellie, let me introduce you to my new boyfriend, Taylor Clark. He's a fitness trainer."

He added, giving Taylor's bicep a squeeze, "See? Much more substantial than Captain Holland, don't you think?"

"..."

Compared to this man built like a gorilla, Rachel preferred Jared's physique.

Every inch of his lean muscles was perfectly sculpted-broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a pert little butt.

He looked slim in clothes but had solid muscle underneath.

She gave an awkward smile and greeted Taylor. "Hello."

Taylor nodded with a smile, appearing reasonably friendly. He took the suitcase from her hand and carried it into the small bedroom.

Charles noticed her unease. "Relax, you can stay here. My honey and I are both gay. We're not interested in someone like you..."

Physically, they were different.

Psychologically, they were sisters.

Rachel did relax a bit after hearing this.

Charles rested his forearm lightly on Rachel's shoulder and whispered, "Hey, did you move out because of that Olivia? Because you had a fight with Captain Holland?"

Rachel shook her head. "We're getting divorced."

"It can't really be because of Olivia, can it?"

Sort of-but not entirely.

That one night of recklessness with Jared somehow got blown up by the media. Though the Holland family's PR team responded, the story still spread like wildfire throughout L.A's high society.

Not long after, Sahara approached her, demanding she sign a prenuptial agreement stipulating divorce after three years.

Back then, she had no idea Jared harbored a long-lost love and was supporting his younger sister.

To prove her sincerity-to show she wasn't scheming for his money-she signed it decisively.

Looking back now, she felt a twinge of regret.

A man who wasn't meant for her was ultimately impossible to keep.

But if she could negotiate the terms and secure a hefty divorce settlement, that money would be hers-plain and simple.

"Ellie," Charles sighed, thinking she was still grieving over heartbreak. He patted her shoulder. "Let it go. There are plenty of men out there."

Taylor emerged from the small bedroom and chimed in, "Three-legged toads are hard to find, but three-legged men are everywhere. With your qualities, Rachel, you'll have your pick of men in the future."

Coming from a man, these words of comfort carried surprising weight.

Rachel suppressed a smile and nodded.

The three gathered around the coffee table for dinner, quickly growing comfortable with each other.

*****

The next day.

Charles had an early morning flight for work and rose at 5:00 a.m.

The door of the small bedroom was open.

As Charles passed by, he peered inside and noticed Rachel had already gotten up. She had even changed into her work uniform and was applying makeup.

He asked in confusion, "Ellie, aren't you on vacation?"

"Ah, Maya's grandmother passed away. She wanted to take a few days off, so I swapped shifts with her."

Rachel quickly dusted on loose powder, packed away her makeup case, and stood up with her suitcase in hand.

Charles watched her efficient movements and grew even more puzzled. "I thought your July duty hours had already hit the limit?"

"Nope. I can still fly a few more short international routes. Vacation isn't that appealing... might as well earn some cash."

Charles looked at her beautiful face and sighed silently.

As far as he knew, Rachel worked right up to her duty limit almost every month-literally risking her life to earn money.

He took her suitcase. "Give me five minutes to pack. I'll drive. You got up too early... sleep in the car."

Rachel nodded.

*****

Two days later.

Rachel never imagined that after moving out of Galaxy Villa, her next encounter with Jared would be in a conference room at Canada International Airport.

Pushing open the glass door, she immediately spotted Jared seated at the head of the conference table.

He wore a dark pilot uniform, his jet-black hair neatly trimmed, radiating a commanding presence.

What an unfortunate coincidence.

Although both she and Jared worked in the same airline aviation department, crew assignments between flight and cabin teams were not fixed. Due to factors like leave and scheduling, assignments were random.

This July marked the first time they had been assigned to the same flight.

Rachel entered, and Jared's gaze fell on her almost simultaneously.

His cold eyes narrowed slightly, radiating an intense aura.

Rachel pulled out a chair and sat down, pretending not to feel the oppressive weight of his gaze.

"The flight carries 260 passengers, including 12 infants requiring special attention. Two first-class passengers have requested vegetarian meals, and standard meals consist of Thai-style light fare..."

Rachel delivered the cabin report with smooth eloquence.

Moris, the co-pilot seated opposite Jared, frantically signaled to David to look at him.

Jared's face was cold and stern, his gaze fixed directly on Rachel.

It felt as though he could burn right through her, leaving a deep, searing mark.

David and Moris exchanged puzzled glances.

Captain Holland never took off his wedding ring, seemingly deeply devoted to his wife.

But the look he was giving flight attendant Rachel now was far too intense.

Could it be... he had taken a liking to Rachel?

The pre-flight briefing concluded.

Rachel slipped away as quickly as possible.

As she entered the glass-enclosed walkway leading to the aircraft cabin, footsteps behind her grew louder and closer.

Rachel, in her high heels, unconsciously quickened her pace.

The man broke into a short jog. His large hand clamped down on her slender wrist, his voice low and commanding.

"What are you running from? Am I some kind of monster? Or have you done something you shouldn't have-afraid to face me?"

Rachel spun around, lifting her chin defiantly. "Captain Holland, you're overthinking it. I just want to get back to the cabin quickly."

Click-clack... click-clack...

In the quiet, narrow glass corridor, only the two of them existed. Jared's approaching footsteps sounded clear and deliberate.

Rachel held her breath, suppressing the frantic pounding of her heart.

She wrenched her hand free from Jared's grasp and scanned the surroundings. Any small sound in the glass corridor made her jump like a startled bird.

Jared remained utterly composed, slowly bending down to whisper near her ear.

His warm breath brushed against her ear as he murmured, "The divorce agreement on the nightstand-what was that about?"

Rachel's face remained icy as she took a step back, her demeanor distant.

"Exactly what it says. How am I supposed to explain the literal meaning to Captain Holland, who seems to be lacking in intelligence?"

"..."

Jared's expression darkened considerably.

But he knew this was not the place for discussion. Punishingly, he pinched Rachel's cheek and dropped a sentence.

"I'll wait for you in the underground parking lot in L.A."

Then he bypassed Rachel and boarded the plane first.

The pinch wasn't painful-it carried a hint of playful reproach and ambiguity-but Rachel was furious.

"Bastard! You smudged my foundation!"