It was pouring rain, and I hated going out in storms.
Jason’s call came through, his voice sharp, frustration hanging in every word.
“Chloe Hartwell, the wedding’s next week. Can you stop causing problems?”
The rain hammered against the windows, thunder rumbling in the distance.
I gripped the edge of my blanket. “Can we do it tomorrow? The forecast says it’ll be sunny.”
Jason’s breathing grew heavy, frustration tinged with something else.
“Tomorrow, I’m helping Sophia try on wedding dresses.”
“What about the day after?”
“Chloe Hartwell!”
When Jason got mad, his voice dropped, low and dangerous. I didn’t need to see his face to know it was stormy, his brow furrowed, certain I was playing games.
I sighed, feeling the weight of it. “Fine. Wait for me.”
I hated rainstorms. Dreaded them.
Back in my old world, I’d been in a car accident during a storm. That’s how I ended up in a coma and found myself here, in this world, thanks to the system.
I hailed a cab, but by the time I folded my umbrella, half my hair was drenched.
I frowned, annoyed. I couldn’t stand rainy days.
The streets outside were nearly empty.
My phone kept ringing, calls from Jason.
I cracked a bitter smile. He was so impatient, he couldn’t even wait a minute.
Oddly, I felt nothing.
It seemed the separation program was already working its magic.
The cab slid around a corner, tires screeching on the slick pavement.
I lurched forward, my forehead slamming into the seat in front of me.
Jason’s calls didn’t stop, but unfortunately for him, I’d been in a car accident.
I grabbed my umbrella and started walking toward the County Clerk’s Office.
The driver grabbed my arm. “Where do you think you’re going? The ambulance is on its way.”
“Let me go. I’ve got urgent business.”
“What’s so urgent? Reincarnation?”
“I’m getting a divorce.”
The driver froze for a second, his grip tightening.
Maybe he mistook the rain on my face for tears.
He looked at me, pity in his eyes, his voice softening.
“Urgent or not, you still need to get checked out.”
I reluctantly agreed.
They took me to Lakewood Medical Center. After a series of tests, it was too late to hit the County Clerk’s Office.
Jason stormed into my hospital room, his initial panic morphing into a cold, irritated mask when he saw I wasn’t hurt.
“A car accident? Chloe Hartwell, couldn’t you come up with a better excuse? Where are you hurt?”
I spread my hands, unbothered. “Nowhere.”
Jason flipped through my test results, his face growing darker with each page.
The paper crinkled in his hands as he scoffed bitterly. “Chloe Hartwell, are you really trying to make my mother die with regrets?”
“I told you, I’ll divorce Sophia once she has the baby. Can’t you think about me for a second? Do you know how worried I was getting here? And you? You’re fine lying to me.”
His words should’ve stung. They should’ve made me mad, broken my heart all over again. Why should I even try to understand him when he was willing to destroy our family for Sophia?
But now, I was calm. The fight was gone. I didn’t have the energy to care anymore.
“Jason Danish, I wasn’t lying. I really was in an accident. The driver’s still here if you don’t believe me. I got lucky.”
He didn’t believe me, but before he could explode, his phone rang. It was Sophia.
His stern expression melted away as he answered, voice softening.
He didn’t even step away. Her sweet, playful tone echoed through the room.
We weren’t divorced yet, and she was already calling him “hubby.”
And Jason? He didn’t correct her.
After hanging up, he sighed, turning back to me.
“Chloe, I’ll pick you up tomorrow. Don’t make this harder. You know Grace doesn’t have much time.”
Grace’s dying wish was for Jason and Sophia to marry. Jason was scrambling to make it happen.
I nodded, the weariness settling in. “Okay.”
“Don’t fight me on this, Chloe…”
“What did you just say?”
Jason froze, looking at me like I’d just struck him.
I repeated myself, my tone unwavering.
“I said, okay. Tomorrow, divorce.”
