Chapter 3Cut Me Free

It was bad enough that Charlie thought that, but I never expected Rachel to think the same way too.

I found it laughable. I was the eldest son of the Jepsen family. When did I need to hide behind Rachel Jackman's reputation to throw my weight around?

Once again, I regretted losing the proud version of myself for love. At the same time, the last bit of attachment I had to this marriage finally vanished.

"Rachel, sign the divorce papers as soon as possible. Don't make me take this to court," I said coldly.

Then, I picked up my suitcase and walked away without looking back.

-

When I walked through the front door, my parents were excitedly talking about the northern lights on the travel channel. The moment they saw me, they quickly turned off the TV.

Traveling around the world had always been their dream. Unfortunately, I, their only son, was blinded by love. I was so focused on Rachel that I refused to come home and take over the company.

I walked over, took the remote out of a drawer, and turned the TV back on. Then I booked two flight tickets to Fernor on my phone.

Instead of smiling with surprise, my parents looked at me with concern.

I knew I couldn't hide it, so I told them the truth. "Rachel and I are getting divorced."

The spacious living room went silent.

After a long while, they walked over and gently held my hands.

"No matter what you decide, we'll support you. We only want you to be happy," My dad said. "Your mother and I will always be here for you."

My eyes stung with tears as years of hurt and frustration finally overwhelmed me.

They had never approved of my marriage to Rachel, but I kept pushing until they finally relented.

I squeezed my dad's hand, then took my mom's. The three of us placed our hands together.

I said with a smile, "Don't worry. I'm fine."

But the two of them refused to believe me. They insisted I change my flight from the next day to a week later so they could spend more time with me.

At their suggestion, I booked a family portrait session. It has always been our family's favorite tradition every year.

After I married Rachel, I invited her many times to join us, but she always turned me down because she was too busy with work.

-

Early the next morning, my parents and I arrived at the photo studio. To my surprise, I saw a familiar face.

It was Rachel, and Charlie was with her.

Charlie's face lit up as he held Rachel's hand. "Rachel, thank you for canceling such an important meeting just to come take pictures with me."

Smiling, Rachel tapped him on the nose. "Silly. You're the closest person to me. If I don't spoil you, who will?"

Bitterness rose in my throat. So it wasn't that she didn't have time. I just wasn't worth making time for.

"Zander, what are you looking at?" My mom asked.

"Nothing. I thought I saw someone I knew." I stepped in front of my mom so she couldn't see them. Then I led her away.

Inside the studio, I had one arm over my dad's shoulder and linked arms with my mom. I smiled like a carefree child.

With a loud click, the photographer pressed the shutter and captured the warm moment.

At that moment, it felt as if I had been given a chance at a new life. I had also found what mattered most to me again.

"Oh dear." My dad had just gone to the restroom when my mom suddenly clutched her stomach. Pain was written all over her face.

"What's wrong? Is your stomach acting up again?" I asked.

I helped my mom to the lounge next door and called both our family doctor and an ambulance.

"I was wondering why you would be willing to divorce Rachel. So you've found yourself a rich woman."

While we were waiting for help to arrive, Charlie suddenly showed up.

He looked my mom up and down with a disdainful gaze, his tone full of contempt.

"This old lady may have taken good care of herself, and she may have class, but she's still old. She'll never compare to Rachel."