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.