Grass to Grace: Second Chance Wealth

Chapter 2: WE ARE DIVORCING!

The next day, Rachel headed to work as usual, dressed in a sleek black shirt and skirt that accentuated her professional demeanor. Meanwhile, Alex made his way to the market, determined to find a valid reason to visit her at the office. He knew that simply showing up unannounced wouldn’t grant him entry, so he decided that preparing a homemade lunch would be the perfect excuse. After gathering the necessary ingredients with his saved-up money, he returned home, where he found that Rachel’s parents had already left, leaving him alone.

With care, he prepared the meal, packaging it neatly in a small lunchbox adorned with a delicate flower design. Feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, he set out for Rachel’s workplace. As he arrived, he was greeted by the familiar sight of the two security guards at the entrance. They recognized him but maintained their professionalism.

“Stop there,” one of the guards said, his tone firm.

“Good morning, gentlemen,” Alex replied with a gentle smile, trying to ease the tension.

“What do you want?” the guard pressed.

“I came here to give my wife a homemade lunch,” Alex explained, holding up the lunchbox for them to see.

“Okay, we will inform her,” the guard said, motioning to his partner.

“Oh, don’t bother,” Alex interjected quickly. “Today is our anniversary, and I thought I’d surprise her. It won’t be a surprise if you tell her.” 

The guard hesitated for a moment before relenting. “Okay, but be quick,” he said, allowing Alex to enter.

As Alex stepped through the door, a wave of anxiety washed over him. He couldn’t shake the thought of what he might find inside. With a sudden burst of determination, he pushed her office door open forcefully. What he saw made his heart drop. There, in front of him, was Rachel, her usually serene expression replaced by shock, panting heavily. A handsome man, half-dressed, was sprawled on top of her. They both scrambled to separate, hastily pulling on their clothes.

“What are you doing here?” Rachel demanded, her voice laced with anger.

“Hey, you ruined the fun,” the man said, glaring at Alex. “Who the hell are you?”

Alex’s gaze remained fixed on Rachel, his heart racing. “Michael, I’m sorry for the inconvenience,” Rachel said, her embarrassment palpable.

“Do you know him?” Michael asked, pointing at Alex with disdain.

“Yes, he is my husband,” Rachel replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Oh, the good-for-nothing you told me about,” Michael scoffed, a smirk playing on his lips. “Look, man, you caught us. I can see you’re suffering from poverty. I’ll give you some cash to keep your mouth shut.”

Alex stood there, stunned, as Rachel looked at Michael with a seductive gaze. “Hey, quickly get on your knees and thank him,” she said mockingly.

“Thank him for my foot,” Alex spat, his anger boiling over. He had never shown this side of himself before, and Rachel was momentarily taken aback.

“Are you deaf?” Rachel snapped, stepping toward him and delivering a sharp slap across his face. Alex caught her wrist, stopping her mid-swing.

“You want to slap me because of him?” he asked, incredulous, pointing at Michael, who was now seated, enjoying the spectacle.

“Yes,” Rachel replied defiantly, pulling her hand free.

“You chose him over me?” Alex asked, his voice trembling with hurt.

“Yes, a thousand times. He is richer and more handsome than you. You expect me to remain faithful when you can’t even take care of me?” Rachel shot back, her anger palpable.

“Oh baby, don’t waste your strength on him,” Michael chimed in, wrapping his arms around Rachel’s waist.

“Hey man, do you want the money or not?” Michael asked, his tone condescending.

“Keep your filthy money,” Alex said, his voice steady as he turned and stormed out of the office.

“Just don’t tell my parents,” Rachel called after him, her voice laced with a mix of regret and defiance.

“What a fool,” she muttered under her breath as she watched him leave.

“Don’t mind him; he doesn’t know what’s good for him,” Michael said, dismissing Alex’s departure.

Feeling utterly betrayed, Alex walked home in a haze of anger and disbelief. After everything he had done for Rachel, she had chosen wealth and superficiality over their life together.

That night, as he sat in silence, his mother-in-law, Danielle, returned home. “Hey, Alex. Are you stupid? Where is dinner?” she barked, noticing the empty dining table. She stormed upstairs, cursing him under her breath.

“What is all the noise for?” Rachel asked, entering the house just as her mother was throwing a tantrum.

“So you were at home all along. You’re so evil; you let an old woman like me keep yelling. I can see you want me dead,” Danielle fumed, her frustration boiling over.

“See what he’s doing, Rachel? He doesn’t bring home any money, and now he wants to starve me to death!” Danielle continued.

“Hey, Alex, I was looking for you. Here are the divorce papers,” Rachel said suddenly, shocking everyone in the room.

“Okay,” Alex replied, taking the papers from her. He signed them without hesitation and handed them back.

“What happened?” Danielle asked, confusion etched on her face.

“We are divorcing,” Rachel stated coldly, her expression firm. Alex could see that she had made her decision long before this moment.

“You will regret your decision,” he said quietly as he walked out of the house, feeling a mix of anger and sorrow.

“Rachel, explain to me what’s happening!” Danielle yelled after her daughter.

“I said it, Mom. We are divorcing,” Rachel repeated, her voice unwavering.

“What do you think your father would do if he found out?” Danielle asked, grabbing Rachel by the arms.

“Mom, I don’t care what Dad would say. It’s my life, and no one is going to boss me around. Just help me lie when Dad comes home. Give him a reason,” Rachel insisted as she retreated to her room.

Alex stepped out of the house, his heart heavy with despair. He wandered aimlessly, feeling lost and alone. He had nowhere to go but felt that returning home was not an option. As he walked, a car approached him, and he quickened his pace, hoping to avoid any further confrontation. But the vehicle—a sleek black limousine—came to a stop in front of him.

A familiar face emerged from the car, a middle-aged man dressed impeccably in a tuxedo. “Good evening, Young Master,” he greeted with a polite smile.

Seeing the man, Alex turned away, unwilling to engage.

“Please, Young Master, listen to me,” the man urged, quickening his steps to catch up.

“What do you want, Old Man Cole?” Alex snapped, his anger still simmering.

“Please, Young Master, the house leader, Master Wilson, regrets his decision and wants you back. We have been searching for you for years. We recently just found your location,” Old Man Cole explained earnestly.

“You searched way too late,” Alex replied, tears threatening to spill from his eyes.

“Please, Young Master, Mr. Wilson truly regrets his decision and wishes to reconcile with you,” Old Man Cole continued, his voice filled with sincerity.

In the Wilson family, Old Man Cole had been a father figure to Alex, practically raising him. “He is using you to emotionally blackmail me,” Alex said, stopping to face the man.

A guilty smile crept onto Old Man Cole’s lips. “You still have sharp judgment. But Mr. Wilson is on his deathbed and wants to see you one last time.”

“Even if you don’t want it, can you just fulfill his last wish of seeing you?” Old Man Cole pleaded.

As much as Alex wanted to voice the pain he had suffered after being kidnapped and the trauma he had endured, he kept silent.

“Thank you, Young Master,” Old Man Cole said with a slight smile, sensing a glimmer of hope.

Alex reluctantly climbed into the luxurious limousine. “You can start now. Take us to the hospital,” Old Man Cole instructed the driver, a bulky man with a husky voice who nodded in acknowledgment as he started the engine.