Chapter 2 I Want A Divorce

Jasper couldn't wrap his head around it. His boss had spent his entire life single, without ever showing an interest in women. How could a single trip to the hospital have turned him into a father?

"We don't even know who this woman is. Why would you help her, Mr. Campbell?" Jasper asked, clearly puzzled.

"I find joy in helping people," Kristopher replied.

Jasper rolled his eyes in exasperation. Could he really call this helping people? He was taking on the role of a father, not merely helping an old lady cross the street.

By the time Rylee finally regained consciousness, she discovered that her daughter had disappeared.

"Where's my daughter?" Rylee demanded as she frantically searched the room for her.

The doctor explained, "Your husband made the arrangements to have your daughter cremated. He personally signed the authorization form."

Beside her, Rylee found the cremation certificate and looked down at it.

The space labeled "Father" bore a stranger's unmistakable signature: Kristopher Campbell.

Who could Kristopher be?

Rylee recalled pleading with a man to contact the funeral home before she passed out.

Could that man be Kristopher?

Had this stranger been the person who took responsibility for arranging her daughter's final affairs?

Rylee couldn't remember how she made it home. She sank onto the bed and drifted into a deep, exhausting sleep.

Through the fog of her exhaustion, she faintly heard Evan come home.

The sight of her lying in bed made Evan frown with obvious displeasure.

Ordinarily, the moment his car pulled into the driveway, Rylee would wait by the front door, take his coat, and help him change into comfortable loungewear. She had never stayed in bed without acknowledging his return before.

Evan stared at her back. "Where is Aria?" he demanded.

Rylee's eyes flew open as a sudden rush of desperate hope filled her chest.

Surely Evan couldn't disregard their daughter entirely. Some part of him must still care for Aria.

But before she could respond, Evan said in disgust, "Aria keeps falling ill. Don't bring her back home yet. She could pass something to Claire and put her baby at risk."

Rylee's eyes immediately filled with tears. Her voice came out in a choked whisper. "There's no need to worry. She isn't coming home again."

Relieved, Evan exhaled and gave a nod. "That's good."

Closing her eyes tightly, Rylee felt warm tears stream down her face. Evan was not worthy of being a father.

"Find a bedroom that gets plenty of sunlight for Claire," Evan instructed. "She doesn't like dark rooms. And be sure to use silk bedding. Her skin is sensitive, and she isn't accustomed to sleeping on regular sheets—"

"I want a divorce," Rylee interjected in a completely flat voice.

Evan stiffened.

Slowly pushing herself into a sitting position, Rylee continued, "Once we're divorced, Claire can move straight into the master bedroom."

Evan inwardly dismissed her words.

Her attempt to manipulate him through Aria's hospitalization hadn't worked, and now she resorted to threatening divorce.

As he moved closer to the bed, he said icily, "You're already my wife. What else could you possibly want? After Claire gives birth, the baby will call you 'Mom' and carry the Marshall name."

Inside, Rylee could only sneer. Did he honestly believe being his wife was some kind of privilege? And why would she ever agree to bring up Claire's baby?

Evan pulled up four clothing designs on his phone. "Claire has an education and real talent. She created the Ethereal Seasons collection for Marshall Group, and it took the fashion industry by storm, bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars in advance orders. You've never accomplished anything for me on the level of Claire's."

Rylee stared intently at the four drawings. In an instant, her expression changed.

There was no mistaking that those four designs were her own. She had called the collection Ethereal Seasons and stored the files on the company's computer without making them public. How could Claire now be claiming the designs as hers?

Evan went on, "The yearly Designers' Convention takes place next week. They've invited Dream, the independent designer who's become so popular online. Claire once studied under Dream, and Marshall Group is determined to bring Dream aboard. Don't stir up trouble right now, or else..."

A sharp flash of pure ridicule appeared in Rylee's eyes. She was none other than Dream herself. When had Claire ever studied under her?

After logging into her account, Rylee saw an invitation from the convention. "Dear Dream, we would be honored to have you attend the Designers' Convention this year."

Early in her marriage to Evan, she had hoped to work in Marshall Group's design division. Colors and design had come naturally to her since childhood, but Evan had considered her rural background and lack of a college degree an embarrassment in the fashion industry.

Eventually, Evan's mother, Kathleen Marshall, had assigned her the position of his personal assistant, leaving her with little to do besides attending to his everyday needs.

Without telling anyone about it, Rylee had created the online alias "Dream" and sometimes accepted independent freelance design projects.

She was aware that countless people wanted to find her. There was even talk in the fashion world that whoever hired Dream would dominate the market. Still, she had dedicated herself to Evan and turned down every invitation.

Now, however, she intended to appear at the convention and use her standing to reveal the deception. She refused to let Claire pass off her designs as her own.

Evan sniggered. "Why do I even bother telling you this? You don't understand the fashion industry. You're a housewife. All you need to do is look after Claire and her baby."

Rylee merely rolled her eyes.

When Evan's phone started ringing, Claire's coquettish voice sounded from the other end. "Evan, the thunder is scaring me. I think it's frightening the baby as well. Can you come and stay with us?"

At the sound of his beloved's coaxing voice, Evan's anger disappeared at once. "Sure," he answered gently. "Make sure the windows and doors are shut. I'll be there right away."

Rylee felt a chill settle deep into her bones.

Evan had never shown Aria any warmth. Rylee had long told herself that he simply didn't care for children. Now she understood that he didn't dislike children in general. It was her child he couldn't stand.

Even before the operation, Aria was desperate to see her father. Remembering it brought another sharp pain to Rylee's heart.

The loss of her daughter had brutally destroyed the last pitiful illusions she had continued to hold about Evan.

Once Evan was gone, Rylee sent a message to her friend Jessica Hayes. "I'm divorcing Evan. Get me the best divorce attorney in Willster. Whatever the fee, I'll pay it."