Chapter 12 Embarrassment

• Rachel's POV:
• I glanced up at the building's glass façade.
• Although I couldn't see through it, I could almost sense a chilling, silent gaze aimed at me, making me feel as though I were stuck in a freezing cavern.
• At this moment, Dean must have been wishing for a way to simply get rid of me.
• With Ted's help and the security guards he'd brought, I managed to push my way through the throng of people. Seeing Barclay throwing a fit on the ground, a profound weariness washed over me.
• "What do you want?" I asked, my voice heavy with fatigue.
• Barclay spotted me and scrambled to his feet, brushing off his clothes. "You're just in time. Get Dean down here so we can sort out the division of assets from the divorce."
• "I've told you before, his money belongs to him," I replied.
• Barclay's voice grew louder. "What are you talking about? So he's not paying for three years of your life? It's ridiculous! Do you think that a woman would let him have his way with her and not expect him to pay a cent?"
• I closed my eyes in exasperation, struggling to keep my temper in check. Turning to Ted, I said, "Call the police."
• Ted nodded in agreement.
• Barclay grabbed my arm urgently. "You can't just walk away! I'm doing this for us! The money I'm trying to get is meant for both of us! And now you're giving me attitude after I've raised you for all these years? It's unacceptable!"
• I pulled my arm free. "You know exactly why you're doing this. If you want to create a scene, go ahead. They'll take you away, and I could finally have some peace. And just so you know, neither Nathan nor I will bail you out. You'll just stay in the police station, where at least your creditors won't be able to find you."
• As soon as I finished speaking, a sharp sting shot across my face as a slap landed on me. "Is this how you talk to your father? I raised you and your brother, and now that you're married to someone rich, you act like you're better than me?"
• "Think what you like," I muttered, my face burning with humiliation.
• With more and more people watching, I wanted to leave as quickly as possible. Shielding my face with my hands, I lowered my head and walked away.
• Third-Person's POV:
• Even after making such a commotion for so long, Barclay couldn't get Dean to come down. Rachel showed up, then left, and the police were on their way. If Barclay were arrested, it would create quite a mess.
• Fuming, Barclay spat at a few security guards, "Tell your CEO I'll be back in a few days!"
• Once Barclay left, the crowd began to disperse.
• Ted entered the building and walked up to the man standing by the large windows. "Mr. Murray, the situation has been handled."
• Dean stood with one hand in his pocket and the other holding his phone, his expression cold and distant. His thin lips barely moved. "Where's Rachel?"
• "She's gone."
• Dean's brows furrowed. "Gone?"
• "Yes, and … " She was slapped.
• But before he could complete his sentence, Dean interrupted. "Postpone the afternoon meeting until tomorrow."
• Ted nodded/ "Understood."
• Dean unlocked his phone and, with a grim expression, sent Rachel a message
• "3 PM. See you at the courthouse."
• It took ten minutes for her to respond with a simple, "Okay."
• Rachel sat on a bench by the street, her phone now tucked away in her bag. She hugged her knees and buried her face in them, longing to escape to an unfamiliar place where she could start over—somewhere far from Barclay, Dean, and the deep-seated humiliation she felt.
• After an indeterminate amount of time, Rachel wiped away her tears and prepared to head to the courthouse. However, as she stood up, a sudden wave of dizziness overwhelmed her, causing the world to spin uncontrollably.
• Within moments, she collapsed.
• When she regained consciousness, she was met with the sharp, clinical scent of antiseptic.
• She realized she was in a hospital.