Chapter Three: Ashton's POV

My eyes fluttered open slowly, the faint light filtering through the curtains feeling like a knife to my throbbing head. I groaned, reaching up to rub my temples.

What had happened last night? I could barely remember anything beyond the meeting with the executives. Had I really drunk that much?

I tried to piece together the fragments of my memory, but it was like trying to grasp smoke. All I knew was that something had gone terribly wrong, but what could it be?

I sat up slowly, my head spinning slightly. As I glanced around the room, a sense of unease settled over me. Something was wrong. The air felt…different.

I would usually wake up to the scent of toasted bread and waffles that Helen used to make. And I’d always pretend not to enjoy it, but I actually did. There was nothing like that this morning. What was going on?

I swung my legs out of bed, groaning as my bare feet hit the cold floor. I stumbled toward the dresser, my vision still blurry.

As I passed by the window, I noticed the snow outside, a thick layer of white blanketing the world.

 Christmas. 

Right. 

It was Christmas Day. But something was off. The house was too quiet.

I paused as realization dawned on me. It was Christmas Day? How was it Christmas Day all of a sudden? I had promised to spend Christmas Eve with Helen, but… 

I trailed off in my thoughts as I took another look around the room. And just like someone who got some sense slapped into him, I realized this wasn’t my room back at home. This was my private suite in the company. What the fucking hell am I doing here? 

I held my head as I tried to recall what happened last night, but they were all blurry images that I couldn’t make any sense out of.

“Helen,” I muttered under my breath. I broke my promise to her. Just when I wanted to fix things with her, tell her I was sorry for ignoring her and that it wasn’t her fault she couldn’t conceive, and that I was such a fool to not have seen it all this while…this had to happen.

I have to apologize to her.

Swiftly, I rushed into the bathroom and took a bath, determined to patch things up and have a nice Christmas celebration with her. A few minutes later, I was ready and stepped out of the suite, making my way to the elevator.

When it dinged open, I rushed out, not taking notice of the Christmas decorations and chatters of the employees, preparing for the Christmas party tonight - the reason I had stayed for that meeting last night. They chorused a “Merry Christmas, Mr. Fletcher!” as I passed by and all I could do was nod with a small smile, my heart set to one thing — meeting Helen.

I got into the car, bringing the engine to life as I sped out of the parking lot, my mind racing as fast as the engine. I needed to fix things with Helen. I needed to apologize for my past mistakes and make things right.

The car ate up the distance between the office and my home, the familiar streets blurring by in a flurry of snow and holiday lights. But even as I drove, doubt began to creep in. What if Helen didn’t want to see me? What if she’d get angry that I broke my promise? I shook my head to dismiss the thoughts.

I stopped by a flower shop and got her beautiful flowers, chocolates, and cookies in different shapes. Helen loved those. With a smile, I headed back home.

The Christmas celebration was already in full swing by the time I got home. Mum and the rest of the family sat around the Christmas tree, singing Christmas songs and exchanging presents, their laughter and lively chatter filling the air. I was shocked to see Rose in their midst, but I was certain Mum had invited her — she had a special liking to Rose and treated her like a mother would her daughter. Sometimes, I wondered if it was because she had no female children, but she never treated Helen like that… and Helen was her daughter-in-law.

Mum turned, her brown eyes meeting mine. “Ash,” she called with a smile, standing to her feet. “You wouldn’t believe what happened. Our prayers have finally been answered. Helen—”

“Where is Helen, mum?” I asked, cutting her off.

Mum chuckled, holding my hand with a smile on her face. “That witch finally grew some sense in that little head of hers and left.”

My heart froze in my chest. “What?” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Left? You mean…she left the house?”

Mum nodded, her smile widening. “Left the house, left the city…who knows, maybe she even left the country. Good riddance, I say!”

I felt as if the world had turned upside down. This couldn't be happening. Not now, not when I was finally ready to apologize, to make things right.

I shook my head. I refuse to believe this.

Mum brought out some papers and unfolded them right before my eyes. 

“Look,” Mun pointed at a place where Helen’s signature was neatly and boldly written. “She finally signed the divorce papers.” 

Divorce papers? I never sent her any divorce papers. Sure, I had them printed out, but that was weeks ago until I had a sober reflection. I had kept them hidden in my office locker, not daring to bring it out or even talk about it.

“How?” I asked, taking the papers from her. “I never gave these to her.”

Mum scoffed, snatching the papers from me. “That doesn’t matter now,” she said, her face twisted in disgust. “What matters now is that you seal the deal by signing your own part, and you would be cut off from her for good.”

I shook my head. “No!” I took a step back. I might have broken my promise to her, but Helen wouldn’t be mad to the extent of signing divorce papers. How did she even find them?

“She’s gone, Ash!” One of my Aunts snapped. “Live with it. She doesn’t want you anymore. It’s only fair you let her go!”

I turned to face Dad, but he said nothing. He folded his arms, his expression hard and stern. He wasn’t pleased with what was happening right now and I knew it.