“Heey gal, this can’t continue; otherwise you’re going to get sick,” Lindsey said, hugging her as she sat on the couch next to her.
It had been a week since Ashley came to her place and all she did was cry and cry more.
Ashley looked at her best friend, who looked at her, worry filled in her face.
“You have to eat something sweetie, I’m worried about your health, try to eat something, okay? For me…” Lindsey said, looking at her in concern, she watched her best friend breaking down as she explained all that happened.
Lindsey had never seen Ashley that broken ever in her life.
“Lin, I’ll be fine, I just need…” Ashley mumbled out her eyes red and swollen, her voice cracking stopping her from completing her statement.
What she thought would be a happy ever after turned out to mean nothing to the man she adored most.
“He’s not worth it sweetie, I know you’re hurting, but you have to stay strong and…” the doorbell rang interrupting their conversation.
Lindsey walked towards the door, opening it just to reveal the last person she expected to be on her doorstep.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Lindsey asked, looking at the man before her in disbelief.
“I’m here to see Ash, how is she holding up?” he asked, his face lowered in shame. Ashley shot up from her seat, hearing the familiar voice she would recognize even in her slumber.
“She’s not here,” Lindsey responded, holding herself back from slapping the daylights out of Jordan.
“Please I need to see her, I know she’s here,” Jordan insisted, holding the door.
Lindsey scoffed, looking at him in shock, “and what makes you think she wants to talk to you?”
“Lin pl…” “Don’t call me that, you lost that right when you hurt my best friend!” Lindsey fired back her eyes wide in annoyance as she pushed the door ready to close it on his face.
Jordan huffed as he shrugged his shoulders in defeat, he knew what he had done, there was no turning back from it.
“Lindsey please, I just…”
“Get out of here before I slap…”
“Lin, let him talk,” a soft and weak voice from behind them said, making the two shift their eyes towards Ashley.
Jordan’s eyes fell on her, making him feel his heart twist at the sight before him. He had never seen her that broken, but instead of feeling sorry, he felt guilty. He had done that to her, pushed her to her hell.
If only his grandfather hadn’t forced the marriage on the two, maybe she would have found someone who was worthy of her.
“Ash? What are you doing?” Lindsey asked, looking at her best friend in worry.
“Let me Lin I’ll be okay, I want to hear what he has to say,” Ashley said, opening the door wider inviting him in.
The man before her was no longer the Jordan she knew, he looked entirely different. A version of him, he hadn’t seen in their five years together, it almost looked like he felt guilty.
“I’ll be in the kitchen, call me any time if you need me,” Lindsey said, placing either arm on Ashley’s cheeks.
Ashley nodded, fighting hard not to shed any single tear, she couldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing just how much he had hurt her.
“Talk,” Ashley said, her voice empty, her face bearing no emotion. Jordan ran his hands through his hair out of words on what to say.
“What do you want?” Ashley insisted looking at his eyes which were filled with emotions. She could have sworn she noticed hurt in them, or maybe it was just her wishful thinking.
“Ash I…” Jordan tried to talk, but he couldn’t face her straight, he reached in his briefcase removing a stack of papers.
“Look Ash, I hope it was different but we both knew this couldn’t work out, and I’m not trying to justify my actions but…”
“Do you need me to sign the papers?” Ashley interrupted looking at him, her face emotionless, but the same couldn’t be said for her crumbling heart.
“It doesn’t have to be this cold Ash, I’m doing this for the baby, you know how much grandpa wanted me to have an heir,” Jordan explained, his eyes averting her eye contact.
Ashley breathed in sharply as holding herself together, she had no fighting will in her anymore.
“I understand, where do I sign?” Ashley said, suppressing the hurt inside her voice as she looked down at the papers, he handed her.
Not in a million years did she imagine herself signing the end of their marriage because of another woman.
“Ashley, please don’t be… l’ll give you everything you want, you can have the mansion… any amount of money you want…” Jordan tried to lighten the situation, but Ashley seemed deaf as she lowered her pen, signing away what she thought was her haven.
As Jordan watched her signing the papers, he felt his heart ripping him apart, but he had responsibilities to take care of.
Ashley was forced on him, although she was kind and loving, he never really felt the spark. But the banging feeling overwhelming his heart and body begged to differ.
“I don’t want anything from you, Jordan,” Ashley said as she looked up to him handing back the already signed divorce papers. Jordan looked at the broken woman before him, knowing too well as to not push her any further.
“Here, goodbye Jordan, good luck on your new-found love.” Her words cutting through his heart like a sharp knife, the finality in her tone made him instantly regret his decision, but it was too late.
“Ashley, I wish things…”
“Leave!” Ashley said feeling breathless and weak, her head swirling. Everything happened so fast as Lindsey flew out from the kitchen hearing Ashley’s distressed wail.
Before Jordan could comprehend what was going on, Ashley was falling on the ground unsupported. Springing into action he held her in his arms hurriedly placing her on the couch.
“What happened! What did you do to her!” Lindsey asked the panicked Jordan who shook his head clueless.
“I don’t know, we were talking and she just… she …” Jordan tried to catch his breath, but he couldn’t talk straight. Lindsey picked up the papers, waving them on Ashley to supply air around her until her eyes caught the writings on the papers that she froze.
“Is she going to be…” “Get out of my house!” Lindsey ordered in anger looking at him in rage as she threw the papers to him.
“You did this, Jordan! You’re so heartless, I hope you never regret this, now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get my friend to the hospital,” Lindsey said, trying to pick Ashley up, but she couldn’t.
Before she could say anything, Jordan lifted his ex-wife up heading towards the door. As Lindsey settled in her car with Ashley on the back seat still unconscious, she started the car.
“I’ll look after her from now on, Jordan, there’s no tie between you two! You’ve done enough,” Lindsey said, driving out of the compound.
As Jordan watched the car disappear, he felt his cheek get wet making him touch his face quickly wiping the tear.
He knew his choice was difficult to make but the right one but after what just happened, he didn’t know anymore.
Picking up his buzzing phone he got into his car and drove away remembering Maya was supposed to be discharged in an hour.
The bright light in the room made Ashley narrow her eyes to adjust, the last thing she remembered was signing the divorce then darkness followed. The door opened, ushering in a worried Lindsey, “Sweetie, you got me worried, how are you feeling?” Ashley smiled weakly, something she hadn’t done in a week. “I feel…okay,” Ashley said looking at her body, her hand resting on her stomach making her expression change. “How long have you known Ash?” Lindsey asked, her eyes fixed on her stomach. Ashley looked at her, her eyes filled with pain, “some days now.” “Gal, I’m so sorry you had to go through all that, why didn’t you tell me?” Lindsey asked, hugging her as she sat before her. “No one knows… does he know?” Ashley asked, remembering she fell unconscious before Jordan. “No, I didn’t let him come, but you know he needs to know,” Lindsey said, caressing her cheek gently. Ashley shook her head, “no, he doesn’t, he has a family now, he chose them Lin, I won’t bother him,” Ashley said
Ashley smiled as she noticed how the silk navy-blue dress hugged her hips like a second skin. Her long blonde hair complimented her light makeup and toned skin.Washington had done nothing less of being a blessing in her life in the five years she had settled in. She hadn’t felt that uneasy for a long time as she looked forward to whatever Danton had prepared for her. She never understood why the man despite being a senior doctor never summed up the courage to ask her out.The door to her bedroom door banged open, pulling her out of her thoughts. “Mommy, Mommy, Bry is… wooow…” Brenda started only to stop as she looked at her mother. “Bry, Rand, come see how beautiful mommy looks!” she shrieked, clapping her hands together as small quick footsteps were heard approaching the room. Ashley smiled as she watched her children swarm into the room looking at her in admiration. “You look beautiful Mommy,” Brandon complimented, making Ashley smile as she muttered a thank you to him. “Mom,
“Ash?” Jordan mumbled looking at the woman before him in both surprise and disbelief. Jordan took steps forward, as if trying to make sense of the odds of meeting her there. “Dad, do you know her? Her name is Miss Ashley not Ash,” Shane asked looking between them. Ashley stood there with her legs and mind urging her to run while her heart protested, beating fast. As she noticed him take steps forward her mind flipped making her take long steps backwards. “No, Shane, I don't know your dad, but it's nice to finally meet him, but I've got to go now, see you later,” Ashley blurred, noticing the hurt that crossed Jordan's eyes but quickly disappeared. The thought that she managed to hurt him even in the slightest made her feel her heart swell in pride. Jordan watched his once love hastily leaving as if trying to run away from him. He couldn't stop the hurt feeling that filled his heart. She had changed so much, and she was nowhere near Ashley from years ago who couldn't defend hersel
“You what! What the hell, Ash? Why didn't you tell me?” Lindsey snapped as she heard Ashley mention her ex-husband's name in the room. “Calm down Lin, what was I supposed to say to you? We just met accidentally at the airport, his son actually…” “His son! He has a son with that… That son of a b**ch! What's he doing in Washington?” Lindsey cursed, as she ran her hands through her hair. Ashley understood her friend's reaction, she wished she could react in the same way. “I don't know Lin, I told you we met accidentally,” Ashley explained, the scene replaying in her mind. If that little boy wasn't there, she had a feeling things would get heated up. She couldn't get her mind off the hungry look he nailed on her face throughout that moment. And like witchcraft, she couldn't help but welcome it. “Right, then I think we better keep you away from him,” Lindsey suggested but saw how far gone in thoughts Ashley already was. It was clear there were some ties still not severed between the
Pinned to the wall Ashley felt confused as her watery eyes looked at the man before him. “What are you doing Dan? What's this?” Ashley asked, her voice coming out breathless. “What's wrong with you, love? I thought you would be excited. I decided to make a bold move, we both know what we want, I mean c'mon Ash,” Danton said looking at her with his eyes filled with a hungry lust. Ashley felt her body tremble on seeing him like that. Danton was always composed but right now, the man before her was nowhere near the Danton she knew. “Please can you at least let me go first you're hurting me,” Ashley said trying to wiggle her wrists out of his firm hold. “C'mon Ash, do you think I'm stupid? You want to go running back to that beast's arms right?” Danton said, squeezing her wrists even harder, his face cringed in anger. Ashley looked at him in confusion, she had told him lightly of her past relationship, but she didn't think he took it too personally. He always claimed he was like her
Pacing through the hospital corridors, Jordan couldn't help but feel restless. Maya had been undergoing a series of tests for a few hours now, so they had to wait. His left jaw stung as the purple bruise remained quite visible, a sign of whatever he portrayed last night. Either bravery or stupidity, he couldn't watch Ashley get mistreated on his watch. The near call on her made him feel like he needed to protect her even more. Jordan noticed a nurse approaching, making him walk towards her in hope. “How are the tests coming along?” He asked calmly, it didn't surprise him that he felt more impatient than panic waiting on his wife. She was not the same woman he took back five years ago, she had turned into his nightmare. “Sir, we're waiting for a senior doctor and a consultant, she'll explain everything to you,” the nurse explained, smiling politely at him, probably mistaking his mood for panic. Sitting down for a few more minutes, Jordan couldn't stop his mind from running back t
Before Danton could get a chance to touch her another time, Ashley felt him get yanked from her. “What kind of man are you? Huh?” Ashley heard a voice she thought she knew, but her brain couldn't register anything. As she heard the rustling in the room, she knew whoever saved her was in a fight with Danton. She couldn't push her eyes open, she didn't have the courage to. “I'll kill you today!” Danton retaliated, delivering a blue on the man's face. “She's in here!” Finally, a voice she knew came in, making her open her eyes slowly to search for Lindsey. “Where is he?” Lindsey entered the locker room with a series of guards behind her. “He ran out as soon as he heard you,” Jordan said, touching his mouth as he wiped off the blood on his busted lip. He had noticed Ashley going into the room, but he didn't see her go out. In curiosity, he drew closer just to hear the man from last night's voice making him act quickly. Seeing him practically on Ashley, Jordan couldn't take it, an
Jordan stormed into the room following his outraged wife. “Maya! What the f**king hell was that?” He cursed seeing red in rage on his wife's wild behavior. Maya turned to him, smiling as if she didn't understand what he was so angry about. “What babe? I was just fighting for my man, if I let all those wh*res jump your bones under my watch, what kind of life am I, huh?” She responded, trying to justify what she did. Her statement hitting Jordan with shock, “Are you f**king serious right now? Lin would never do that and you know it! What am I even explaining…” Jordan trailed off realizing she was trying to throw him off track with her allegations. “Why don't you tell me about the fact that your test results show you underwent a total hysterectomy years ago?” Jordan asked as he watched her face turn white as a sheet. He couldn't tell if it was in shock or surprise, with Maya he had learned to expect anything. The room fell awfully silent, the chatty Maya now just opening and closin
4 Months Later…Everything was clear as day as the months unfolded. The tabloids talked of nothing else than Jordan and Maya as Jordan's company grew. Jordan stood by his office window, looking down at the busy streets. His eyes, busy searching for someone he knew he had lost forever. The scene at the park four months ago still replayed in his head, but he stood his ground and left anyway. The pain in her eyes was unforgettable as he walked away with Maya clinging to him. If only he could make her understand, she was never in the wrong. If only… His office door clicked, pulling his thoughts together as he turned to see his best friend. “Hey man, how are you holding up?” Luke asked, greeting him. He could tell just how unhappy Jordan was. “I'm good, how's she doing?” Jordan replied, looking at him in anticipation. “She's doing good. The kids are okay too, man. You should drop by and say hae,” Luke suggested, patting his shoulder gently. “No, I'll watch them from a distance unti
The bell rang making the two women turn their heads quickly towards the door. As the door opened, revealing the children, Ashley's smile widened. “Hey my lovelies, how was school?” Ashley greeted making the kids’ faces lighten up as they ran towards her. It had been a long time since they saw their mom that excited and normal. “Mommy, are you okay?” Brandon asked his question playing in the other siblings’ faces. Not until that moment did Ashley realize just how much the kids had lacked a mother. “Yeah, I'm fine, how about you freshen up, and I'll take you out for ice cream?” Ashley said, making the children jump in excitement. “I'll have strawberry ice cream today and no, Bryson, that doesn't make me a girl," Shane commented before they left to change. “You’re so girly!” Bryson teased, making Brandon smile, but the same reaction was not what Brenda had. “So, Bry,are you saying being a girl is a bad thing?” Brenda asked, looking at her brother in anger. “No, no,I didn't say tha
“So,how is it going with your dad?" Lindsey asked, sitting beside Ashley. "It's good, he's sweet except for the fact that he has been absent all my life,” Ashley responded, her smile falling slightly. “I hope things work out completely well," Lindsey said, not knowing what else to comment. On one hand, it was her best friend but on the other it was her father in law. Making a decision on who to take sides with was totally not an option. “Are you sure you don't want me to forgive him quickly so I can be your sister in law?”Ashley teased pulling Lindsey out from her dilemma. "Geez, you're already my best friend,so either way I don't lose anything, I still have you," Lindsey said, patting Ashley's shoulder playfully. Ashley felt tears sting her eyes from the statement making her force out a smile to mask it. “What's wrong Hun," Lindsey asked,nothing passing her detective eyes. Ashley summed up the courage to look at her before saying the words she thought she could never bring he
“I'm sorry pumpkin, it's my fault, I should have found you sooner,” Mr. Hamilton said as he sat on the couch next to Ashley. Ashley sniffed as she wiped another streak of tears from her eyes. “Why didn't you? It was so hard!” Ashley said as she recalled her past life. Mr. Hamilton lowered his head, shaking it as if he were contemplating on what to say next. “You know, if Mr. Millers hadn't found me, I would still be out there with no meaning,” Ashley muttered as she let her mind wander into the past. “You know, your mother and I, we didn't work out too well and by the time I knew about you, it was years back, I don't mean to excuse myself but…” Mr. Hamilton said soothing Ashley back hoping she would understand. “My mother? She's still out there?” Ashley asked, her voice breaking as if she were ready to burst out in tears again. “Yeah she is, although I haven't heard or seen her in years, she's still out there,” Mr. Hamilton explained, his voice low as if he were talking to himse
Ashley fluttered her eyes, slowly opening them as she fought hard to adjust to the light in the room. The last she could remember was passing out with a striking pain in her belly. The door cracked open, revealing a man in a white coat. “Mrs. Millers? You're awake, I'm Dr. Stevens,” the man said, examining her eyes. “Doctor, what's happened to me?” Ashley mumbled, her voice coming out enstrangled. “Well, you were overwhelmed by stress and passed out,” Dr. Stevens explained cautiously. “I… I am going to be okay?” Ashley asked, her voice filled with worry. “Yes, yes, of course, but you need to be more careful now that you…” “Yes I know my unpredictable change in mood,” Ashley said dismissively as she closed her eyes lightly. “No, I was going to say… Congratulations, you're pregnant,” the doctor explained, smiling at her. Ashley's eyes shot open at the news, her heart beating fast in shock. She tried to open her mouth to say something, but it went all dry. How could
Distant faint chatter hit her ears as she heard her name being mentioned. Her body moved like waves as she closed her eyes tightly waiting for the effect from the impact which never came. The room was filled with horror as they watched Ashley passing out in shock. Jordan rushed to catch her in time before she could fall to the ground. “Ashley? Ash? Can you hear me?” Jordan asked, holding her cheeks in worry. “Let's get her to the hospital,” Jordan added, looking at the frozen Lindsey before them. Lindsey’s sight focused on Luke who ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “I'm sorry man, I didn't mean it to come out that way,” Luke apologized, pacing in the doorway. Jordan hoisted Ashley in his arms quickly heading towards the parking lot. None of them appeared to be in a state to help him as they were all shocked. As hours passed, the doctor came out his face neutral, not letting out any emotion. “Mr. Millers, I have good and bad news, which would you like to hear first?
Jordan breathed in sharply as he tried to calm himself as he yet again got another negative call. It's been two days since Lindsey came back with the news. Outside the hospital corridors Jordan paced running his hand through his hair. He didn't think he was ready to make any other step forward. Seeing his little boy helpless on the hospital bed rendered his muscles weak. He pushed the door gently open, breathing out slowly as he saw his son sleeping peacefully. The doctors kept him under medication due to the seizure. Jordan couldn't hold back the lone tear that fell as he held his son's hand. He didn't know what to start with as Ashley was still missing. As Jordan sat by the bed, the door to the room gently revealed Luke, his best friend. “Hey man,” he greeted entering the room as he stood behind Jordan. “He's still the same, I don't understand why he's still unconscious,” Jordan said, his eyes fixed on his son. “He's going to be okay, Jordan, don't worry yourself too much,”
Ashley moaned softly as she turned by the naked man beside her on the bed. How peacefully he was sleeping made Ashley wonder how they got to that point. How she went from hating him to sleeping next to him every night. The birds chirped joyfully, announcing the dawn of a new day. Everyone around her had been so supportive, telling her anything she didn't remember. But deep inside, Ashley still felt she was missing something. “Hello sunshine,” Jordan's voice hit her ears, making her smile as she locked eyes with him. “Heey, you,” Ashley greeted back, smiling sweetly. Having to look at him each morning filled her heart with so much joy. “Today's the day, are you sure you can do it?” Jordan asked, brushing his fingers through her hair. Ashley smiled, leaning her face on his hand, “yes, I can do it, I can't miss his last therapy session.” Jordan kissed her lips softly, “good, now kiss me properly, love.” Jordan teased, making Ashley giggle in joy. The sound of a soft knock pulled
Ashley watched the man playing with the children outside her house from a distance. It had been a week since she left the hospital, but still couldn't get the anger she felt at him. A big part of her wanted to run to him and kiss him breathless, making her blush for even thinking that. But the thought that he abandoned her to be with another woman, stopped her. Ashley couldn’t get the horrid feeling that a big chunk of her life memories were missing from her mind. She could only wonder if she ever forgave him, given that the children already knew him. “What are you thinking about, sweetheart?” Lindsey’s voice came from behind her, lighting up her heart. “Was he always this good with the kids?” Ashley asked, making Lindsey follow her line of sight. Lindsey smiled as she heard the four children chanting ‘daddy, daddy' all over the house happily. “I guess so…” Lindsey mumbled as she touched her invisible baby bump unconsciously. “You're going to make a great mom, Lin, and Luke wi