MasukShare
Chapter 10
Bab terkait
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 11
The funeral home?Colin hung up the phone without a second thought the moment he heard those words. Scam calls had become so audacious—now they were even pretending to be from a funeral home? How unbelievable!Sophie was perfectly fine. Why would he need a funeral home? The phone rang again moments later."Mr. Fuller, we're from the funeral home. We need you to come down immediately to handle the child's death certificate and post-cremation paperwork."The caller wasted no words and hung up just as Colin was about to explode in anger. Every word in that call tested the last shred of Colin's patience. He had truly had enough!He thought Aspen was completely insane. In her desperate attempt to lure him in, there was nothing she wouldn't do.Was she truly even going so far as to claim their daughter was dead? What kind of mother would say something like that?"Colin."At that moment, a familiar voice reached his ears. He turned around to see Gwyneth there. Even though his eyes w
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 12
"Colin, you should still go check on Ms. Nicholls. Don't let things get out of hand." Gwyneth sighed while tugging at Colin's sleeve. Her expression was full of restrained sorrow.Colin couldn't stand seeing her upset. Her words only fueled his anger."If I go looking for her, I'll be falling right into her trap. I want to see how she plans to keep up this act without me!"He let out a cold scoff before pulling Gwyneth into his arms. "If only she were as understanding as you," he murmured.Despite his words, Gwyneth didn't feel particularly pleased. Still, she leaned against his chest, keeping up appearances."Don't be angry. At the end of the day, Ms. Nicholls just cares too much about being Mrs. Fuller. You should try to understand her a little."Her eyes misted over slightly, and she hesitated before adding, "But… you two are already divorced. How much longer is she going to keep making a scene?"The word "divorce" hit Colin like a dagger, and his expression darkened instantl
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 13
Sophie had been gone for days now, yet Aspen still couldn't accept the truth. She kept feeling as if Sophie was still there right beside her, almost as if she had never left.Aspen woke up in the morning to find her pillow soaked with tears once again. Her eyes were swollen as she climbed out of bed and reached for her phone.She had kept it turned off for the past few days; she was too heartbroken to deal with anything outside of her grief. The moment she powered it on, a message notification chimed—it was the funeral home, urging her to complete the remaining paperwork.Only then did she remember—although Sophie's ashes had already been laid to rest, there were still many formalities left to complete."Maybe this is for the best. Once everything is settled, I can finally leave this place." Aspen thought. "Sophie, Mommy misses you so much."Aspen clutched the pendant hanging from her neck, tears streaming down her face once again.She had tried—really tried—to keep herself fro
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 14
As for Colin, Aspen no longer wanted to think about him. She didn't need to—he didn't matter anymore.Aspen's eyes burned from shedding so many tears.Stepping out of the funeral home, she was met with the blinding sunlight. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she was still a living, breathing person.She tilted her head back to face the sun, staring at it until fresh tears slipped down her cheeks."Sophie, Mommy misses you so much. Sophie… my Sophie…"Clutching the pendant that held Sophie's ashes tightly against her chest, she collapsed onto the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.No matter how many times she told herself that Sophie would have wanted her to be happy, she couldn't bear it. She simply wasn't that strong.She cried until she was drained, barely managing to push herself up from the ground. She then dragged herself toward her childhood home, moving like a lifeless shell.The tiny, 650-square-foot apartment was the only thing her parents had left her bef
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 15
At this moment, Aspen felt utterly repulsed by the man standing outside. Even taking one more glance at Colin felt like an insult to Sophie.Seizing the moment while he remained silent, she swung open the door and stepped inside. To express the frustration burning inside her, she even slammed the door shut with force.As soon as she turned around, her eyes landed on a black-and-white photograph resting on the coffee table.In the photograph, Sophie was smiling brightly, her eyes curved in joy.It had been taken on Children's Day, back when Sophie had performed at her preschool and won an award. She had been very happy that day, so her smile had been more radiant than ever.Aspen had deliberately chosen this photo—she wanted to remember Sophie just like this, forever joyful and full of life."Sophie…" Aspen slid down against the door, covering her mouth with both hands as tears streamed down her face.Colin's voice came through the door. "Aspen, I don't care what kind of tricks y
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 16
"What did you just say?"Colin's expression darkened. He hadn't seen Sophie for days. The last time he had gone to look for Aspen, Sophie had been nowhere to be found either.Thinking back to that call from the funeral home, an unexplainable sense of unease crept into his chest. He knew this was one of Aspen's tricks, yet he still felt a flicker of panic."Colin, don't worry too much. Ms. Nicholls is just acting out in anger. She wouldn't actually hurt Sophie."It's just… where would she take her? Does she have any other family members?" Gwyneth stepped forward, gently patting his chest as she spoke in a soft, soothing voice.Family members?Colin's thoughts immediately turned to Joseph—and that canceled check.That man was a gambling addict who would do anything for money. If Sophie was truly in his hands, then she was in danger."To the airport. Now." Colin shoved Gwyneth aside and strode toward the door.No matter what, Sophie was a Fuller and his daughter. He would never a
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 17
"Colin, what… what are you doing?"Gwyneth came running over and quickly stepped between them, blocking Colin from moving forward. She looked at him with a hint of reproach."No matter what, Ms. Nicholls is still a woman. How could you treat her like this?"She turned and bent down, reaching out to help Aspen up from the ground.Sophie's only wish before she had died had been to have Colin stay with her for just a few days. But Gwyneth had monopolized Colin's time instead. Even on the night Sophie had been in the hospital, Gwyneth had pulled Colin away to celebrate their anniversary.Every time Aspen saw Gwyneth, she was reminded of Sophie's sorrow and pain. She was reminded of the night Sophie had died and how 600 thousand dollars' worth of fireworks had lit up the sky just for Gwyneth when that money could have saved Sophie's life!"Don't touch me! You're disgusting!"Aspen flung Gwyneth's hand away and forced herself to her feet, using every ounce of strength she had left.
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 18
No matter what, Colin knew he would never allow Sophie to continue living with a woman like Aspen."Sophie is dead! She died while you were whispering sweet nothings to this woman and lit up the entire city with fireworks for her! Our Sophie—your daughter—died because there was no money for her surgery! She's gone! She's dead!"Aspen struggled violently as tears streamed down her face. Every word was filled with accusation, despair, and the helpless rage of a mother.With all her strength, she wrenched herself free from Colin's grip and dropped to her knees, desperately trying to pick up the photograph on the ground. Shards of glass pierced her palms, and blood dripped onto the floor, but she didn't care.She wiped her bleeding hands on her clothes without a second thought and carefully cradled the crumpled photograph, brushing away the dirt with trembling fingers."You…" Colin's heart sank in an instant. A deep, unsettling feeling crept over him, as if something inside him had co
Bab terbaru
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 100
As soon as Gwyneth stepped out of the car, she leaned heavily into Colin, making sure everyone could see how close they were. Colin wrapped his arm around her waist, guiding her toward the entrance. There, they ran into Aspen, who was just about to step inside. When he met Aspen's knowing, half-smiling gaze, he felt a sharp pang of discomfort, as if his hand holding Gwyneth's suddenly burned."Ms. Nicholls, please don't be mad. I've never been to an event like this before, so I begged Colin to bring me," Gwyneth said, her voice trembling. "I was so bored in the hospital, and I just wanted to get out for a bit. I-I didn't know you'd be here." Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke.In the past, Aspen would have made a scene, but now she simply smiled faintly and replied, "Ms. Sanders, you've had a tough time recovering in the hospital. Since you're here, make sure to enjoy yourself. Colin, take good care of her. If she sees anything she likes, make sure to buy it for her." H
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 99
What was supposed to be an urgent matter suddenly didn't feel so urgent to Colin. Puzzled, he stood there, glancing at Aspen and wondering why she wasn't making a scene like she used to. Sensing his confusion, Aspen looked back at him with the same questioning expression before finally waving him off. "Take your time. Don't let me keep you.""Wait for me," Colin said firmly before turning and striding away. Aspen watched him go, letting out a scoff of disdain. Then, she turned to Riley, who was still standing there, and snapped, "What are you staring at? Get the car ready. We can't be late.""But Mr. Fuller told you to wait for him," Riley replied, clearly confused. When had Aspen become so decisive?Aspen gave him a look that was both amused and exasperated. "You've worked for him for years, and you still don't know him? Do you really think he's coming back?" It wasn't like this had never happened before. The only difference was that back then, the empty promises had been mad
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 98
Facing the cameras, Aspen carried herself with confidence and grace, showing no sign of embarrassment despite the personal nature of the questions. It was as if none of this had anything to do with her. Colin had always wanted to see this composed and professional side of her. Yet, when he met her cold, emotionless gaze, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of irritation. He had hated how she focused all her attention on him in the past, but now that she seemed completely indifferent, he found it even harder to accept. "Mrs. Fuller, what exactly is the relationship between Ms. Sanders and Mr. Fuller?" a reporter asked."Ms. Sanders is just Ms. Sanders, and I am Mrs. Fuller. Colin is right here beside me—isn't that answer enough?" Aspen replied with a soft smile. She took Colin's hand, interlacing their fingers in front of the cameras and proudly displaying their wedding rings. In reality, Aspen's original ring had been discarded long ago, and the one she wore now was a ch
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 97
It was exactly what Aspen wanted. There was no way Gwyneth could just move on and live a peaceful life now—not after what she had done to them. She had made their lives a living hell, so it was only fair for her to finally experience what it felt like to lose sleep over it.When the reporters bombarded her with questions, Aspen handled it with grace and poise, earning plenty of praise. She took this opportunity not only to officially acknowledge her identity but also to send a clear message—she was exceptional. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and she was determined to make sure the whole world knew her name—she was Aspen Nicholls, not some pathetic caged canary or Mrs. Fuller.Watching her effortlessly take control of the situation, Colin found himself seeing her in a new light. He had always assumed she was just a woman who only cared about grocery store prices, but clearly, he had underestimated her.It almost felt like Aspen was a completely different person. The old As
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 96
"Is that so? This is the same gown a top international model just wore on the runway. How is it tasteless? Some people just can't let go of outdated ideas," Aspen shot back, rolling her eyes. It was the first time she had ever pushed back against Colin's criticism. In the past, no matter how harshly he judged her, she would stay silent, even questioning herself. But now, she knew better. She hadn't done anything wrong—it was Colin who was the problem.Even Howard had praised her look, but Colin, as usual, had nothing positive to say. His lack of taste and constant negativity were exhausting.Colin hadn't expected that his single comment would spark such a sharp response. His eyebrows furrowed as he glared at her. "Aspen, is this your new strategy? Are you trying to get my attention by acting out? Pathetic.""And yet, who exactly is the one obsessed with this?? Are we going or not?" Aspen snapped, losing patience. If she hadn't spent so much time perfecting her look, she might ha
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 95
With just a light touch of makeup, Aspen's features became even more refined and striking. Howard admired his work with deep satisfaction.Stylists like him prided themselves on their skills, but the truth was that working with a naturally beautiful canvas was far more enjoyable than doing a full transformation. Enhancing beauty was far easier than creating it from scratch, and the results were always breathtaking.The best makeup wasn't the kind that looked obvious. It was the kind that made people wonder if any had been applied at all.Aspen stared at her reflection in the mirror, finding the whole situation incredibly ironic. She used to love wearing bold, eye-catching colors like this, but after marrying Colin, she had gradually abandoned her own tastes, simply because he found them tacky.Over time, she had tried to match his so-called refined aesthetic, wearing muted, outdated tones to please him. Looking at herself now, she couldn't believe how far she had strayed from who
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 94
Standing by the door, Aspen listened to Gwyneth's tortured screams from inside the room. The sound sent a rush of satisfaction through her, but even that didn't feel like enough. Colin deserved to experience this kind of suffering too.When Aspen returned to her own hospital room, she found four stylists already waiting for her. They all stood respectfully, their postures formal.The lead stylist stepped forward with a polished smile. "Mrs. Fuller, I'm Howard Lewis. I'm here to do your styling for today."Then, he gestured toward the collections behind him, adding, "These are the latest designer gowns and accessories—you're free to choose anything you like."The dresses were all high-end couture, and the jewelry was nothing short of exquisite—each piece more extravagant than the last.One glance at the collection told Aspen that today's press conference and evening gala were of great significance. Otherwise, Colin wouldn't have invested this much. At his core, he was nothing more
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 93
After Colin left, Aspen grabbed the bouquet of hyacinths from the table and threw it into the trash, feeling a wave of disgust. She wasn't done, though. If there was one thing she excelled at, it was making people just as miserable as she felt. Aspen immediately headed upstairs to Gwyneth's room. Since Aren had already arranged everyone around Gwyneth, Aspen had no trouble making her way to Gwyneth's room. She walked in, her arms crossed, and sat down in a chair, smirking at Gwyneth. "So, this is what it's like to be Colin's true love? Seems exhausting."Gwyneth's face twisted with rage the moment she saw Aspen. Her voice was filled with venom as she screamed, "You bitch! You scheming, evil bitch!"Aspen would have stayed silent in the past, enduring the insults without a word. Then again, she was no longer that Aspen anymore. She strode forward and slapped Gwyneth across the face, hissing, "Who's the real bitch here? You knew he had a wife and a child, yet you still threw yo
Kicking Him to the Curb Chapter 92
Hearing Aspen's words, Aren quietly withdrew his hand and gave her a gentle smile. "Alright, I'll wait for you," he said softly, his voice warm and reassuring.This was the difference between Aren and Colin. Colin only cared about himself and never considered others. However, Aren chose to respect Aspen and give her space. Watching him, Aspen felt her resolve waver, and her heart stirred with emotions she had tried to suppress. To force herself to stay rational, she said something she didn't truly mean. "Aren, you should go. I can handle the rest on my own."Aren didn't push back. He simply nodded, gently brushing her cheek with his hand before standing up and walking out. As she watched his retreating figure, Aspen hugged herself tightly, taking a deep breath. Tears silently rolled down her cheeks....The next morning, Colin arrived with another bouquet of hyacinths. His face lit up with a warm smile. "How are you feeling today?"He was so gentle, acting as though Aspen was
