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Chapter 5
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When It All Fell Apart Chapter 6
Faced with Ashton’s aggressive questioning, I was beyond the mood to argue. He never believed he had done anything wrong.“A divorce paper can be printed a hundred times in a minute. Avoiding this won’t help.” In a fit of anger, he rose from his chair with such force that it crashed to the ground. Then, like a restless dog, he paced back and forth trying to calm himself down.“Honey, if this really bothers you, I can write a guarantee or a will, promising I won’t acknowledge Ruby’s child or let them inherit any of my assets. That should make you feel better about that, right?”I sighed deeply. Why could he not understand that while money and assets could be explicitly defined in writing, feelings could not simply be dismissed like that?How would it feel to watch a child grow up, seeing their likeness to him? After all, blood was thicker than water. How could he think it would not affect me?If I could still trust him, I would truly be the biggest fool in the world.“Ashton, I
When It All Fell Apart Chapter 7
Honestly, I had no idea about any of that. Thinking back, it made sense that Will, being so young, must come from a well-off family to live alone in a big house and have an apartment while in college. Still, I never connected the dots that he was the son of the company’s chairman.Just as I was lost in thought, Will called me into his office. That snapped me back to reality, reminding me I had something important to report.Will’s family business specialized in trading high-end antiques and treasures, but he had also branched out into modern art. While the transactions in that new area were not as lucrative as those in the high-end market, he managed to carve out a niche and had done quite well.Coincidentally, several of Ruby’s paintings were up for auction in that new category, with prices hovering around the hundred-thousand mark. However, I discovered a serious issue: her work had plagiarized and combined the pieces from several lesser-known artists.That had previously gone un
When It All Fell Apart Chapter 8
As I thought about it, it became clear that Ashton was downstairs at the office again, putting on that dramatic act of his when he saw Ruby. He must have told the receptionist that he was my husband, which was why he was allowed inside. Ruby seemed just as shocked to see him.After her surprise faded, anger took over as she repeated to Ashton how I had bullied her. “Clara has always been jealous of how nice you are to me! She’s just looking for a chance to get back at me!”With all the curious eyes around us, Ashton looked a little embarrassed. “What are you talking about? Clara isn’t like that! Besides, can’t we just see things as they are instead of taking a mere employee's word for it?”Ruby stared at him in shock, as if she was seeing Ashton for the first time. “Are you actually defending her? You don’t believe me?”I crossed my arms and watched the two of them argue, feeling a little surprised myself. Unlike before, Ashton was not blindly taking Ruby's side. If it were in
When It All Fell Apart Chapter 9
After Ashton and Ruby were kicked out of the company by Will's security, they went quiet for several months. I was originally surprised by how quiet those two had been and not stirring up any trouble. I had even prepared myself for a long, drawn-out battle with them until I heard that Ashton’s company was in trouble and he was busy dealing with the mess. Things did not seem to be going well for him, though. One day, Ruby went on a rampage, bombarding me with messages full of insults. She accused me of saying something to Ashton that made him take back the art studio and the house he had gifted her.I did not reply to her. Instead, I immediately took a screenshot of her messages and posted it on social media."Is the independent studio that Ruby keeps bragging about bought by my husband? Instead of wasting time messaging me, maybe Ruby should think about getting Ashton to sign the divorce papers."I had many mutual friends with Ruby, and she was the one who had them add me to sti
When It All Fell Apart Chapter 10
Watching the car speed away, the weight on my chest seemed to lift all at once. Maybe it was the relief of finally getting away from that toxic group of people, and it felt like the best birthday gift I could have ever received.As expected, Ruby gave birth prematurely to a son. Thankfully, the baby was healthy and had not been affected too much by everything.Ashton, too, finally agreed to sign the divorce papers. As I stepped out of the courthouse, he called out to me, his face filled with frustration.“Clara, were you already cheating on me with Will? Is that why you’re so determined to force me into this divorce?”I told him that although I had known about the new neighbor who had moved in, it was not until the day I went to the hospital with signs of a miscarriage that I had actually spoken to Will. I stood tall and firm, confident in my truth. Even if the king himself had asked, my answer would have remained the same.“And you, Ashton? Can you really say that your relation
When It All Fell Apart Chapter 1
After hanging up the phone, I took a picture of the beautifully prepared dinner and the cake I had baked for our sixth anniversary and sent it to my husband, Ashton Martinez.His reply came back quickly.[Is it your birthday? I’m flying out, so I can’t make it home tonight. Just celebrate on your own.]I chuckled bitterly and tossed the cake into the trash. Whether it was my birthday or our anniversary, it did not matter because Ashton never remembered those things. However, when it came to Ruby Lowe, he had an entire notebook dedicated to her. He had been keeping notes of her life since high school.I glanced at the pregnancy test results on the table and quietly put them away. I had planned to surprise Ashton with them over dinner tonight, but now, it seemed pointless.We had been married for six years without any kids. I had gone through three rounds of IVF, each one more painful than the last, and they all failed. I had almost given up hope this time when, to my shock, I fou
When It All Fell Apart Chapter 2
As I was told I needed to be hospitalized for a few days to stabilize my condition, Will Young, my neighbor who had driven me to the hospital, was incredibly helpful, running back and forth to take care of all the paperwork.“Clara, don’t you want to give your husband a call?” Will asked.My hand paused mid-sip.“There’s no need. I’m planning to file for divorce.”Will let out a surprised “Oh,” his expression momentarily awkward.Feeling bad for bringing it up, I said, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have brought that up with you.”Will simply gave me a bright, reassuring smile and waved it off. “Don’t worry about it.”His reaction made me think about Ashton. It had been a long time since Ashton treated me kindly. Whenever we talked, he either seemed impatient or gave me an irritated glare. It felt like every time I tried to say anything, he acted like I was a bother, questioning or doubting him.Just then, the buzz of my phone pulled me from my thoughts. It was a message from Ashton, an
When It All Fell Apart Chapter 3
“Ruby's hosting a party tonight to celebrate her pregnancy.”Before I could refuse, Ashton cut off any chance I had to say no."She's been thinking about you a lot. She wants you to come and share in her happiness. Don’t be ungrateful!"I simply sneered and agreed. Anyway, it did not matter to me anymore. My heart was dead. I had contacted a divorce lawyer, and nothing Ruby did could hurt me now.After we arrived, Ruby showed up fashionably late, perfectly dolled up, while I looked like a mess, having spent days in the hospital and not had a chance to clean up. In contrast, Ruby looked like a blooming flower, perfectly put together.Everyone around her was fawning over her, showering her with compliments."Our beautiful artist Ruby is always so forward-thinking, turning down all those suitors just to become a single mom on her own terms.""Well, Ruby’s rich and independent. She can raise a kid by herself! She’s unlike those stay-at-home wives who ask their husbands for money."
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