8: Divorce.
I stepped out of Ace s office, and made my way toward the elevator, I caught sight of her again. Elena. She was standing near the receptionist‘ s desk, chatting effortlessly and laughing from time to time.
The moment her gaze landed on me, her expression became more reserved.
“Ashley, are you done chatting with Ace? Are you now going to work at the new location?” She said, walking towards me.
When she got closer she stood in front of me, blocking my path.
“I resigned.” I said, smiling when her face twitched. “Well, please let me pass now since I have somewhere to be.” I
said, gesturing for her to move out of the
way.
She hesitated, “I just want to clear the air. Whatever you think is happening between Ace and me–it’s not what it looks like.
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8: Divorce.
We’re now just ordinary friends. Both of us have moved on. He married you, and I too have a boyfriend. Please, don’t quarrel
because of me.
Her eyes were fixed on me while she grabbed my hands, not letting me leave.
“Your relationship with him doesn‘ t matter,” I said finally, my voice calm as I shook my hand away from her. “You can be with your boyfriend or Ace, whoever you want. It’s none of my concern anymore.” I added as I walked out on her.
But then I stopped, and turned back to her as she was still stunned by my words.
“Don’t worry, you can keep my soon–to–be ex–husband.”
I walked to the elevator, all tired when some whispers entered my eyes. Leaning, I pretended not to notice but I couldn’t help but listen to it.
“Elena‘ s gorgeous, isn’t she? And the CEO? They’re so close. It’s obvious
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8: Divorce.
something’s going on.”
“I heard he hired her personally last month during the screening process. Didn’t even give the other candidates at chance.”
“Really? That’s fast. I mean, look at her, though. Who could blame him?”
“I mean, he doesn‘ t talk about his personal life, but they‘ ve been spotted. together a lot lately.”
“Could they be dating?”
“It wouldn’t be surprising. They look good together.”
“It’s not impossible. I heard they knew each other.”
My lips parted. Ace had hired her since that time? A month ago. So, I was kept in the dark for a month. Or, it could be more?
How long had I been living in the dark, oblivious to what was happening right under my nose?
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I felt like a fool no, I was a fool. For staying, for trying, for believing in something that had clearly ended long before I was ready to admit it.
As the elevator descended, I leaned against the wall, closing my eyes to hold back. tears. It didn’t matter anymore. I had resigned. The divorce papers were drafted. I was finally leaving.
I had spent years loving a man who had never cared for me, and I had been too blind to see it. This was all going to be over.
I had to go see Ace, and handle it asap.
*****
From the office, I went directly to Ace‘ s home. I didn’t want to waste a single time. I just needed him to sign the papers, and we were done.
I left a message to Asher as well since, I would be late, and I didn’t want him to wait for me
4/9
8: Divorce.
However, minutes passed since the work hour was over. And, then hours passed.
I didn’t realize when I dozed off, but the sound of the front door unlocking jolted me awake. My eyes fluttered open, and I saw Ace stepping in, loosening his tie.
His expression was unreadable, but I noticed a faint hint of surprise when he
saw me.
“So, you came back,” he said, chuckling. “I knew you would come back immediately. After all, where would you go?” He added, smirking.
I pushed myself up from the couch, rubbing my eyes. “You‘ re late.”
Ace shrugged, tossing his keys onto the table as he casually said, “I was driving Elena home.”
The casualness of his tone made my stomach drop. I stared at him, my mind. racing as his words sunk in. He drove her
home?
5/9
8: Divorce.
In the years we had been together, Ace had never driven me home, always cautious about exposing our relationship. It was always me calling for a cab, me finding my way alone. But on Elena’s first day of work, he had driven her home.
The realization hit me hard as I swallowed hard. I put my hands in my bag as I brought the divorce papers from my bag.
“I was leaving if you were going to be a minute late. I need you to sign these,” I said, handing them over.
Ace looked at the papers, his brows furrowed in confusion before anger
replaced it. “What is this, Ashley? Don‘ t be so dramatic.”
I laughed bitterly, shaking my head.
“Dramatic?” I met his gaze, my voice trembling with emotion. “Tell me something, Ace. Did you ever love me?”
His lips parted, but there was no response. But his silence spoke louder than any
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8: Divorce.
words could have.
What could I have expected from him?
“And don’t you still love Elena?” I pressed, my chest tightening.
I let out a hollow laugh, “You don’t have to answer, I already know it. Don’t give me an excuse. You took me as her substitute, didn’t you?” my voice trembled while I tried my best to hold my tears back.
I thrust the papers into his hands. “Sign them. We shouldn’t be together. After this, you can chase her how you always wanted
to.”
He clenched the papers in his hands, his expression a mix of frustration and anger.
“Ashley, stop this nonsense-
“Or what?” I cut him off. “You‘ 11 shred them like last time? Go ahead. I printed more copies. And, if you shred all, don’t
worry, my lawyer is just going to send them until you sign.”
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8: Divorce.
words could have.
What could I have expected from him?
“And don’t you still love Elena?” I pressed, my chest tightening.
I let out a hollow laugh, “You don’t have to answer, I already know it. Don’t give me an excuse. You took me as her substitute, didn’t you?” my voice trembled while I tried my best to hold my tears back.
I thrust the papers into his hands. “Sign them. We shouldn’t be together. After this, you can chase her how you always wanted to.”
He clenched the papers in his hands, his expression a mix of frustration and anger.
“Ashley, stop this nonsense-”
“Or what?” I cut him off. “You‘ 11 shred them like last time? Go ahead. I printed more copies. And, if you shred all, don’t
worry, my lawyer is just going to send them. until you sign.”
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8: Divorce.
“ASHLEY.”
I grabbed my purse, ignoring the way his voice wavered when he called after me.
“Ashley, stop!”
But I didn’t stop. I had no courage to look at him in the face, and pushed the door open.
That’s when I saw it – Asher‘ s car parked just in front.
My heart suddenly skipped a beat as Asher stepped out, his sharp gaze flicking
between me and the house while he signed me to get inside.
I froze, but as Ace grabbed my hands, I shook it off and walked to the car.
“What the fuck? Where are you going?”
I didn’t reply, climbed in and leaned back against the seat.
Just immediately a text popped up on my phone.
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8: Divorce
It was Ace, “Whose fucking car is that?”
I frowned, my nose burned as I held back. the tears, and switched my phone off.
Eight years of my love, and the end was like
this.
Asher glanced at me but didn’t waste a single time, and kept silent. This should’ve felt awkward, but the silence between us felt oddly comforting. For the first time in a while, it felt like I wasn’t alone. There was
someone by my side.
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