Chapter 301: The Doltons Unravel
Ashton’s resentment simmered.
Sure, he’d played nice with Madeline earlier–they’d been united against a common enemy–but now?
She’d asked for his help.
Then turned on him before he’d even lifted a finger.
Truth was, Madeline had called the shots in the Dolton family for years.
But he wasn’t some wet behind–the–ears kid anymore.
Why couldn’t he choose who he loved?
The whole “happy family” act had always been a lie.
When push came to shove, loyalty crumbled faster than a cookie in milk.
It left him cold.
Ashton blurted. “Mom, Christine’s the only woman I’ve ever loved,”
“Yeah, she married my friend.”
But I set that up. The guy was dying. Wanted to make his parents happy before he went.”
“Christine agreed to play along.”
Madeline’s eyes bulged like she’d been slapped.
Abigail rushed to rub her back. “Mom, breathel”
“Breathe? Did you hear what he said?”
“Mom, Ash isn’t trying to upset you–he’s just… stupid about love.”
“Weird though… Ash used to be a smart person.”
Madeline wheezed.
“Ash! You expect me to believe this nonsense? You’re lying to force that gold–digger into our family!”
Ashton doubled down.
“Let Christine in, and I’ll handle everything you hate.”
“Gemma? Gone. I’ll be your perfect puppet. Just… let me have this.”
Madeline slammed her fist on the hospital bed.
Abigail chimed in again, oozing fake concern. “Mom, don’t flip your lid–Ashis just blowing off steam! Since when do we keep score in this family? Let Christine in. You’re doing this for Ash–he’ll come around, promise.”
She leaned in, sugary–sweet. “Plus, she’ll wait on you hand and foot! Free live–in help–who says no to that?”
For a heartbeat, Madelined wavered–until the mental image hit: Christine folding her laundry. Brewing her tea. Existing. Her blood pressure spiked like tequila shots at a frat party.
“Over my dead body! Neither that homewrecker nor Gemma set foot in my house!”
“Fine. Got it.”
Ashton stormed out.
Abigail hid a smirk.
Good thing she did her homework.
Ash’s obsession with Christine was a guaranteed train wreck.
With him out of the picture, Madeline’s vulnerability was her golden ticket.
“Mom, chill out,” she soothed, pouring syrup into her tone, “Ash just needs to blow off steam. Family’s family, right? Cut him some slack.” Madeline huffed, “He better figure it out, or I won’t forgive him!”
“You’re just saying that,” Abigail chuckled softly.
“Give it a few days, and you’ll be fine with him again.”
Madeline shook her head.
“This isn’t like before, those little things. This time, he’s crossed a line. I can’t just let him get away with it”
Abigail raised an eyebrow.
“You’re not going to forgive Ash this time?”
“Well, if he gives up on Christine, brings back my grandson, and sorts out Gemma, I might give him a little leeway.”
Senting
15:41)
Chapter 301: The Doltons Unravel
Abigail’s eyes narrowed.
Looks like the fire wasn’t hot enough yet.
Ashton left the hospital.
He’d planned on calling some friends for a drink, but then realized he was in N.L city, and none of them were around.
So, he stumbled into a random bar and drank until he was completely wasted.
The bartender couldn’t watch him any longer and used his phone to call his friend.
Christine arrived quickly, helping him leave the bar.
Gemma, on night duty, entered the hospital room and immediately smelled the strong stench of alcohol.
Her expression darkened as she looked at the bed.
Ashton was lying there, and Christine was sitting beside him, holding the baby.
“Do you realize how this could harm the baby’s health?”
Gemma shot a cold glance at the man on the bed and continued sharply.
“I’ve told you before–taking care of the baby comes first. Haven’t you heard me?”
Christine gently patted the baby.
“Dr. Kelestine, Ashton said he was ready to cut ties with Doltons and promised to stay by our side no matter how tough it gets.”
Christine scoffed.
“Cuold I believe that?”
Truth was, she couldn’t.
For years, she had been like a shadow, hiding in the dark.
Her grandfather had some connection to Doltons, and Madeline had been publicly reprimanded by him.
Madeline had spent a year under house arrest because of it.
The whole situation had been simple. Madeline’s temper had gotten the best of her, and she’d pushed a wealthy young lady into the water.
Her grandfather had just casually mentioned it, but Madeline never forgot.
Back when Ashton and Christine had just started dating, Madeline had seemed happy for them.
But when she asked about Christine’s family, her attitude shifted, and she made it clear she didn’t like Christine.
Madeline began spreading tumors about her.
Christine’s family had already lost most of its power by that time, and they were no match for Madeline.
She had no choice but to endure it.
But the more she endured, the worse Madeline became.
Madeline even went so far as to hatch schemes to make Ashton give up on her.
Thankfully, Christine was clever enough to escape each time.
In the end, Ashton suggested she get married.
At first, she resisted–marrying someone else would be betraying her feelings.
But Ashton promised it would protect her.
And in that time, she had indeed faced countless dangers and plots.
Eventually, she gave in.
Her new husband was sickly.
But even then, he treated her with kindness, always respecting her and never once touching her.
When Ashton visited, he would give them space.
Over time, she began to appreciate him.
Her gratitude for him slowly transformed.
She became distant from Ashton, wanting to live a normal life with her husband.
She even started looking for doctors to try and heal him.
But Ashton, refusing to let go, kept interfering.
And before she knew it, her husband had died.
