Chapter 10
699words
He called frantically and camped outside my office.
Face twisted with hurt, he slammed the photo on my desk.
"How long are you going to punish me, Ashley?!"
I glanced at the photo, raised an eyebrow, and smiled.
"They got my good side."
I looked at him coolly.
"I'm not punishing you, Lane."
"I just don't love you anymore."
"You can divorce me anytime you want."
"But if you don't want a divorce, stop bothering me with these petty jealousies."
His chest heaved as if gathering courage to speak.
"Ashley, can we go home tonight and talk—"
Before he could finish, I answered my phone, making a "shh" gesture.
My voice softened instantly.
"If anyone else invited me to a premiere, I'd be too busy, but since it's your first film investment, Mr. Parker, I'll make an exception."
"Perfect. I'll see you tonight."
I hung up and took my coat from my assistant, ignoring Lane completely. He grabbed my arm desperately.
"Ashley! We've known each other since we were eighteen..."
I clicked my tongue and pulled away, voice sharp.
"Stop acting like a jealous husband, Lane."
"How many successful women don't have male friends? If you want to keep living here, behave yourself!"
That night, security footage showed Lane pacing all night, chain-smoking and making endless calls. He wanted to rebuild, but his reputation was in tatters.
By dawn, all he had to show was an ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts.
Unlike him, I wouldn't give him any chance to recover.
He rarely sought me out anymore but still refused to divorce.
"I'm the baby's father, Ashley! You can't let my child be born fatherless!"
The day I went into labor, I'd just finished an international business meeting. After everyone left, I called Gemma.
"Sis, my water just broke."
Gemma immediately rushed me to her private hospital. I'd been on the delivery table twice before, each time ending in death. My hand gripped Gemma's tightly as she accompanied me into the delivery room.
"Sis, if something goes wrong..."
She cut me off.
"Nothing will go wrong with me here, Ashley!"
"That bastard won't get anywhere near you or the baby!"
I pushed with everything I had while Lane searched for me frantically, pacing hospital corridors like a madman.
"That's my child too! Why can't I see them?!"
He even called the police but learned the truth from them:
"Mr. Silver, according to Ms. Joseph's medical records, she underwent IVF. The child isn't genetically yours..."
I wanted a child, but not Lane's child.
Our toxic history shouldn't poison another generation.
On my daughter's one-month celebration, I received divorce papers signed by Lane.
He didn't ask for anything—though of course, he had nothing left.
Gemma said Lane had left town. No one knew where he'd gone.
"He left a letter for you."
Looking at the thick envelope while holding my baby, I decided it was too contaminated to touch. I asked Gemma to throw it directly in the trash.
Two knocks at the door revealed Randy Parker standing there with flowers.
In private, Gemma asked me,
"Getting married again?"
I gave no definite answer.
"At least he treats me well. He's dating with marriage in mind and has already transferred 5% of his shares to me. Marrying him could save me decades of struggle."
"The benefits outweigh the costs."
Three years later, I married Randy Parker.
Gemma was my maid of honor, my daughter the flower girl. The wedding was spectacular.
In our social circle, no one mentioned my disgraceful past anymore. They only said that CEO Joseph was a remarkable woman, truly worthy of Mr. Parker.
From the day I sacrificed my dignity, I knew I would eventually rise to the top and build a glory that would erase all the darkness.
As for Lane Silver, I never heard from him again.
But I didn't care.
My path forward was bright and brilliant. The dust of my past could scatter in the wind.
