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1507 Words
I can't believe my ears. What is wrong with Aiden? The fact that he doesn't want me anymore already hurts so much, but now he is trying to act like I never helped him? What is going on?
Hanna smirked by his side. "Honey, that's so sweet of you."
She leaned in and kissed him on the lips. I was dumbfounded. What's going on? Then who sent those files to me? I know I'm not going crazy. I stared at Hanna, and she gave a smug smile.
"You shouldn't be too full of yourself, Ashely. I was the one helping Aiden while you were in jail. You think the company would be the way it is if I wasn't of help to him? Thank goodness you heard it from his lips, so stop acting surprised."
I shook my head in disbelief. "Then who sent those files to me while I was in jail? I did all the planning. I did all that needed to be done, and it was sent to you, Aiden. Why are you acting like you don't know what I'm talking about?"
Aiden scoffed. "You need to stop taking credit for something you didn't do. I never sent any files to you, Ashley. Please stop this nonsense."
"Why are you trying so hard to seem like the hero when you're not?" Mom inserted. "Why can't you leave your sister and her husband alone? Don't be such a hater, please."
I gave Mom a look of disbelief. "Now I'm the bad person? Really?"
"Stop it already. Please leave them alone. Now that you are free from jail, start a new life for yourself," Mom said, acting like she cared. She is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I wish she was never my mother. How can a mother act like this toward her child? How?
"I didn't say anything bad to them, so stop making it look like I'm the bad guy," I said to Mom.
She huffed. "Really now? Do I need to remind you that you are the one who went to jail and got released? What does that mean? You are troublesome."
I shook my head bitterly. Before I could say anything, I felt an arm wrap around my waist. It was Xavier. "My love, I've been waiting for you."
I offered him a small smile. "I was about leaving anyway."
Xavier smirked down at me and said, "Let's go. You don't need to waste all your time on these people."
I nodded and was grateful for this. If he hadn't come, I would have said something I'd regret to Mom.
I could feel my family's eyes on me, especially Aiden's. This was just the beginning. He will pay for using me and dumping me.
We walked closer to where Lilly was waiting. She looked so pissed.
"I sent Xavier to get you because you didn't look comfortable with what your mom was saying," she said.
"Thanks. I'm glad you came to get me because I would have smacked someone's face tonight," I said, and she chuckled. "I would have loved to see that."
"Don't teach her how to be toxic," Xavier warned.
She rolled her eyes. "Like they aren't toxic either?"
"She doesn't need to throw a fist."
"Whatever."
I took a drink from a passing waiter. I downed it in one go. I needed it to calm my nerves. Having this confrontation with my family was a little too hard for me.
"Don't worry about that man, Ashely. I'll always help you whenever you need me."
I nodded. Xavier pulled me into a hug and pecked my cheeks. I felt my cheeks heating up. He had always had a thing for me, but I kept rejecting him. Xavier is the coolest guy I've ever met, but I never liked him the way he wanted. All I see is a friend in him.
"Hey, Xavier!" someone called from behind.
He excused himself to the person. Lilly heaved a sigh. "Now what?"
I shrugged. "It's time I make a business move."
She smirked. "I like the sound of that already."
"Who should we talk to next?"
Lilly turned and whispered, "Look over there. That's Mr. Smith, the owner of Smith Group of Companies. This is your chance to speak to him. He's all alone."
I nodded, and with a lot of encouragement from her, I approached him. I'd rather spend my time building my company than waiting on a man who doesn't want me anymore.
⸻
AIDEN
I was so pissed. Why would that man hold her that way? He called her his woman—how is that possible? Was she cheating while she was in jail too? That woman sure has some nerve. I should have known she was never faithful.
I should have known. Hanna walked into the room holding a glass cup of water. "Here, I brought you some water."
I took it from her with a small smile. I downed the water, and she came to sit right beside me. She gave me a seductive look, then went on to massage my shoulders.
"I need you to feel relaxed tonight. I know it's been too hard on you, especially after seeing that woman," she said with so much disgust.
Sometimes I want to ask why she hates her sister so much. Her twin? Yes, Ashely isn't a good person, but I expected Hanna to be a little more considerate toward her sister, but instead she is not.
"I don't want to talk about it," I said, shutting her up.
She smirked. "Fine then. Let's have a moment to ourselves."
She kissed me before I could say anything. I wasn't in the mood to do anything, so I pushed her back. "But tonight, please. I don't have the energy."
She felt insulted. The look on her face said it all. "Really now? This is what you said the very first night of our marriage. I noticed this attitude of yours started after seeing that b***h. What is wrong with you, Aiden?"
"I'm your wife, for crying out loud. Why can't you have s*x with me? Since we got married, you haven't even touched me," she cried out.
I wasn't ready for this s**t. This isn't how I planned my night. "Please, Hanna, I don't have the strength to argue with you. Please let me be."
She frowned. "You're being unfair to me."
I heaved a sigh. "Okay, fine. I'll make it up to you."
She pouted. "How? You aren't doing things that make me happy."
I scoffed. "I chose you, Hanna. Why can't you see that you mean so much to me?"
She fiddled with her nails. "It's the way you behave since you saw her. It scares me."
I lifted her chin up. "Look at me."
She looked into my eyes.
"Ashley is nothing to me. She is out of my life, and that's how it'll stay. It's you I love now. It's you I married, so you have nothing to worry about."
She blushed. "I like the sound of that."
I leaned over to peck her lips. She got her way by deepening the kiss. In that moment, my phone rang, and that was an escape route for me.
"I need to pick this call."
Hanna nodded and let me go. I went to my study. It was Simon calling.
I sat on my chair. I let out a loud sigh before picking the call. "Hey, man."
"You won't believe what I just heard."
I furrowed my brows. "What is it?"
"Remember the Wright Group of Companies?" he asked, and I nodded, then realized he couldn't see me. "Yes. What happened to it?"
"I was told the boss is now in town. I think this is the best time for you to strike a deal with them. You know how much this means to you."
"Are you being serious right now?" I asked, surprised that the boss was back. For over five years, I was told the boss wasn't around, but now that the boss was back, it was time I took my chances again.
"This is good news, Aiden. Don't let this opportunity go to waste. Please try and reach out to the secretary so you can make an appointment," Simon said.
I nodded. "Thank you so much, Simon. You don't know how grateful I am."
He chuckled. "You know I'll do anything to help you."
"Thanks."
Simon paused for a second, then asked the question I didn't want to hear. "Have you spoken to Ashley again?"
I rolled my eyes. "I don't want to see that woman ever again. She brought nothing but trouble. Hanna is the woman I love now."
He heaved a sigh. "Are you sure about that?"
"Can you stop asking me this question? I don't want to talk about Ashley. Thanks for calling, by the way, and I'm going to call the secretary of Wright Group of Companies."
I ended the call before he could ask more questions.
- Writer
