Second Chance: I Can See the Future

Chapter 2

Anthony trembled violently, Ashley's every word echoing painfully in his mind. For Emily, his biological daughter whom he had never truly cared for, Ashley had forgiven him time and again, but now she was filled with fear toward him.

"Anthony, do you remember? You once told me you would love me forever and make me the happiest woman in the world. I never asked for much; I just wanted a happy life with you." Ashley's voice wavered, her bloodshot, tear-filled eyes brimming with bitterness and disappointment. "It should be the easiest wish to fulfill, but why is it so hard for you?"

Tears streamed down Ashley's face. Her eyes were swollen, filled with heartbreaking accusations. "I don't care about living a poor life with you. I'm not afraid of the judgment from our relatives and friends. I just want you to treat me and Emily a little better. Is that a difficult request?"

Anthony's heart ached as if it were being ripped apart. Looking at the woman who had endured so much for him, he reached out instinctively to comfort her. But Ashley stepped back, fear in her eyes, as if he might hurt her again at any moment.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." Anthony's voice cracked as his nails dug deep into his palms, blood beginning to seep out. He truly didn't know what else to say.

Ashley wiped her tears and regarded him coldly, her tone heavy with disappointment. "Anthony, your apologies mean nothing to me now. You've apologized too many times, and I've forgiven you over and over again, but what did you do? You hit me harder and harder. I won't believe you again, never!"

Anthony knew she was telling the truth. She had given him countless chances, yet he had crushed them all.

Anthony remembered the first time he hit her; he lost control after a failed business venture and struck Ashley when she was newly pregnant.

At that moment, he cried and begged for her forgiveness. Ashley softened and forgave him, but that offered him the mistaken belief that she would never leave him. So, he hit her harder with each incident.

Each time, Ashley endured the pain silently. She protected her belly when she was pregnant, and after giving birth to Emily, Ashley began to shield Emily with her body. Never once did she take out her anger on Emily; she always cared for Emily. Even during those nights when Anthony was drunk and beat her, she never complained.

Ashley had suggested divorce many times, but Anthony's consistent plead with desperation made her relent and stay by his side until the last time when Eric fought Anthony to protect her. At that moment, she realized that if she didn't leave him, it would lead to tragedy, so she made her decision.

"Let's go." Ashley's voice was calm and resolute as she turned toward the registration office. Her back showed a flicker of hesitation as if she was still wrestling with her feelings. Anthony's heart stirred at the thought, 'Could it be that she still cares for me?'

"Ashley!" Anthony rushed forward and grabbed her arm, his gaze intense. "Give me one more chance! This is the last one! If I mess up again, I'd rather kill myself!"

Ashley's body trembled slightly as she looked down at the bruises on her arm. Those marks were a stark reminder that this man would never change. The last trace of tenderness in her eyes disappeared, replaced by desperate indifference.

"Anthony, you will never change. I won't believe you again." Ashley's voice cut through the air like a cold wind. She had offered him too many chances, and he had let her down repeatedly. Now, all her patience and trust in him had vanished.

"Ashley, I swear, from now on, I won't hit you anymore. I will treat you and Emily well, and I will work hard to earn more money..." Before Anthony could finish his sentence, Ashley turned to leave.

She glanced back at him, her eyes cold and filled with helplessness. "Do I have to die before you're satisfied?" she asked.

Anthony was taken aback; he knew that nothing he said would make a difference. For Ashley, divorce was her only option, her escape from this painful marriage.

Clenching his fists, Anthony thought to himself, 'Since there's no way to change this, then let's start over! Ashley, I will make sure you see my change. I will make up for all the pain you've suffered over the years!'

As Ashley walked out of the courthouse, she looked down at the divorce certificate in her hand, her face showing no sign of relief.

Instead of feeling liberated, she felt as though she had lost something very important. She glanced at Anthony, forcing a faint smile. "I hope you can be a better man. Also, your parents are getting older, and they are not in good health. They can't accept our divorce. If you don't want them to know about it, I can keep it a secret."

Just as they were caught in this awkward farewell, a coarse voice broke their awkward parting. "Stop with the drama! Anthony, when are you going to pay me back?"

"I'm talking to you, Anthony! Are you f*****g deaf? Come on, You must give me the money today!" A tall man pushed through the crowd, wearing tattered jeans and a white tank top, a silver skull necklace hanging around his neck, giving him a menacing look.

Anthony recognized him immediately; it was Rocky, a notorious violent debt collector who worked for Kevin at Anderson Finance. Anthony had been brutally beaten by him because of the delay in repaying the huge debts.

Sensing trouble, Anthony stepped before Ashley and whispered urgently, "Rocky, give me a few more days. I will pay you back. Let my wife leave first, and we can talk about this alone."

Rocky scoffed, ignoring Anthony's plea. He grabbed Anthony by the collar and slammed him to the ground. "No one is leaving today. Anthony, you've been avoiding me for a month. If it weren't for Mr. Anderson's mercy, do you think you'd still be alive?"

Anthony gritted his teeth against the pain, getting back up to stand protectively before Ashley, pleading softly, "Rocky, I will pay you back, but Ashley doesn't know anything. Please let her go."

"Sh*t! Do you have any idea that the 820 thousand dollars you owe has been overdue for a month?" Rocky's gaze flicked to Ashley behind Anthony, a wicked smile spreading across his face. "If you can't pay me today, let your wife cover it. She's so pretty; if she works a few nights at a strip club, the debt will be cleared soon, right?"

With that, Rocky signaled to a couple of his lackeys to grab Ashley.

"Let go of me!" Ashley screamed as she struggled desperately.

Anthony's anger flared as he charged forward, shoved the lackeys away from Ashley, and shouted, "Don't touch her!"