Ashley’s heart thumped nonstop in her chest even when she was trying so hard to balance her emotions.
She clasped her hands together for a quick prayer but she was interrupted by the familiar footsteps from behind.Tracing the family doctor to his seat but her attention was on the test result in his hand all through.“Mrs.McCall…” The doctor said and paused.Ashley’s blood ran cold watching the doctor’s neutral face, her breath wavered with the thought of getting ahead of herself. She thought that her husband’s absence from home for a long time must have driven her to imagination.“Congratulations Mrs.McCall, you’re two weeks pregnant,” the doctor said with a motivating smile as he handed over the test result on the table.A very sweet feeling exploded in her chest followed by a sigh of relief, excitement spreading to every part of her body“Husband would be so proud of me!” she muttered and hurried to her feet.“Please do not share this with anyone, I want to be the one to announce this good news” She informed the doctor who responded with a bright smile.“Easy steps Mrs.McCall,” The concerned doctor said.“Thank you” Cheerful Ashley commented loudly waving the text result behind her.On getting to the parking lot, She smiled at the driver who had a confused look at the sudden change of her mood.She settled down the seat and lowered the glass for intake of the fresh air.What a perfect news to make the night! Ashley’s husband has been so busy with work lately that he barely comes home. From one business trip to another and finally, he was thoughtful enough to make their first wedding anniversary special by abandoning all his work and trips for her.“What more can I ask for?” She giggled, rubbing her belly gently. She now has a little life growing in there.Ashley’s marriage was a dream come true for her and she’s promised never to fuck it up by being useless to the family.Her husband was her boss at work and a crush of many years.She was happy to know that he had liked her all along too and he didn’t care about her background.When everyone said to him back then not to marry a nobody like Ashley because she was adopted, he ignored them all for love.Ashley had always thought that it was okay to settle for less considering how she was treated by her own family but Rhett became her haven and since then her family refused to support her.They went as far as asking her to earn her keep while providing steadily for the stepsister, the real one.But in the house of a kind lover, she found hope.“Ma’am, is everything okay?” The driver’s voice came in and their eyes met immediately from the mirror.“Is this how pregnancy works?” She mumbled and turned away.The news of the baby, barely some minutes old is already making her feel so overwhelmed.With a soft sigh, she wiped the tears clinging to her lashes.Even though Ashley will forever remain the adopted daughter of the Roland family, her husband loves her to death.…….Ashley wasted no time in preparing for dinner the moment she got home. As the Madame of the Great McCall household, she learned a lot about how things should be done. Especially house chores since she was forced to stop working after the wedding.On the long golden table lies different delicacies of food prepared with love. A satisfied smile lit up her face watching the maids decorate the mansion with rose petals.With romantic music playing on the low, it’s all looking perfect.“More surprise, more love” she uttered, eyes twinkling in overwhelming anticipation of her husband’s reaction.Ashley picked up the phone to check for her husband’s messages but turns out that she was left on read with no reply.A worried sigh escaped her lips and she decided to call his number but there was no answer.“But his flight should have landed by now” she wondered to herself.Ashley ended up falling asleep while waiting then with a loud gasp, she woke up from the nightmare she just had.Tired, she stood up and hurried downstairs to ask him but was told that he hadn’t come back home.“He’s working so hard for my sake 'cause I have nothing to contribute to the family… ” she says with guilt and picks up the phone again.Beep! Beep!The line got disconnected from the other end twice.“This is unusual, Rhett would never get me worried”At that point, she was already thinking in a bad way but then her phone vibrated and a life-changing message popped up on the screen.“Since you don’t know how to keep your man, he is here to be loved by me”It was as if she was struck by thunder… her heart ceased beating for a slight second and her vision became blurry with the heat arising from inside. Her phone fell.Trembling and confused. Another beep from the phone made her pick it up again and this time, an address came up on the screen.With pursed lips, she approached the phone with the screen mirroring her ghostly face.The address shows the Rolands’ family vacation home and she wondered why her husband would be there.But then she saw that the number belonged to her stepsister.“No…” She uttered before storming out of the house.The Vacation House“Rhett! Are you in there?” Like a mad woman, Ashley called out for her husband as she pushed open the large door of the family vacation home.She hadn’t even moved a step when the most horrific scene came into sight.Her step-sister in her husband’s warm embrace.“Husband!” She yelled, voice cracking with uncertainty as salty tears stung her face ready to drop any minute.But to her utmost surprise, Rhett McCall, her beloved husband only turned back casually and flashed her a disgusting look.“You came right on time,” Rhett said simply, his hands resting firmly on Rachel’s waist and she in turn linked her arm around him tightly. An evil smirk playing on her lips.“What’s going on here?” Ashley questioned, puzzled.“Dear sister is blind I guess. I’m the hotshot don’t you know? He wants me now and not you” Rachel said boldly, eyes twinkling with mischief.“I want a divorce, Ashley, I can’t do this with you anymore. Grandfather and everyone prefers Rachel over you” he said to her like he was reading a poem.“What? But we’ve promised to try our best so why are you changing your mind?” She cried out hoping to change his mind for whatever reason he might have.Rachel threw some papers on the center table to divert her attention “We have the papers ready, sign them and let me know how much you’ll be needing”Rachel has always been up to no good but when she went low-key in the past few months, Ashley have gotten too relaxed but now she’s scared to the brim because Rachel is the type to mean everything she does.The floor suddenly felt cold underneath her feet, she had lost her shoes on the way.“How dare you, Rachel!” Ashley yelled in pain.“How dare a lowly adopted street cat yell at me? You’re getting exactly what you deserve. Who do you think you are to compete for love with me? You forced him to marry you anyway so just disappear and never come back!”“Honey, let’s go home okay? I need to tell you something” Ashley hurried forward to grab Rhett’s hand but he stepped back and walked away instead.His steps came to a standstill, and her breaths ceased. Rhett tilted his head over his shoulder “You can’t return home unless you sign the papers”She blanched. Ashley fell butt flat to the ground, watching her husband’s figure becoming distant. Tears blurred her vision almost immediately.“You can’t do this to me! We promised to love each other for better and worse” Tears filled her eyes as she looked on.“The worst is not to cheat on me Ashley, you’re a shame to both families” He spoke and dropped a picture on the floor for her to see.Ashley couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw the ugly pictures scattered on the floor.The pictures are clear evidence that Rachel had set her up.Ashley had rushed to a hotel after receiving a call from Rachel for help, she was full of hope that she finally considered her family enough to ask for help, only to be trapped in a room full of men who tried to rape her.With guilt, Ashley crawled to her husband’s feet but he snatched himself away.“You can die for all I care”Hearing that, her whole world came crumbling down. They’ve known each other for 6 years but he was quick to wish her death… along with his baby.Ashley didn’t dare to return home after what happened so she went to the family house hoping to find justice and report Rachel.With the divorce papers tightly squeezed in hand, she walked into the house and immediately felt chills all over… Looking chaotic and miserable, she proceeded into the house.She saw her first, her foster mother— she clenched her fists hoping to say something but she failed. “Mother, I’ve been cheated by Rachel. She seduced my husband” Finally finding the right words, she reported naively.Hoping to get more attention, she tried to explain further when Rachel bumped into her from behind and she stumbled.Ashley was surprised to see Rachel’s undisguised mockery as she walked past to stand beside their Mother who then burst into a peal of laughter as she muttered words into her ears.Her eyes welled up with tears watching the man of the house, her father remain seated with a calm gait as he continued sipping his green tea.“Father please say something” She plea
5 years later“Men are scum! Anywhere you plan to destroy one, don’t forget to invite me” Ashley Gu commented with a devilish smile, ending her interview with a fierce look.A brief silence followed after her comment but then a cracked laughter soon broke the silence in the room making her screw her brows in mild annoyance.“Dear viewers, and that’s your final piece of advice from the successful boss lady.” The host said with a broad smile and continued.“We’ve heard the news of how funny you are and you just don’t disappoint ma’am” The host appraised jokingly but her smile was wiped off in sudden horror when she met with Ashley’s murderous gaze.That look of fear is all courtesy of the rumor about her being feisty and strict.“Cut! Thank you so much for working hard” Another of the team members said loudly to save his colleague and the room became heavy with clapping. Ashley unlinked her bossy sitting posture and left the setup immediately.She was welcomed by her assistant who rushe
In a cold hospital room lies a frail-looking old man, the old man of the McCall household on his sick bed. He’s been battling with a hereditary illness for years and lasting till now has been nothing but a miracle.Rhett McCall knows it’s been a miracle for his grandfather to last this long but he didn’t want to hope for much regarding his case because it doesn’t scratch out the fact that he might end up like that sooner or later.Rhett cherishes his grandfather so much and would do anything to make him happy but it’s quite unfortunate that he was helpless in the face of this illness, even his wealth was put to shame.He had rushed to the hospital last night after receiving a call that his grandfather had a seizure after his second surgery.He was so worried about spending the night at the hospital.Finally, he saw his Grandfather open his eyes.“Did you spend the night here again?” He asked, his frail voice coming out almost as a whisper.His excitement was short-lived as he began to
Arriving at one of the biggest resorts in the country which is owned by the Gu Dynasty, Ashley’s car came to a stop and she got down carefully with a smile on her face. She grabbed her son’s hand to help him out of the car.“Thank you Mommy” he giggled with glistening eyes.The five-year-old boy was so cute and lovable and as much as Ashley tried so hard to look past the familiar set of jade eyes and pointy nose that reminded her of his father, reality wouldn’t stop slapping her back with it. His memories have tormented her for years but the love she has for her son outgrew the pain. Except that, she would be forced to face it now after how many years.“This way Ma’am” A voice interrupts her thought and she nods subconsciously.Walking hand in hand with Kristian, they arrived at the large dining room where her mother and two stepbrothers awaited them.“Grandma” Kristian voiced out happily and removed his hand from her mother’s.it’s an involuntary kind of reaction whenever she’s aroun
AT A SHOPPING MALL“So refreshing” Kristian lets out gaily as he finishes a portion of an ice cream.“Are you that happy?” Ashley asked in surprise, she gently patted his head and urged him to remain seated with the plan of getting him another cup. The walk to the ice cream store seemed longer than usual as she sighted her ex-husband’s favorite coffee. She remembered the visit here after work and how he knew her preferences all the time.She didn’t know how she got to the Ice cream store but she could see the lady before her smiling at her.Lost in deep thought…“How May I help you ma’am?”She finally heard the female attendant voice of concern and her lips curved into a forced smile to compose herself.On getting back to Kristian’s table, she noticed his gaze was focused on something else. Unknowingly, her eyes followed and landed at the table next to theirs. He's busy staring at a family of three playing sweet home in public. It’s not the first time he would be distracted by a comp
When the realization set in for Ashley, she could finally see the figure a few feet away from her. Her ex-husband had met their five-year-old son accidentally. Her legs faltered as she looked on from the corner.She bit her lips, her heart beating softly but with tension following every unintentional movement of the handsome man until he reached for Kristian’s shoulder with both hands.Ashley’s eyes immediately turned bloody, it looked as if her ex-husband had been cruel enough to decide to intimidate her most cherished son. With a clenched fist, she increased her pace defensively only to be frozen by a bright smile on Kristian’s face.“I have an important meeting to attend to. Let him go, he’s just a kid” Rhett McCall said just that before leaving with long strides, so fast that Ashley knew she wouldn’t catch up.“Mommy!” Kristian called as she rushed into her embrace.Ashley welcomed him into a tight hug, her creased brows showed how worried and scared she was.“Are you okay? did th
Collective gasps filled the room and it seemed as if the world had come to a halt for Rachel, her embarrassment seeping through her skin to the bones.“How dare you Ashley?!” she yelled, hand raised to rain down and slap on Ashley but then a man came to stop her.“Miss, are you okay?” Mr.Fred, the assistant asked with concern still holding Rachel’s wrist.“Let go of her hand right this instant!” Another man’s voice echoed from the entrance and everyone turned to take a look.Rachel’s eyes brightened with joy as she sighted her Fiancé looking royal as ever and this man had taken her side in public for the first time and against Ashley at that.Immediately, Rachel pretended to be weak and cried out in pain “You’re hurting my wrist mister” Mr.Fred let go of her hand at once “Apologies Madam”Rhett McCall has just arrived at the party after his late-night meeting when he saw the unusual number of people gathered around. He had thought that other business gurus might have identified the e
The news of Kristian’s arrival has made Ashley lose her composure. She fears that he might cause trouble with the wrong people this time around and with the fact that Rachel was moving crazy tonight, she could not risk having her meet her son, her rare gem.“Are you sure that hotel is the best? Their security is wack! How did they lose track of a five-year-old boy??” Ashley questioned uneasily.“I’m sorry Miss, I specifically asked them to put a call through at the sight of the young master Kristian” The assistant explained convincingly.Still, in a haze, he bit his lips and scratched his forehead nervously then brought out his phone from the pocket to keep trying Kristian’s number again.“How did he even find his way to this party? Alone!” She sighed, with a hand on her waist and her eyes scanning the entire room. Her body moved slowly as she looked into the crowd but could not see a small structure that could give out her son but instead, her face met with that of Rachel who appeare