Chapter 42
When There Is Nothing Left But Love
Bang! A loud noise came from outside. I hastily locked the bathroom door and curled into myself. I
knew that if Ashton wanted to come in, there was no stopping him.
Sure enough, it didnât take long before he slammed open the door from outside. In a harsh voice, he
growled, âWhat the hell are you doing, Scarlett?â
He was standing just beyond the bathroom door now.
I held the door down, not wanting to hear his voice at all. âI donât wanna see you, Ashton. Please,
please stay away from me!â
I felt disgusted beyond comprehension. If I didnât hear those sounds, perhaps I couldâve lied to myself
even after knowing what happened. But now, it was impossible for me to unhear them. No matter how
many times I told myself not to picture him lying naked in bed with Rebecca, I just couldnât. Everything
was playing in my mind on repeat.
âScarlett, open the door. Whatever it is, we can talk it out!â His icy voice could probably freeze anything
that came to close.
I shook my head, still feeling uncomfortable in both my heart and stomach. âThereâs nothing to talk
about between us. Please just stay away from me!â
âScarlett!â He said through gritted teeth outside the door, âDonât test my patience! Okay?â
On the verge of breaking down, I screamed at the door, âI told you to stay away from me! Stay away!
Didnât you hear me?â
Bang! A huge impact shook the door on its hinges and I took a few steps back in fright.
After only three times, the bathroom door burst open and his towering figure cannoned in. With pitch-
dark eyes, he stared at my cowering form beside the bathtub.
âScarlett, youâ¦â When he saw my quaking body and the resentment in my gaze as I looked at him, his
anger subsided slightly.
After a long time, he walked to my side and crouched down, slowly extending his fingers toward me.
Afraid that heâd touch me and repulsed by his proximity, I instinctively shouted, âDonât touch me!â
His outstretched hand froze midway and his chilly aura diffused into the air around us. âTell me what
happened.â
âAshton, letâs get a divorce! Please. Letâs just get a divorce. I donât want anything. Just sign the
papers!â My voice cracked.
Ashtonâs already sullen expression became impossibly darker. His frosty eyes were fixated on me as
he muttered, âDo you know what youâre saying, Scarlett?â
âYes!â Of course I did. For two years, I endured all the hurt inflicted on me, but love couldnât be forced.
No amount of warmth and kindness could replace love!
He grabbed me hard, then hauled me out of the bathroom and placed me on the bed. He wrapped a
towel around me before squatting in front of me. With both hands tightly holding my shoulders, he
looked up at me and spoke softly. âWhat exactly happened?â
He was calm. Even when I had an angry outburst, he still managed to remain calm.
I shook my head vigorously as my eyes reddened, croaking out, âAshton, do you love me?â I didnât
know why I asked this question, but there was no turning back now.
He stiffened for a split second and frowned while looking at me with an intense gaze. âLove isnât a word
you just throw around, Scarlett!â
But you said it to Rebecca. My heart clenched in my chest, and I almost screamed out the words.
âThen what is it?â I lost control of my tears and choked out, âAshton, you donât love me, do you?
âScarlett!â His low voice sounded strained. âTell me what happened, okay? Why are you suddenly
asking for a divorce?â
âI donât love you. I really donât!â My eyes were red-rimmed and the pain in my heart had spread to every
part of my body. âI donât love you as much as I thought. Iâm still young and there are countless
opportunities for me to find someone I truly love, so letâs get a divorce and set each other free, okay?â
From the moment I met Ashton, I never thought that there would come a day where Iâd beg to leave
him.
I thought that as long as I worked hard enough and offered him my heart, body and soul, one day, he
would come to appreciate me and perhaps even love me.
Unfortunately, I forgot that there were too many uncertainties in life. In this world, many things could be
yours as long as you worked hard, but love was an exception.
It was already a blessing from God if two people found love in each other, because most people could
only dream of getting that!
The temperature in the bedroom seemed to drop sharply, chilling me to the bone. Even so, I bowed my
head and averted my gaze.
After a long time, he drew in a breath and said in a commanding tone, âRest well. Weâll talk after youâve
calmed down!â
He stood and left the bedroom right after saying that short and concise sentence.
That night, Ashton left the villa while I stayed up all night.
Even so, we had to move on or else the world would leave us behind.
After a sleepless night, I arrived at the company bone-tired. When Stacey noticed my pale complexion,
she asked in concern, âMs. Stovall, did you stay up all night to read the documents? Company audits
arenât that difficult, so donât put too much pressure on yourself. Your body has just recovered so you still
need to take care of yourself!â