Chapter 1

"Ashton, let's part ways on good terms. Sign the divorce papers."

Ashton Gray looked at Roxy Sloan, the woman he loved most, as he pleaded quietly, "It's my mother's 60th birthday today, Roxy! You know she has a weak heart. Can't we talk about this tonight instead? Please, I'm begging you!"

A feast was laid out on the dining table, and the family had gathered around it. Roxy's parents, Michael Sloan and Tanya Forrest, as well as her younger siblings, Robert and Renee Sloan, were all dressed in finery.

Irene Lowe, Ashton's plainly dressed mother, was also sitting there with his five-year-old daughter, Celia Gray, who drooled as she stared at the cake.

There was one other person in the house—Calvin Emerson, Roxy's first love. She'd just brought him back after picking him up at the airport.

A flicker of hesitation flashed across Roxy's eyes, but she still shook her head. "We must sign it now."

"Ash! Roxy! What are you two whispering about? Come take your seats and eat!" Irene urged.

"Daddy, Mommy, I'm hungry!" Celia called out.

Ashton glanced at Irene and Celia before saying to Roxy, "You want a divorce, huh? I'll do it. But can we at least wait until we're done with this meal?"

Roxy's brows arched slightly. She felt both a little upset and disappointed to see Ashton behaving in such a meek manner.

Ten years ago, Ashton was a spirited young man booming with confidence. At 20 years old, he'd already become one of the bosses in Javonbury's criminal underworld.

At the time, the 18-year-old Roxy was a college freshman working part-time at his nightclub to pay for her tuition.

Now, after ten years, she was the renowned president of Summit Group, owning a fair number of businesses, including beauty salons, entertainment establishments, and bars.

Meanwhile, after the government's crackdown on criminal activities, Ashton had faded into obscurity, becoming just another face in the crowd. He had nothing to his name and was reduced to being a househusband.

They were now worlds apart.

Most importantly, Calvin, Roxy's first love, whom she never got to be with, had finally returned from abroad. At last, the man she'd spent her entire youth pining after was now by her side!

She'd promised Calvin she would immediately make a clean break with Ashton and put an end to the marriage that should never have even taken place from the start.

Roxy didn't want to break the very first promise she made to Calvin right after his return.

But what she didn't know was that everything she had today had been bestowed upon her by Ashton.

Indeed, it wasn't an exaggeration to call it a bestowment.

It was Ashton's background and connections that had propelled her business in Javonbury. It was his influence and resources that won her favorable treatment and support from the local authorities.

Most crucially, he was the one who continued to aid her in secret, saving her from dangerous situations time and again!

Roxy's accomplishments were made possible due to Ashton's silent efforts and sacrifices, but she'd assumed they were the result of her own abilities. She'd mistakenly believed she was born for success, and it was he who shackled her freedom and limited her growth.

Furthermore, what she didn't know was that not too long ago, Ashton's strength had advanced again. He'd reached the legendary transcendent realm, a level of mastery for those who pursued the martial path.

At that level, he was someone she could only look up to for the rest of her life!

"Ashton, I know you're trying to stall for time, but it's pointless. I've made up my mind."

"Must you do it on the day of my mother's birthday? Couldn't you have waited just one more day?"

"Nope!"

Ashton clenched his fists before slowly releasing them. "Fine. I'll sign the divorce papers. But I have one condition."

"What condition?"

"Celia comes with me."

"Never!"

Keeping his voice low, Ashton said, "You wish to ride off into the sunset with your first love, but I'm not going to let Celia stay with you and be mistreated by her new stepfather."

Fury colored Roxy's expression. "I'd only just reunited with Calvin today. There's nothing going on between us! And even if I really do end up with him, I would never let Celia suffer in any way!"

"There's nothing between you two, huh? Then, why did you bring him home right in the middle of my mother's birthday celebration? What do you take me for, Roxy?"

"You're mistaken. I didn't bring Calvin here to humiliate you. He just got off the plane and had nowhere to go, so he asked to drop by the house…"

"Nowhere to go, huh? What a convenient excuse," Ashton remarked. "Well, whatever. I'm fine with the divorce, but Celia must stay with me. Otherwise, I won't be signing the divorce papers."

"Ashton! I never thought you'd be so selfish. You have nothing now. Celia will only suffer if she stays with you. If she stays with me, I can give her the very best the world has to offer!" Roxy declared.

Ashton raised his brows.

"Daddy, Mommy, why are you two still whispering in secret over there? Hurry up! I want to have some cake. I want to blow out the candles and make a wish with Grandma!"

"I'm coming, Celia," Roxy said.

"Don't be impatient, Celia. Your mommy and daddy are discussing their divorce. We can only start eating once that's settled," Calvin abruptly called out.

His words shocked everyone.

"T-Their divorce?"

Irene shot to her feet in alarm. "W-What's going on, Ash? Don't scare me like that!"

"Calm down, Mom. Roxy and I are just having a little disagreement. Everything's fine," Ashton assured Irene as he rushed over to hold her steady.

She'd been suffering from a frail heart and couldn't take too much stress. Emotional distress could send her into cardiac arrest and very well kill her.

"Is that true?" Irene questioned, her breathing ragged. "Tell me what's going on, Roxy."

Roxy shot Calvin a reproachful look.

"Sorry, Roxy. I thought everyone knew, so it just slipped out… But anyway, you can't hide the truth forever. Sooner or later, she's bound to find out, so you might as well be upfront about it. There's no reason to hide what's happening."

"Shut up!" Ashton snarled, shooting a glare at Calvin.

Calvin fell silent at once, his body shuddering. He immediately averted his eyes, too afraid to meet Ashton's murderous gaze.

Roxy bit her lip, feeling rather hesitant.

"Don't worry, Mom. Roxy and I aren't getting a divorce. It's your 60th birthday today. Let's start eating," Ashton suggested with a smile.

"Ashton! What's the point of prolonging the inevitable?" Tanya questioned as she rose from her seat. "It's better to get it over with quickly than to drag out the suffering. Let's finalize the divorce now. It's just as well since everyone is here. We can be the witnesses!"

"Tanya…"

"Irene, the marriage between Ashton and Roxy has come to a dead end. They're no longer right for each other. The divorce papers must be signed today!" Tanya adamantly declared.

"Mom, it doesn't have to be settled right this instant…" Roxy said quietly after seeing how pale and sickly Irene looked now.

"I know you're soft-hearted, Roxy, but that's precisely what certain people use to exploit you and keep you tied down! We can carry on with this meal and celebrate Irene's birthday, but we must settle the divorce first.

"You can't let Ashton continue to waste your time. A woman's youth doesn't last forever!" Tanya insisted.

"Mom's right, Roxy! A loser like Ashton is no longer good enough for you. Even if you get a divorce, with your abilities and social standing, you can have any man you want. Personally, I think Calvin's a decent guy, too," Robert piped up.

With a cocky expression, he looked at Ashton and mocked, "A certain someone here is completely useless, but he's still fantasizing about mooching off his wife for the rest of his life. Well, he can keep dreaming!

"You deserve better, Roxy, so don't hesitate any longer. You must get the divorce papers signed today and file them at the courthouse tomorrow. Once the divorce procedures are completed, you'll finally be free of this useless loser!"

Roxy's expression was a little dark. She felt a pang of guilt as well. She didn't intend to let things blow up this much, but it was Ashton's fault for refusing to sign the divorce papers! She had no other choice.

Things would never have come to this if he'd just signed it earlier.

"Ash, what's going on between you and Roxy? Don't frighten me like that. All married couples fight, but there's no quarrel that can't be resolved eventually…" Irene said, her voice tearful and trembling as it escaped her colorless lips.

"You need to sit down, Mom!" Ashton urged.

"Come here, Roxy. Talk to me. Tell me what's going on. You and Ash aren't getting a divorce, right?" Irene asked.

"Mom, Ashton and I…"