Chapter 2

Roxy lowered her head, too afraid to meet Irene's eyes.

Ever since she married Ashton, Irene, her mother-in-law, had treated her with nothing but kindness. Irene cared for her as if she were her own daughter and treated her better than anyone else had. She was beginning to feel regretful.

She never would've listened to Calvin if she knew this would happen. She never should've insisted on having Ashton sign the divorce papers on this very day.

"Don't be scared, Roxy. I'll always be here to support you. Some people like to resort to emotional manipulation. You absolutely cannot become soft-hearted. You must do what's necessary for your future happiness!"

As Calvin encouraged Roxy, he glanced at Ashton with a look of smugness.

He had plenty of grudges against Ashton.

Back when he was still studying at Javonbury University, he had been the campus heartthrob. However, Ashton had given him a good thrashing for a particular incident, utterly humiliating him.

Apart from that, he'd never thought that Roxy, whom he hadn't seen in years now, would become such a gorgeous woman. Why hadn't he noticed her beauty before? He never would've let Ashton get a chance with her otherwise!

Still, it wasn't too late. His woman would still end up being his. Moreover, Roxy was rich now, so he was determined to seal the deal with her. He was hellbent on taking everything away from Ashton.

Just the thought of that thrilled Calvin.

"Roxy, if Ash has done anything wrong, tell me. I'll set him straight! Divorce isn't something that should be brought up so lightly!" Irene said.

"Mom, I…"

Roxy had no words.

"Mommy, don't divorce Daddy…" Celia pleaded with a sob, her eyes red as she hugged Roxy's thigh and started weeping.

The sound of her crying made Roxy falter. She recalled the first time she met Ashton.

She'd been working part-time at the nightclub when a drunken man harassed her. Ashton stepped in like a knight in shining armor and gave that sleazebag a severe beating. From that moment onward, no one ever bullied her again.

It felt as though a switch had flipped, and her life became a breeze. Everything she wanted came easily to her. And now, she was a wealthy woman—one of the most successful business owners in Javonbury!

But deep down inside, Roxy always looked down on Ashton for his involvement in the criminal underworld. She remained hung up on her first love, Calvin, who remained the one she longed for.

She felt as though she'd missed out on something in life because she'd met Ashton in her youth. Back then, it was mostly out of gratitude that she decided to marry him.

"I see how it is, Ashton. I never thought you'd stoop so low as to use a child! It's clear you've spent a great deal of time brainwashing Celia. How can you be so despicable?" Robert snapped accusatorily.

"Don't fall for his tricks, Roxy! Ashton used to be a criminal. He resorts to all kinds of devious and underhanded methods. Being married to someone like him is nothing short of a disgrace. You have to cut all ties with him at once!"

"You're too kind-hearted, Roxy. This time, you must do as I say. We must get the divorce papers signed today! You've only just started building up your business. You can't let someone like him get in your way," Tanya insisted.

Nudging Michael, she urged, "Hurry up and talk some sense into Roxy, too!"

"Michael, you were the one who strongly pushed for them to get married back then. They're just being impulsive right now. Do try to reason with Roxy…" Irene pleaded, her voice even more choked now.

Michael adjusted his glasses before saying in a subdued tone, "That was then, and things have changed. It's not as though we, the Sloans, haven't given Ashton any chances. The fact remains that he and Roxy are no longer in the same league. Their relationship has reached its end.

"Roxy, being indecisive will only cause even more trouble for you."

"Roxy, you must listen to your parents. Stop hesitating!" Calvin urged impassionately.

"Roxy! I'll kneel if I must! Please, for Celia's sake, don't go through with this divorce! Ash truly loves you. As his mother, I know that better than anyone. He's given you everything he has to give!" Irene begged.

"He told me that the best thing that ever happened to him was marrying you. He said he was willing to give up everything for your sake. He even said that the only thing he wants in life is to devote himself to you and Celia!"

Irene started bending down to kneel, but both Roxy and Ashton rushed to stop her before her knees hit the floor.

"You two really are like mother, like son! Look at them, Roxy. You've finally seen their true colors, haven't you? They're just trying to guilt-trip you!

"If you give in now, you'll be falling right into their trap, and these two leeches will spend the rest of their lives sucking our family dry!" Tanya snapped ferociously, her expression harsh and unpleasant.

Calvin seized the chance to fan the flames, saying, "With me around, you have nothing to be afraid of, Roxy! I'll always protect you. I won't let you get pushed around by Ashton and his mother."

Michael also chimed in firmly, "Bring out the divorce papers, Roxy. Let Ashton sign it!"

"You have nothing to worry about, Roxy," Robert piped up. "That pathetic Ashton was never good enough for you in the first place. He should've been kicked out of the family long ago!"

"Shut up, Robert!" Renee, Roxy's younger sister, had finally snapped out of her shock.

She quickly cried out, "Why are you so adamant about divorcing Ashton, Roxy? He's such a good man. No one else could've done what he has done for you all these years! Don't be rash. Some mistakes can never be undone!

"You just can't see things clearly because you're too caught up in the situation, Roxy. You have no idea about the sacrifices Ashton has made. You can't see just how dependent you are on him. That first love of yours is nothing compared to Ashton!"

"Renee! How can you talk about Calvin like that? How is he not as good as Ashton?" Roxy snapped.

She let out a heavy exhale. The hesitance slowly vanished from her eyes.

She took out the divorce agreement she'd prepared ages ago and handed it to Ashton, saying, "Let's end things with dignity. Sign it. I'll give you five million dollars. That's enough for you to live off of for the rest of your life. Celia will stay with me, but I won't stop you from seeing her."

The words "Divorce Agreement" were printed clearly on the document.

"How could this happen…" Irene exclaimed before slumping onto the floor and falling unconscious.

"Mom!"

Ashton's heart squeezed in agony as an overwhelming wave of hatred swept over him. He immediately laid Irene flat and called for an ambulance.

Composing himself, he pressed his fingers against her pulse. Once he confirmed her life wasn't in any danger, he let out a small sigh of relief.

"Mom…" Roxy called out.

She tried to approach them, but Ashton coldly shoved her aside. She stumbled and nearly lost her balance.

Roxy stared at Ashton in shock. To her memory, in all the years she'd known him, it was the first time he looked at her this coldly and pushed her away like that.

She could vividly sense the divide between them. It felt like a chasm that had completely torn them apart.

"Ashton, I didn't mean for this to happen. I know an expert at Paramount Hospital. I'll arrange for him to treat Mom immediately," Roxy said anxiously.

"Don't bother! And from this moment onward, you're not allowed to call her 'Mom' anymore. You're not worthy of doing so!" Ashton declared, his voice curt and emotionless.

From the moment Irene fainted, he lost all feelings for Roxy.