Chapter 3

Roxy froze on the spot. Ashton had never spoken to her so harshly before! It felt as if the man before her now had changed.

"How can you be so ungrateful, Ashton? Let me make this clear! If anything happens to your mother, don't you dare pin it on us! It's got nothing to do with our family!" Tanya snapped sharply.

"Stop it, Mom!" Roxy said.

"What's wrong with what I'm saying? It's the truth! Thank goodness you two had a prenup made before the wedding. Otherwise, it would've been a nightmare sorting out your assets in the divorce."

Roxy let out a soft sigh before looking at Ashton. "As long as you're willing to sign this divorce agreement, you can ask for anything you want, apart from custody of Celia. As long as it's within my ability, I'll do my best to satisfy your demands.

"I just hope we can end things on a good note. In the future… maybe we can even remain friends."

"What on earth are you saying, Roxy!" Renee exclaimed, fretting so anxiously that she even teared up. "Have you forgotten it was Ashton who gave you the startup funds to open your first establishment?

"Did you forget that when your company was in trouble, he was the one who risked his life to settle things for you? He nearly got killed in the process, all so that he could save you from disaster!

"Have you forgotten that it was Ashton—"

"Stop it, Renee! That's all in the past!" Roxy spoke up dismissively, cutting Renee off. "Ashton did help me in the past, but after all these years, I've long since repaid him for that. I'm even giving him five million dollars now. That's enough to make up for everything he's done for me."

"What happened to you, Renee? Have you seriously forgotten about everything? Do you think you could've gotten everything that you have now if it hadn't been for Ashton? Do you think our family would be where we are now? How can you be so ungrateful?"

"That's enough! You're still living in the past, Renee, but we should be focusing on the present and keeping our eyes on the future!" Roxy declared.

"Right from the very beginning, Ashton and I were never suited for each other. When you take a wrong turn, the GPS will show you a new way to get back on track, and the same thing happens in life. It's time for me to start fresh with a new path."

After saying that, she looked at Calvin affectionately.

Roxy was convinced that Calvin was her one true love. She refused to waste her life being stuck in a marriage with Ashton, something she considered a mistake.

"Roxy, if you really divorce Ashton, you'll regret it! You don't even realize your true feelings!" Renee insisted.

"I will never regret it! And even if I do someday, then so be it. I'll bear with it!" Roxy declared resolutely, though she felt an inexplicable sense of dread in her heart.

When she met Ashton's gaze, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was slipping away from her.

Meanwhile, Calvin muttered under his breath, "Five million dollars? That's far too much. That bastard doesn't deserve that much!"

In his eyes, once he got together with Roxy, everything that belonged to the Sloan family would be his as well. Therefore, giving Ashton five million dollars out of "his" assets vexed him to no end. He couldn't accept that. He had to find a way to get that money back in the future.

"Mommy… Daddy… Please don't fight. Don't get divorced. I'm scared…" Celia could no longer hold back her tears. They began spilling down her cheeks.

"Renee, take Celia to her room," Tanya instructed with a frown. She was worried that Roxy might end up wavering and giving in.

Tanya had long since taken a dislike to Ashton. Previously, when he had still been of use to the family, she simply turned a blind eye to him. But now, the family had come into money, and Roxy's company was flourishing. Ashton no longer brought any value to the family, so he should've been kicked out long ago.

Renee scooped up Celia before walking over to Ashton. "Ashton, Roxy has just been misled. That's all. She just hasn't thought things through properly. Just give her some time. She'll come to see that she's making a mistake."

"Renee, it's completely over between Roxy and me," Ashton said. He picked up the divorce agreement and skimmed over all the terms, except for the one regarding custody of Celia.

"I already made myself clear just now," he said gravely. "I'm fine with the divorce, and I don't need anything, but I won't give up custody of Celia!"

"Ashton, considering your situation, you don't have the means to take good care of Celia. If you really want her to be happy, you should let her stay with me," Roxy shot back.

After a brief pause, she added, "Don't worry. I won't change her last name. You'll always be her father."

"Roxy, do you really think that everything you have right now truly belongs to you?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Shaking his head, Ashton said, "I'll make you a deal. Let's add a condition to determine who gets custody of Celia.

"One year from now, the one with the most assets will get full custody of Celia. Until then, she will stay with you in the Sloan residence, but I refuse to let irrelevant outsiders have any contact with her!"

"Who are you calling an irrelevant outsider?" Calvin fumed, feeling targeted when he heard what Ashton said.

"Fine. I accept your request! I'll have someone amend the divorce agreement. Tomorrow, we'll have it filed at the courthouse. After the procedures are completed, it'll be completely over between us," Roxy readily agreed to it.

She didn't think that Ashton would be able to surpass her in assets even if he had an entire century to do so, let alone a year. She already commanded a vast business empire. She was no longer the helpless young woman who once needed his protection.

"Roxy, Ashton…" Renee called out as she hugged Celia tightly.

"Renee, I'll have to trouble you to take care of Celia from now on. I'll visit her twice a week. A year later, I'll take her with me," Ashton said calmly.

"Ashton, is there really no chance of you and Roxy getting back together?"

"When all your love has been trampled on and discarded, there's no point in holding on. People can stoop for love once, but not forever."

Just then, the sound of an ambulance rang out outside.

Ashton carefully lifted the unconscious Irene onto his back. He turned to the still-crying Celia and said, "Be a good girl, Celia. Daddy's taking Grandma to the hospital. You have to eat well, sleep well, and wait for Daddy to come back for you, okay?"

"Okay! I promise, Daddy!" Celia fervently nodded.

"Here's a check for five million dollars. You can cash it in at any bank." Roxy handed over the check she'd written out, along with the amended divorce agreement.

Ashton took the check and proceeded to tear it to shreds. Then, he signed the divorce agreement and took his copy before sneering. "If I can turn you from a penniless woman to one of the richest CEOs in Javonbury, Roxy, I can just as easily take it all back and leave you penniless again."

"What's that supposed to mean, Ashton? Do you think that now's the time to let your ego rule over you? Stop clinging to that pathetic pride of yours! Take the money. You'll still be able to live a decent life. Times have changed. You can't fall back on your old trade now."

Roxy looked deeply disappointed. Ashton's attempt to put on a tough front only served to make her look down on him even more.

"You're so clueless, Roxy. Soon, you'll spend the rest of your life living in regret," Ashton declared before marching out of the house.

He didn't want to stick around for even a second longer. It was time for him to wake up from this dream called love.

Back then, Ashton had fallen in love at first sight with Roxy. He'd thought she embodied all that was beautiful in the world. He gave up everything he had just so he could stay by her side and quietly protect her.

But now, all he felt for Roxy was a strong sense of loathing. Not a single trace of love remained.

After walking out of the Sloan residence, Ashton carried Irene into the ambulance.

"Take my car to the hospital, Ashton. I've already contacted Dr. Neely and reserved a hospital room for Mom. I won't let anything happen to her," Roxy said.

"Mom wouldn't have fainted if it hadn't been for you, Roxy, so don't act like you care now," Ashton retorted. "Doing so only disgusts me even more. You should just stay here and carry on being all affectionate with your long-lost first love.

"Also, I already said you're not allowed to call her 'Mom' anymore! Did you not understand me?"

Roxy's face hardened. "Why did you become like this, Ashton? Even if we can't be husband and wife, we can still be friends. You're still Celia's father. If you ever run into trouble, as long as it's within my ability, I'll still help you."

"Save it."

"I'm so disappointed in you, Ashton!"

Roxy felt relieved she had chosen Calvin instead of continuing to settle for Ashton.

"Roxy, you're just too kind. Some people aren't worth your sympathy. Let them fend for themselves. Come. Let's get back to our meal. From now on, their problems have nothing to do with us," Calvin suggested, feeling even more smug.

"I can't do that. Ashton's mom has always treated me well. I do bear some fault for what happened today. I'm sorry, Calvin. I can't celebrate your homecoming today. I need to head to the hospital," Roxy said.

"I'll go with you."

Moved by his gesture, she said, "Thank you, Calvin."

Ashton remained completely expressionless. He'd shut Roxy out of his heart completely now. Nothing she did could stir even the slightest ripple in him anymore.

"I hope you remember what I said, Roxy. Don't let Calvin near Celia. Otherwise, I'll take her away immediately. Once I make up my mind to do something, there's nothing you can do to stop me!" he declared, his tone grim.

Roxy frowned. "I really don't understand why you're being so hostile toward Calvin, Ashton. Do you think he's the reason why I'm divorcing you? It has nothing to do with him."

Ashton waved it off. "It doesn't matter. Just remember what I said."

"Why are you trying to act all tough, huh? Once you leave this house, you're nothing! We don't need to pay him any attention, Roxy," Calvin declared.

Roxy nodded.

Just as she was about to drive her and Calvin to the hospital, a Lamborghini convertible came roaring up the driveway and screeched to a stop right in front of Ashton.

The door swung open, and out stepped a stunning beauty dressed in a Chanel jacket and pencil skirt paired with black heels. She tossed her wavy hair back and smiled radiantly as she asked, "Are you going to the hospital, Ashton? Let me give you a ride."

"Sylvia Langley? What are you doing here?"