Chapter 1

Even though she hadn't had one in ten years, Ashley came to the hospital hoping to cure her migraines.

However, she never expected to run into me in a hospital room.

Jordan was openly holding her hand and glaring at me tauntingly. It was as if I, her legitimate husband, didn't exist in this room.

I lay there quietly, staring coldly at the ceiling.

"Just because we had a fight, you're going to be this petty?" Ashley turned to look at the sign for the orthopedic trauma department. Her tone was dripping with sarcasm. "You're not missing any limbs, so what kind of trauma do you have?"

During the car accident, my hands—the very ones that had massaged Ashley for ten years—were pinned under the wheels. My right hand had a hairline fracture, while my left hand was starting to go numb. Yet, there wasn't a single visible scratch on the surface.

A nurse passed by. Ashley carefully steadied Jordan, terrified he might get bumped. But when she spoke to me, she didn't even lift her head.

"I'll have the standalone villa at 7 Laurel Court transferred to your name. You can also pick any car from the garage. Once you're done pretending to be sick, come home. It's been three days since you last gave me a massage. Is this any proper way to treat your wife, you heartless jerk?"

Her tone was icy-cold, as if she were dealing with a housekeeper who'd decided to go on a strike.

Nothing could cure Ashley's migraines except my massages.

Before we got married, I had just learned how to give massages, so I'd always end up messing up her hair. She'd grumble and fuss, saying she didn't want me to feel taken advantage of. She would go out of her way to buy me gifts.

However, somewhere along the way, the surprise of receiving gifts turned into the numbness of collecting payment, just like an escort after his service.

Worse yet, the person she truly cared about was not me anymore.

I propped my chin up with my left hand, the one I could barely use, and laughed heartily.

"You think a villa and a car are enough to buy me off? Looks like you're not that rich either."

Ashley was somewhat annoyed.

Jordan comforted her softly, saying, "How about you two talk it out first? I'll go check if the migraine specialist has arrived. And don't be so hard on Shaun. He's only pretending to be sick because he cares about you."

Ashley nodded dotingly and only took her eyes off the door after Jordan had left the room.

"You should learn a thing or two from Jordan sometime."

Jordan and Ashley were childhood sweethearts, but he had spent most of his years studying abroad. After graduation, he became Ashley's assistant, and their relationship quickly took off.

In fact, their offices were separated only by Ashley's bedroom in the company.

It was ridiculous when I thought about it. I'd be doubled over from stomach pain and still wouldn't skip her massage. Yet, all Jordan had to do was make one passive-aggressive remark, and Ashley immediately thought I should be learning from him.

Enduring the searing pain coming from deep in my bones, I wiped my forehead with my left hand and lowered my head so she wouldn't see the tears in my eyes.

"You're right. I really do need to consult Jordan to learn how to be the husband of Weston Group's CEO."

A chill crept into Ashley's eyes. Something I said must have struck a nerve, because her tone began to carry a spark of anger.

"Quit the jealous sniping and petty drama. Shaun, you're a man, not some whining housewife." Finally, she spat out, "You're really cheap, do you know that?"

I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Those were the very words that Lydia Hutchinson, Ashley's grandmother, had said about me back when Ashley and I first started dating.

Back then, she had given Grandma Lydia the silent treatment for six months over that remark.

I turned my head and accidentally laughed so hard that tears began to stream down.

"After all these years, Grandma Lydia still had the best insults."