111. Refused to Listen

Without thinking, her hand reached for Josh's work bag, lifting it and placing it by the table like a habit forged over years of marriage. It was automatic, almost unconscious. But the moment she realized what she’d done, Ashley froze. Her fingers hovered in mid-air, and she blinked rapidly, as if her mind were chasing its own awareness.

She quickly dismissed her surprise, forcing a casual tone into her voice.

“Oh, I ran into an old friend today—someone I knew back in New Zealand,” she said, walking to the kitchen to grab two glasses of water.

Josh was changing out of his shoes and into house slippers. “A friend?” he asked. “What’s his name?”

“Mark,” Ashley replied with a nod. “He was a senior back in school. Helped me out a lot when I first moved there. Really kind.”

Josh glanced up. “Mark… He’s a guy?”

Ashley nodded again. “Yeah. He owns his own company now. An online travel agency. We caught up for a bit, and he offered me a job—something design-related for his company.”

Josh, who had just sat on the sofa, turned to look at her. His eyes narrowed slightly. “What company?”

Ashley reached into her handbag and retrieved a business card. She handed it over as nonchalantly as possible, though her mind was not as calm as her face pretended to be.

Josh took the card and read it quickly.

“Horizon,” he murmured, and then his expression tightened. “They’re one of the toughest competitors we have.”

Ashley paused, trying to read his tone. Before she could respond, Josh spoke again.

“You can’t work there, Ashley.”

“Why not?” Her voice was soft but firm. “I’d just be a regular designer. I don’t know anything about your company’s data or strategies. I wouldn’t harm your business. I just... want to work.”

Josh stood slowly and walked to the window, his back to her. “I get that you want to keep busy. But there are other ways. Pick up a hobby. Take a class. Try Pilates, painting, whatever you like. You don’t have to work.”

His calm tone only fueled Ashley’s frustration. She clenched her hands tightly.

“So, what? I’m just supposed to sit at home and wait for you to come back? Like some useless piece of furniture?”

Josh turned his head slightly, looking exhausted. “That’s not what I meant. I just don’t want you getting involved with a rival company. It’s complicated.”

“But I want to be independent. I want to do something meaningful. I can’t keep floating around the apartment doing bits of nothing.”

Josh was quiet for a long moment. Then, he finally shrugged.

“Alright. If working is what you really want… then how about I speak to Grandpa? You could work in the family business. That would be safer. Better, even. We’d be in the same building—I can make sure you’re comfortable.”

Ashley immediately shook her head. “No. That would be worse. I don’t want to be the center of attention—the director’s wife, the CEO’s granddaughter-in-law. It’s too much. People would talk. They’ll think I only got the job because of you.”

She paused, looking down.

“I want to be recognized for my own skills, not for who I married.”

Josh stared at the business card in his hand again. His silence grew heavier.

“Besides,” Ashley added, voice quieter, “my mother wouldn’t be thrilled if too many people started digging into my background. Once they learn I’m your wife, they’ll connect the dots easily. And my family… we’re very strict about privacy.”

“Just give me some time to think this over,” Josh said at last. “Please. Don’t rush into anything. You’ve only been in the city for two days. Try to settle in first.”

Ashley opened her mouth, ready to protest—to say she wasn’t a child to be distracted with sightseeing and pastries—but before she could speak, Josh had already turned away.

“I’m going to take a shower,” he said without looking back.

The bathroom door shut.

Ashley stared at it for a long while, then slowly returned to the sofa. The business card still rested in her palm. The thin piece of paper felt heavier now, as though it carried the weight of a choice yet to be made.

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the sting of frustration and disappointment churn inside her chest. This city felt so vast, yet every direction she turned in seemed laced with invisible fences.

Two days, she thought. Just two days, and every step already felt like breaking through glass.

The next morning, Ashley sat on the living room couch, her laptop balanced on her thighs. On the screen, a completed CV stared back at her, pristine and professional. After spending the night thinking, she had made up her mind—she would contact Mark and discuss the offer seriously.

She typed her message carefully, ensuring it sounded professional despite their shared history. Mark responded faster than expected.

“I’ve got a packed day today, Ash. But if you’re okay with it, we could talk over lunch. There’s a restaurant near my office—I’ll send you the location.”

Ashley agreed. She had no other plans anyway. After dressing in a neat white blouse and a flowing pastel-blue skirt, she grabbed her tote bag and left.

The restaurant was warm and elegant, with wood-toned interiors and soft greenery that made it feel like a quiet retreat in the middle of a concrete city. She arrived early, ordered a glass of water, and chose a quiet corner.

Almost thirty minutes passed before Mark arrived, slightly out of breath.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said, pulling out the chair opposite her. “My last client ran over. I really didn’t mean to keep you waiting.”

Ashley gave him a small smile. “It’s alright. I like the ambiance here.”

They ordered lunch and talked over their meals. Mark’s face lit up when Ashley told him she was seriously considering the job.

“Your husband’s okay with you working?” Mark asked, spearing a piece of salad.

Ashley exhaled softly. “Not really, at first. But I can’t just sit at home. Eventually, he gave in… sort of. Though I think he’s still processing it.”

Mark chuckled. “Sounds like a decent guy, at least.”

Ashley didn’t respond to that directly. Instead, she reached into her bag and handed him a printed version of her CV.

“I sent this to your email too, but thought it might be helpful to bring a copy.”

Mark opened the folder and started reading.

“So, what does your husband do?” he asked without looking up.

“He works in furniture,” she answered simply. “For a company called Wood&K.”

Mark’s brows shot up. “Seriously? That’s impressive. They’ve got a great reputation. A lot of MBA grads fight for jobs there.”

Ashley looked down, resisting the urge to mention that Josh was actually the heir to the company. She had no idea how Mark might react.

“Your resume looks solid,” Mark said as he read through it. “It’d be a shame to waste all this talent at home. I think you’d be a great fit. I’ll make sure to set up a proper interview.”

“Thanks, Mark,” Ashley said genuinely.

Once lunch was over, they walked out together. Mark checked his phone.

“Want me to give you a ride back? I’m heading toward my next client anyway—it’s close to your area.”

Ashley hesitated. “It’s alright. I can grab a taxi.”

Mark laughed. “You don’t want to trouble me, huh?”

She laughed with him.

“Come on.”

He dropped her off in front of her apartment building. Before she stepped out, he turned to her.

“I’ll be in touch soon—send over the full job description, details about the role, and everything else you’ll need. We’ll schedule your interview too.”

“I’ll wait for your message,” she said.

Ashley stood at the entrance for a while after he left, gazing up at the sky. The sun was setting slowly, casting golden lines across the tops of buildings.

Her chest felt warm and uneasy at once.

She knew Josh might be upset when he found out. He probably wouldn’t take it well. But the truth was, they were used to arguing. Disagreement wasn’t new. And if he was going to be angry, well… then let him be.

Her chance meeting with Mark had lit something inside her—a small but determined hope that maybe, just maybe, she could start finding her place in this new city.

On her own terms.