8. Divorce

He looked up. His eyes glanced at the girl who was staring at him intently.

“Ah—Yes?” Josh stopped typing, leaving the sentence he hadn't finished. “Go ahead. I’m listening.”

Ashley scoffed. “Are you sure? I don’t think so,” Ashley's tone sounded mocking, “You probably don’t even remember what we were talking about.”

At the same time Josh also noticed Ashley deliberately glancing at the cell phone that was in her hand. So he put his phone down.

“Oh really?” her tone is still the same.

Josh sighed, rubbing his temple. “I’m listening, Ashley. You were explaining why you suddenly want a divorce when you've never thought about it before.”

“Yes. Huh—no, no,” Ashley hurriedly corrected herself. “Who said I just thought of it now? Of course, I’ve thought about it. Who in their right mind would want to be stuck forever in a fake, business marriage like this?”

Josh raised an eyebrow. He never thought Ashley would describe their marriage in such a variety of terms.

It made him want to confront her. But before he addressed the type of marriage that existed in Ashley's perspective, it felt like he  had to get one thing straight. On the topic of divorce which he honestly never expected to hear so soon.

“You never mentioned it before,” he said. “So I just assumed you’d never thought about it. But I guess I was wrong. You just haven't said it yet. Is that right?”

“Yes! That’s right!” Ashley immediately confirmed his opinion with a passionate and spontaneously raised voice.

Josh leaned back, nodding slightly.

“Alright.”

Ashley blinked. “Alright?”

Josh nodded. “I see your point. But can we not talk about this so soon? We just got married this afternoon. It’s too early to mention divorce.”

“You say that as if the mere word would bring bad luck. That only applies to people in a real marriage. As for us—no.”

“But you said this marriage was real.”

“When?” Ashley squinted. “I never said that, did I?”

Josh smirked. “When you caught me and Sharon. And you got mad.”

Ashley replayed all of today’s incidents in her head. Had she really said that? It didn’t make sense. Why would she say something that contradicts reality? Then—ah. 

She remembered.

Her expression turned more serious. “I only said the wedding was official. That doesn’t mean it’s ‘real’. Besides, it was your girlfriend who snapped at me in a rude manner.”

“But you provoked her first. You barged in, calling her another woman, mistress, and everything.”

“What?” Ashley stared at him in disbelief.

“If only you hadn't come and shown up, maybe things would have been easier for the three of us.”

Josh's words just now really left her speechless. Resentment was still overwhelming her. But hearing something like that, it was enough to hurt his heart.

“You’re blaming me for catching you?” Her voice was sharp. “Did you not see how your girlfriend attacked me like a rabid animal?”

Josh's forehead furrowed and his expression hardened at the insult. He didn’t like hearing Ashley call Sharon by inappropriate names, even if, technically, it was true that she attacked Ashley. He wasn’t sure anymore where it all started or who was most at fault to blame.

But with full awareness, he forced himself to stay calm. Though he could feel his anger slowly built inside him. He reminded himself of her mother's orders, of how he should behave towards Ashley. Losing his temper again would only make things worse. 

His hand holding the cell phone spontaneously gripped tighter, grounding himself. Trying to hold back all the emotional turmoil that he should not explode again.

It was enough that he lost control a moment ago when in the room. He couldn't just act like that anymore. He had to be careful. Or it would make Ashley think of him as an enemy even more. If she became too wary of him, it would complicate their relationship and make it difficult for Josh to do what his mother wanted.

“Please don’t call her that. You don't know her," he said in a low growl, holding back his anger. "You shouldn't talk about her like that. Can you at least try to understand her position?"

“Wait, you’re asking me to what?”

“If you’re mad, be mad at me. Blame me.” He exhaled. “And I’m sorry about your injury. I’ll book you an appointment with a doctor tomorrow, just to make sure it doesn’t leave a scar.”

Ashley scoffed. She couldn’t bear to see Josh constantly defending that girl. Frustrated, she snorted and looked away.

“How annoying. Because of your relationship, I’m now forced to help you hide it. Do you think that’s fair? If it gets exposed and becomes a spreading rumor, my family's company shares could be affected as well,” Ashley paused to take a breath, “I refuse to carry that burden for something I didn’t even do. Why should I suffer the consequences of your actions?”

Josh sighed. 

“Ash,” he said carefully, he felt the need to set the record straight, “you don’t have to worry. None of this will fall on you. I promise I’ll be more careful. No one will find out about me and Sharon. But for this to work, I need a small favor from you—keep this between us. By not telling anyone.”

Ashley snorted again while grinning. The longer this never-ending conversation dragged on, the more exhausted she felt. Honestly, she didn’t even know why they were still talking. This conversation didn't even need to happen in the first place. She didn't know what important points could be gained from all that they had talked about earlier.

“By the way,” she muttered, “have you apologized for not being honest with me earlier?”

Josh tilted his head. “I don’t know. I feel like I’ve apologized plenty.” He leaned forward slightly. “But you haven’t. You haven't given me an apology. You also haven't decided if you're willing to help hide Sharon, for the sake of your family's reputation. For the sake of your company.”

Ashley narrowed her eyes. “Are you mocking me? Is that sarcasm?” She felt uncomfortable with Josh's last sentence.

Josh shrugged. “Didn’t you say it yourself? If this matter gets out, your company’s stock will drop. The reputations of many people will be ruined.”

Josh looked at Ashley. While Ashley looked away. 

Silence somehow settled between them, thick and heavy. They both cast their eyes into the air, lost for words and lost in their own thoughts.