94. A Compromise

Josh has been upfront about the reasons that made him agree to this marriage.

But Ashley certainly couldn't reciprocate his openness by telling him the reasons why she was also forced to agree to this marriage. Because her biological mother's existence was a big secret—it is her family's past sins that no one should know about, not even Josh.

That's why Ashley remained silent and didn't mention her reason at all.

Josh chose to tell her and his girlfriend’s story. So she would let him tell it without making this situation provoke her to take turns telling her own version of her life story—which to be honest was also very complicated and full of irony.

“I may sound very selfish to you, but, can you do me a favor not to blame us too much? I really can't lose Sharon.” Josh's face paled. “I'm afraid of my family hurting her. I'm also really scared that she's trying to hurt herself again.”

Ashley looked at Josh with compassion.

Before, she just thought that Josh was just a jerk who was too blinded by women that he couldn't separate the issue of feelings from the bigger picture. She thought that Josh was too stupid to play with fire and jeopardize the reputation of both their families. At first Ashley was too scared that Josh's scandal would get her into trouble and have to take the blame for something she didn't do. 

But knowing that Josh did it all because he was forced by circumstances, Ashley herself couldn't do anything about it.

“I understand,” Ashley sighed heavily. Her heart seemed to be filled with many stones, and her head felt dizzy.

“I'm sorry I can't grant your wish. I can't divorce you, Ash. I have no choice,” Josh's eyebrows arched downward and his forehead creased. It made Ashley completely understand the expression of fear and worry that the man had been harboring for who knows how long.

“Hm-hm,” Ashley could only mumble.

She couldn't agree clearly or express her disagreement. Because she didn't know if this was the time she should completely give up on her desire to end this marriage, or keep hoping despite not knowing how to make it happen.

While Josh flashed her a bitter smile, Ashley quickly lowered her head again and continued sorting the remaining fruits and vegetables that she hadn't arranged.

“Go take a rest,” Ashley spoke in a tone that turned flat again, ”I'll call you when the food is ready.”

Josh's eyes suddenly shifted to the watch on his left wrist, indicating that the afternoon was almost over.

“You can cook it next time. Now you'd better get ready. I think we should arrive before your parents this time.”

Ashley raised her head. She looked at Josh with a big question mark on her face and a look of incomprehension.

Josh caught Ashley's look of confusion with equal puzzlement. “You... didn't know we were having dinner with your parents? They didn't tell you?”

Ashley shook her head because she really didn't know anything about the plan.

Josh himself also didn't understand why no one told Ashley. Even though his mother clearly told him that she had arranged a meeting of the four with Ashley as well.

“It's okay. Now you know.” Josh then suddenly seemed to be able to find an answer as to why Ashley didn't know. “Actually, my mom personally arranged the meeting with your parents because she knew I had canceled my appointment with them. Maybe that's why. indeed it should be you have known from me.”

Ashley nodded. Her head was already full and her heart also felt tight from being carried away by the story told by Josh. So she didn't want to bother about things that didn't require much of her attention.

“Then, you get ready first,” Ashley nodded her head to her groceries. “I'll finish this first.”

Josh nodded.

But he still hadn't moved an inch. His mouth seemed to be holding something he still wanted to say.

Ashley gave him a quick glance, then ignored him and chose not to react or ask any questions.

“I've asked you a lot, but, can I ask for one more?”

“What?” Ashley replied briefly while looking down, having no intention of distracting herself from her activities.

“This night...” Josh suddenly hesitated for a moment, “I'll probably tell a lot of lies to your parents, in order to get their forgiveness. So, please—”

“Yes,” Ashley cut Josh off, ”I understand.”

Josh frowned, worried that she might get angry with him again, “Ash?”

Meanwhile, Ashley sighed. He knew Josh had asked for a lot of understanding from him. And he had given it. But she also needed to calm her own feelings. She also had complicated issues that she kept to herself that sometimes made her want to scream and take it out brutally on everyone who made her life this way. And continuing to act fine like this in front of Josh only exacerbated the pain in her heart.

She just wanted to compromise as much as she could because Josh's situation required her cooperation. But right now she really wanted to be alone and didn't want to be pushed around.

“I understand, Josh. I won't say anything about her. I will follow whatever you’ll do.”

“Thank you,” Josh smiled with relief. “Thank you.

That night, the meeting with Ashley's parents didn't go as badly as either Josh or Ashley had expected. In fact, both of them had prepared themselves in case something bad happened.

And although Josh's gift didn't quite satisfy Ashley's parents, all the reasons he had prepared earlier seemed to convince them well enough.

Josh even agreed to Ashley's mother's invitation the next day to attend the charity event at the orphanage under the foundation managed by that woman. 

Ashley herself was not convinced by Josh's words that he would be really involved, and thought that Josh would break his promise again. Because she was sure, he wouldn't be able to leave her girlfriend for long. Especially at a time like this, when the girl was still in an unstable condition and needed more of Josh's presence.

Her prejudice was immediately proven that night. Josh left again after driving her home to return to his girlfriend's home.

But surprisingly, the next day, early in the morning Josh was back again at their apartment and ready to go with Ashley to fulfill his promise to Ashley's mother.