บททั้งหมดของ Not yours anymore Mr ASHFORD : บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

Chapter 2The stairs swayed under my feet as I rushed down to make breakfast. My stomach lurched – morning sickness or fear, I couldn't tell anymore. I gripped the railing, waiting for the world to stop spinning."Not now, baby," I whispered, touching my belly. Still flat, still our secret. "Mama needs to focus."The kitchen staff ignored me as usual. Just empty faces, trained by Nikolai to treat me like I didn't exist. I grabbed eggs from the fridge, trying to steady my shaking hands. The coffee machine hummed to life, filling the kitchen with its rich scent.Then hands grabbed my waist."Mmm, you smell good, Sister-in-law."Reed's breath hit my neck, hot and wrong. I shoved him away, knocking over the pan. Hot oil splashed my arm."Don't touch me!" The burn stung, but his touch was worse.He laughed, moving closer. "So feisty today. What's wrong, Elena? My brother not taking care of you?" His eyes were hungry, predatory. "I could show you what a real man feels like.""Back off!" I g

Chapter 4The sound of the front door slamming could be heard across the large entrance hall as Nikolai rushed into the house, Cassandra following closely. His face was set in sharp lines, his mouth closed tightly enough to split stone."I've called everyone—her friends, the stores she visits, even that charity where she volunteers," Nikolai said, throwing his phone on the marble counter. "Everyone has not seen her." Arm crossed, Matteo leaned against the doorframe and watched his pal pace like a trapped beast. You have to cool off. She most likely lost track of time and is merely shopping. "For six hours?!" Nikolai shot him a gaze that would cause weaker men to hide. "Women," Matteo said, a tiny smile flickering at his lips. He shrugged. "You know how they are when they are perusing those designer stores." Her cards are still here, Nikolai said, his voice lowering. "Her phone is on the counter. Dramatically sighing, Cassandra settled on the fluffy sofa. She crossed her leg

Chapter 6 Thousands of miles away, Nikolai sat in a conference room, half-listening to his team's presentation. His mind kept drifting to Elena, to the accusations he'd hurled at her the night before. Had he overreacted? The pain in her eyes haunted him, though he'd never admit it aloud.His phone vibrated in his pocket. Irritated by the interruption, he pulled it out, ready to silence it—until he saw Elena's name on the screen. A message with attachments.Curiosity overcame his annoyance. He opened the message, and his blood turned to ice.The photos showed Elena, clearly unconscious, lying in their bed with a half-naked man beside her. In one image, the man's arm was draped possessively across her body. In another, their faces were close together, as if in an intimate moment.Beneath the photos was a message: "You were right. I'm sorry you had to find out this way."The room around Nikolai ceased to exist. The presentation, his team, the deals worth millions—all faded to insignific

Chapter 8Chapter EightFive years later, the Astor Grand Hotel buzzed with energy as business elites mingled in the ballroom. Nikolai Ashford adjusted his tie, surveying the crowd with practiced indifference, networking events like thus6 had become routine to him, it was just another opportunity to display the Ashford empire's continued dominance in the industry. "Stop fidgeting," Cassandra murmured, sliding her hand into the crook of his arm. "You look perfect." She told herself. Nikolai gave her a tight smile, five years of being together with Cassandra had been... functional, at the very least she played her role well: the devoted wife, the elegant hostess, the perfect business partner and yet the emptiness remained all through it all. "There's Jonathan," Nikolai said, nodding toward their host. "Let's get this over with."Jonathan Hayes beamed as they approached, “it's the man of the hour! Nikolai, Cassandra, so glad you could make it.""Wouldn't miss it," Cassandra replied wi

Chapter 10"I know you hate her, but acting like this won't change anything. Leave everything to me and stay out of this. I have her business card and I'm going to meet her tomorrow to make sure...""I don't think there's anything to make sure of, Nikolai. The sooner we do something, the better it will be for us." She cut him off and walked to the bed, then changed into her night clothes.Nikolai walked away and put on comfortable pants, then watched as Cassandra lay on the bed and pulled the blanket over herself.Maybe she was right. There was no need to make sure of anything. But Elena now was not like before. He could no longer yell at her or treat her badly. He could only talk to her about business.He walked to the bed and fell on it right away. His mind was full of different thoughts and mixed feelings. Elena didn't want to talk about the past, and he knew he had to be gentle if he wanted to talk to her."Are you still thinking about her when I'm here?" Cassandra's voice scared h