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Home / Romance Short Story / Ashes in Hand, Divorce in Tow / Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

All Chapters of Ashes in Hand, Divorce in Tow: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

12 Chapters

Chapter 1

After I had the baby, I threw myself back into work—anything to dodge the mess of juggling a career and a newborn.Grinding paid off. I snagged the top sales spot this year.My boss threw a party to celebrate. Peggy, who'd only been with us a year, came in second, so naturally, the drinks kept coming for the two of us.She tossed back the first like a champ, but when round two came, she hesitated. People egged her on, but she held her ground, smiling like she was half-embarrassed, half-thrilled."It's not that I don't wanna drink—my boyfriend's strict about that. I'm already pushing it with this one," she said, all bashful but glowing.Cue the groans and playful teasing."Peggy, we're not buying it unless you call him. We wanna meet this mysterious guy!""Yeah! Danielle, if you're trying to skip drinks too, call your hubby. You two are always talking about your men, but they're like ghosts—we've never seen them!"Eyes swung to me.Before I could react, Peggy was already on her

Chapter 2

A rising star dating the CEO? It was like a cringy office rom-com playing out in real time. Mr. Untouchable had officially been knocked off his pedestal.Everyone just stared.A few single girls shot Peggy dagger-eyed looks of pure envy.Then his voice came through again, smooth as ever:"I'll call you whatever you want. I've got a whole list—I could switch it up daily. But aren't you at your team dinner? Why the surprise call? Miss me already?"He sounded soft, all-in, like he'd drop everything for her.The table lit up with teasing and fake swoons. Everyone gushed.Except me. I just kept drinking, the wine sharp and dry, burning down fast. My nails had dug so deep into my palm, I'd drawn blood.Gerard was my husband.Has been for three years—secretly.So how the hell did she end up with him?***I'd known Gerard for a decade. Married him in secret three years ago.I used to bring up going public—like, a lot. Every time, he'd shut it down with the same line:"Danielle As

Chapter 3

I gripped my phone but didn't move.Just raised my glass—and drank.The whispers weren't even subtle."Calling him her husband? Please. Probably just moans that in bed. Why else wouldn't she make the call?""She's got a kid, and this mystery husband won't even show? She's totally some rich guy's secret fling.""Right? No real family would marry someone like her. Dressed like that? She's a toy. Use her, toss her, done. I even heard she sleeps with clients to close deals. Disgusting."I kept drinking like I didn't hear a word.Glass after glass, like that might drown it all out.This was supposed to be my win. My celebration.Instead, it was the most humiliating night of my life.***Any time I had a work dinner, Gerard made sure the butler, Raphael, left the lights on and waited—so he could barge in and start lecturing the second he got home.Tonight was no different.He rolled in around 3 a.m., after the lights had been burning for six hours.He checked every room before

Chapter 4

Gerard's yelling jerked Nadine awake.She latched onto my shirt, bawling.She was still so tiny—her cries barely made a sound, but damn, they hurt.I rocked her, whispering nonsense, hoping it'd help.Gerard? Just stood there, arms crossed, looking like I was the problem.Then Peggy called."Honey, when are you coming back? The food sucked. I want your cooking."Like magic, his whole vibe changed."Babe, what do you want? I'll hit the store now."He started listing dishes, then grabbed his coat and dipped.Outside, rain was coming down hard.He walked straight into it, umbrella up, all in for Peggy.I stayed behind, holding our crying kid, shivering as the cold seeped in.***After the party, Peggy stopped me, all smug, waving her phone.She couldn't figure out why I looked shaken when she called Gerard earlier.She unlocked her profile and tilted the screen toward me."Danielle, what was that look for? Don't tell me you didn't know Gerard and I have been together for

Chapter 5

No going out at night.That rule? Only for me.Gerard could sneak off to Peggy at 2 a.m. and no one blinked.I bit down hard, tears streaming."Raphael, look at her—she's having a real reaction. She needs a hospital. Please, just take us. We'll come right back, I swear."I was about to drop to my knees.But Raphael? Cold as stone.He blocked the door like a robot and told me to ask Gerard.I called. Again. And again.Each one declined.When someone finally picked up, it wasn't Gerard."Danielle, do you even know what time it is? Can you not? If it's so important, wait till Gerard wakes up."Peggy.Already hanging up.I screamed and begged, lowering my voice as much as I could. "Peggy, please. Wake him up. My daughter's having a severe allergic reaction. Just ask him to let Raphael drive us to the hospital.""Hospital?" she snorted. "Danielle, don't think playing the pitiful mom card is gonna win Gerard over. He loves me."I was begging now. "Peggy, I know. I'm not tryin

Chapter 6

My baby was gone—while Peggy was pregnant with the child Gerard actually wanted.It felt like my chest was being crushed from the inside.Barely keeping it together, I signed the death certificate, then took Nadine to be cremated.She was already so small. Now, she was nothing but ash in a palm-sized urn.That was all I had left.I stumbled back home in a haze.Gerard's father, Christopher was on the couch.He started to say something, then froze when he saw what I was holding."Wh-What happened?"A while later, Gerard walked in. Peggy, of course, was right behind him.***Peggy waltzed in like it was a meet-and-greet."Mr. Busch, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Peggy Madoff."Christopher's face dropped. He turned to Gerard, voice tight."Gerard, where have you been? Do you have any idea that Nadine, she..."He was about to say it—about to say Nadine had died.But Gerard was too busy fussing over Peggy, guiding her to the couch like she was made of glass.In the proce

Chapter 7

Gerard blinked. "What?"The left side of his face was already swelling.His eyes stayed glued to the ashes on the floor—no sadness, just straight-up contempt. "Danielle, you've really gone all out trying to get me to leave Peggy. She just found out she's pregnant, and now you're claiming Nadine is dead?"You even put some dust in a little jar to put on a show. Do you really think you and some kid matter in my family? What a joke."If it weren't for my parents pressuring me back then, I wouldn't have even looked at you."He wasn't wrong.We only got married because of my family's name—and the favor they did for his.Back when my dad and Christopher were finalizing a deal, Christopher collapsed from high blood pressure.Everyone panicked. Tried to move him.I was still a med student. Took one look and called it—a hemorrhage.Told them to stop, called 911, and kept him stable till help came.I saved his life.After he recovered, he thanked me in person—and pulled every string

Chapter 8

I wanted out the second Nadine was born.But our families, the company, the mess—it all made me stall.Mostly, I didn't want Nadine growing up asking why her dad bailed.But now she was gone.And there was nothing left holding me back.Gerard's eyes snapped wide, then he laughed—cold, nasty. "You serious? Have you lost it?"You drugged me, crawled into my bed, trapped me with marriage—played every card. Now you're over it?"Come on. Nadine dies and suddenly you're screaming divorce? What's your angle?"He never loved me. Hated Nadine even more.Because she wasn't part of his plan.That day, he snapped. Stormed in, shoved me onto the bed.No love. No warmth. Just rage.I pushed him off. He thought it was some twisted flirt game.His eyes were bloodshot. He held me down like I was nothing.Every thrust felt like punishment. Like he was trying to hurt me on purpose."Stop acting," he hissed. "Didn't you want this? Married me for this, right? Then take it. Cry all you want—j

Chapter 9

After Nadine died, I went home.My parents looked at me like they were scared to breathe wrong.I locked myself in my room.Didn't eat. Didn't drink. Just curled up with Nadine's ashes, hoping the pain would dull even a little.But life doesn't pause for grief.I turned in my resignation.Had to show up to wrap things up.The second I stepped into Busch Corp, the air shifted.Cold stares. Whispers everywhere.When I reached the sales floor to pack, it got worse—people didn't even bother hiding it.The same coworkers who once toasted me at the company dinner were now spitting venom."No wonder you didn't call your 'husband'—you were busy stealing Peggy's guy.""Is there any man you haven't slept with? You couldn't even pull off being a decent side chick. Working with you makes me sick."Peggy kept stirring the pot, and the rumors exploded.Before long, everyone at Busch Corp believed I slept my way into deals and stole Peggy's boyfriend.They said I envied everything she

Chapter 10

Three days later, Gerard and I stood outside the law firm.The place was swarming—reporters, influencers, all waiting with cameras ready."Mr. Busch, is it true you caused your daughter's death?""Sources say your father kicked you out—care to comment?""After divorcing Danielle Astor, are you planning to marry Peggy Madoff? Do you think you were a decent husband? A decent dad?"Gerard tried to speak, but nothing came out.He glanced at me like I'd save him.I didn't move. Just stared straight at his flashy suit.Seven days. Nadine had only been gone a week, and he was already dressing like he had something to celebrate.Gerard lowered his head, yanked off his jacket, and clutched it like it could save him.He pushed past the cameras and stopped in front of me.For once, he looked like he actually felt something."Danielle, I didn't know Nadine was really sick that day. I'm sorry—I swear I didn't know. If I had... I never would've..."He reached for my hand.I stepped bac

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