Chapter 313 One Crisis After Another
+15 BONUS
Chapter 313 One Crisis After Another
That evening, some of Ashton’s friends arrived, including Cassian Langford and… Genevieve.
I glared at Cassian. He touched his nose sheepishly. ‘Her parents called my parents, who called me. What was I supposed to do?‘
You could have ignored the call, I wanted to say. Or stood your ground and refused to bring her.
Genevieve barreled into the ward and flung herself at Ashton’s bedside, sobbing. ‘Ash, are you all right? How did this happen? Who did this? Oh my God, I’m so scared!‘
I watched her with a sour expression. Why didn’t Ashton push her away? The sight stung.
‘Ash, you’re always so careful. Who could have hurt you like this?‘ Genevieve said through her tears, all concern and theatrical distress.
‘Enough. Leave me alone, I’m fine.‘ Ashton frowned and gently shoved her back.
Reluctantly, Genevieve released him, dabbed at her eyes, and turned to me with an apologetic look. ‘I’m sorry, Mirabelle. I lost control. I know you don’t like it when Ash and I get close, but we grew up together-‘
“The patient needs rest. You can all leave now.‘ I kept my voice flat.
‘All right, we’ll go. Call me if you need anything,‘ Cassian chirped.
Genevieve, however, had no intention of leaving. ‘I’ll stay and help. Mirabelle is young and untrained, she can’t possibly look after Ash on her own.‘
I felt my temper flare, but I said nothing. I wanted to see what Ashton would do.
‘Enough fuss. Come on, let’s go.‘ Cassian hauled Genevieve up.
She struggled, but she wasn’t as strong as him and he dragged her away.
After they left, the mood between Ashton and me shifted. It had been fine before, but now my chest felt tight and heavy.
‘Are you mad?‘ Ashton asked.
‘Why would I be?‘ I met his eyes.
‘Good. Do you want something to eat?‘ Ashton offered.
‘Don’t change the subject.‘ I glared. ‘You must know Genevieve likes you. She practically wears her heart on her sleeve.‘
‘So? She’s just a friend.‘ Ashton corrected after a beat, ‘An acquaintance, really.‘
1/4
Chapter 313 One Crisis After Another
+15 BONUS
‘An acquaintance who throws herself at you, who cries as if she’s the one bleeding,’ I said sourly.
A corner of Ashton’s mouth twitched. ‘Are you jealous?‘
I wanted to fling something at him to wipe that smug smile off his face. Lacking a suitable object, I tried words instead. ‘If you ever get bored with me, just say so. I promise the divorce won’t be messy.’
Ashton’s face fell. ‘Mirabelle, do you want a divorce?‘
I shrugged. ‘I’m only saying it in case you change your mind one day. There are plenty of women queuing up. Who knows if you might fancy a change?‘
‘Are you regretting it? Regretting marrying me?‘ Ashton suddenly grabbed my wrist hard, twisting until I cried out in pain.
‘Ow… let go, that hurts.‘ I shouted. ‘Ashton, let go, it hurts.‘
‘What? You want me to let go? You promised to marry me, you are my wife, and you will be mine for life. You want me to let go? That’s impossible.‘ His teeth were clenched and his grip tightened as if he wanted to crush my hand.
‘It hurts… let go…‘ My voice shook.
He realised he’d gone too far and let go at once. I breathed out, but my wrist was already red and would
bruise.
I glared at him. He looked away, then held out his right hand.
‘What now?‘ I snapped.
‘Return the favour,‘ he said. ‘An eye for an eye.‘
I rolled my eyes. ‘I’m not a child. Besides, I don’t want to be known as the cold–hearted woman who beats up her husband straight after he’s been in surgery for a gunshot wound.‘
I was still furious; I had zero tolerance for being struck.
The last time a man had laid a hand on me, I broke off our engagement and smashed a bottle over his head, and that was Rhys.
But Ashton…
I forced myself to look at his bandage and bit back the retort.
He was usually so composed, but lately, he’d been slipping into moods I barely recognised. Calm and suave one moment, grim and dangerous the next whenever the idea of divorce came up.
It was like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, only the trigger was the D–word.
2/4
Chapter 313 One Crisis After Another
+15 BONUS
At that moment, Harry returned with some food.
And disappointing news.
‘Mr Laurent, I’ve already put people on it, but there are no leads yet,‘ Harry said, his brow creased as he looked at Ashton. ‘The people who attacked you today are mercenaries from out of the country. We can’t trace them.‘
Ashton nodded.
‘Eat first,’ he said, glancing at me.
I picked up my fork, but my mind was somewhere else, looping over the gunman and the driver in the baseball cap.
Who were they? Why were they after me, or was it Ashton they wanted?
I hadn’t missed the quick look Harry gave Ashton when he thought I wasn’t watching.
Harry clearly knew more than he had told me, but why keep it from me?
My thoughts were interrupted by the phone. I answered. ‘Hello?‘
‘Mira, it’s a disaster, come to the studio right now!‘ Priya’s voice was panicked. ‘One of our clients has called and she’s furious. There’s a problem with the design we sent. I can’t explain everything on the phone, just come now.‘
‘What do you mean?‘ I asked.
‘I can’t explain it clearly over the phone.‘ Priya sounded out of breath. “The client is threatening to sue. She says it’s more than just money, she’s calling this a breach and claims we’ve caused her to miss an important event. It’s serious. Please, Mira, hurry.‘
She was on the verge of tears. I felt my stomach drop.
‘Okay, I’m coming,‘ I said, setting down my fork and looking at Ashton.
“The studio?‘ he asked.
‘Yes. It’s urgent. I have to go.‘ I hesitated. ‘Will you be all right here?‘
