Chapter 302 A Closed Book
‘Ash, tell me, why? Why on earth did you marry that woman? You told me you had no one you loved, no one you even liked, and that you would never love anyone. That’s why I left, because I knew you would never love me either. But now… why? Why marry her?‘
Genevieve looked as though he had betrayed her.
I leaned against the wall, eavesdropping in plain view.
‘Genevieve, I don’t owe you an explanation. Stop making a scene.‘ Ashton’s tone was cold, without a trace of warmth.
I frowned.
If it had been any other woman, Ashton would have had her thrown out. At the very least, he wouldn’t have stood there listening to her whining.
He didn’t smile at her, true, but neither did he walk away.
I heard about her from Cassian. He told me plenty. It was a marriage of convenience, wasn’t it? You only did it to get your family off your back. But now that your grandfather has passed and you’ve taken full control of LGH, you don’t need her anymore, do you? Why stay married? Even if you wanted to repay the favour, you didn’t need to marry her. Why her?‘ Genevieve’s voice broke as she spoke, tears sliding gracefully down her foundationed cheek.
Ashton stayed silent.
I knew he wasn’t a man who wasted words on explanations. But I wanted him to explain this time–that he hadn’t married me out of gratitude, that what began as a sham marriage was no longer false.
‘Ash, my ankle, I think I twisted it, it hurts so much…‘ Genevieve suddenly stumbled forward, collapsing against him.
I saw her fling herself into his arms, and that was enough. I turned and walked away.
I didn’t need to stay to know he would push her aside without hesitation.
After a slow lap around the garden, the chill finally drove me back indoors.
As I stepped into the banquet hall, I almost ran straight into Ashton. His face was set, cold and stormy, as if something weighed heavily on his mind.
Was it Genevieve’s tears that unsettled him? Was that why he looked so grim?
‘Where did you go? I told you not to wander off. Ashton’s eyes flicked to mine, his voice cool and
reproachful.
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Chapter 302 A Closed Book
+15 BONUS
And since when do you get to police me? My temper flared at once. The sight of him outside with Genevieve in his arms was still fresh in my mind, and now he dared to scold me?
Ashton must have noticed something off in my tone. He caught my hand, his voice softening. ‘What’s wrong? You sound upset.‘
His change of tone cooled my anger. ‘I ran into a creep and didn’t want him following me, so I went outside for a walk/
It was meant as a hint. I’d gone outside. I’d seen him with Genevieve. Surely, a man as shrewd as Ashton could read between the lines and offer me an explanation.
‘Don’t wander off again. What if you got lost? His eyes were gentler now, no trace of censure left.
But still, he said nothing about Genevieve.
‘And you? Where did you go just now? I tilted my head, my eyes meeting his.
‘I saw you’d vanished, so I went looking for you,’ he said.
So that was it. He wasn’t going to admit anything. I had given him the chance, and he had chosen silence.
That was his problem, not mine.
‘Go do what you need to do. I’m going to find something to eat.‘ I turned towards the buffet table.
I had barely reached the buffet when a waiter, balancing a tray of drinks, collided with me. The entire tray went over me, soaking my dress and sticking to my skin in an uncomfortable, clammy mess.
‘I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry…‘ The waiter’s face turned pale as he stammered apology after
apology.
‘What happened?‘ Ashton strode towards us.
‘It’s nothing. He didn’t mean it, he just bumped into me. Spilled wine, that’s all.‘ I tried to soothe both of them. ‘No harm done. Go on, get back to work. Just be more careful next time.‘
The waiter looked close to tears. ‘Yes, yes, I will. Thank you… I’m really sorry.‘
‘What’s going on here?‘ Genevieve’s voice cut across the moment as she walked up.
My brows drew together. I didn’t like this woman, but I plastered on a polite smile. ‘Nothing.”
‘But your dress is soaked. You must be uncomfortable. Why don’t I take you upstairs to change? I brought two gowns, and we’re about the same size. You can wear one of mine if you don’t mind.‘ Genevieve smiled warmly, all generosity.
“What happened?’ Cassian joined us. ‘Mira’s dress is ruined. She should change.
Chapter 302 A Closed Book
+15 BONUS
Ashton nodded. ‘I’ll take you to the lounge upstairs.‘
‘I’ll take her,‘ Genevieve cut in quickly. ‘Someone’s waiting to talk to you, and besides, it’s easier with another woman.‘ She was already on the phone, instructing someone to fetch the dress from her car.
‘Go on, I’ll handle it. She’s your wife, which makes her family,‘ Genevieve said with a harmless smile.
‘Let Genevieve go with her,‘ Cassian said. ‘There’s someone I want you to meet.‘
‘What, you don’t trust me? Don’t worry, I’ve no interest in women,‘ Genevieve quipped.
‘Thanks, but I have another dress in the car,‘ I said smoothly.
Whatever game she was playing, whether or not she had put that waiter up to it, I couldn’t be bothered to
care.
But I wasn’t about to put on her clothes, nor let her get anywhere near me.
‘I’ll come with you,‘ Ashton said.
‘Nah, I think I can handle a simple change of clothes.”
