Chapter 11
Ashton had found out that the marriage certificate was fake.
Every second, Claire found it harder to breathe as she pondered how he had found out.
In a flash, it all came back to her.
That day, when Ashton had returned from the city hall and stood by the door asking those questions, he already knew the truth.
More details flooded her mind, including the moment he had said a wedding was off on the phone, his growing indifference, and the way he pushed her closer to Curtis…
Despair was written all over Claire’s face. She collapsed to her knees, helpless.
So, Ashton had planned to leave her a week ago, yet she had known nothing. She had missed the final, fleeting chance to make things right.
All she ever wanted was to help Curtis; she never wanted to leave Ashton. How could he just walk away so coldly and resolutely?
The least he could’ve done was give her a chance to explain everything….
Left with no choice, Claire could only repeatedly dial Ashton’s number. Even while her fingertips were smearing the screen with blood, she still wouldn’t stop.
Ashton received more than 100 missed calls as soon as he touched down in Novaport. It was only then that he realized he had forgotten to block Claire’s number.
Still, he couldn’t understand. Shouldn’t she be spending her time with the love of her life instead? What were all those missed calls for?
Amid his daze, his phone rang again. He swiped the screen and answered the call with trembling fingers.
Claire’s choked voice filled his ear the next second. “Where are you, Ash? I’ll come to you right now. Please, let’s talk…”
Ashton’s brows furrowed at her words. “There’s nothing more to talk about. The moment you chose Curtis, that was the end of our relationship.
“Also, please don’t try to reach out anymore. We don’t have to make it harder than it already is.”
The thread that had been pulled taut in Claire’s heart all afternoon finally snapped when she heard him say it was over.
With reddened eyes, she roared, “We’ve been together for six years, Ashton! Don’t you have any trust in me? Can’t you at least give me a chance to explain myself?”
Ashton let out a bitter laugh, unable to contain the fury behind his smile.
“Explain yourself? You mean, you were going to explain how you married Curtis but handed me a fake marriage certificate like it was nothing? Where did you even find the audacity to ask for my trust, Claire?”
Her face drained of color, then flushed a deep red, humiliated by the sharp sting of his words.
“Ash, I only did that to help him. You’re the only one I’ve ever loved. Please–don’t walk away from us now, not when we’re so close to our wedding. Give me one more chance, please…”
