Chapter 5 Stepping down as girlfriend
The sharp ring of the doorbell sliced through my thoughts, interrupting my quiet morning as I was brushing my hair. I glanced at my watch–5:45 AM. Too early for any normal visit. Who on earth could it be at this hour?
“One second!” I called out, quickly securing my hair in a messy knot and hurrying toward the door.
The security camera beside the door revealed two men in dark suits. They weren’t your typical butler types, but I recognized them immediately as Bradley’s men. Each held a small leather case, clearly carrying something more important than breakfast.
“Miss Ashley, Mr. Martin has sent us with
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a delivery, one of them said, his head respectfully bowed, his tone stiff and professional.
Of course. Bradley. His control over every aspect of my life wasn’t just suffocating–it was becoming unbearable. I hesitated for a moment, weighing my options. The last thing I wanted was to escalate things, but Bradley needed to understand–I didn’t need him watching my every move.
“Tell him I’m not interested,” I said, grabbing my bag and slipping into my shoes.
The man blinked, caught off guard by my response, but I wasn’t finished. “And tell him to stop sending anyone. I’m fine. Always have been, always will be.”
I opened the door and stepped out. “I have somewhere to be. I’m sure he’ll understand.”
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The men exchanged quick glances but didn’t argue. As they turned to leave, I slipped them some cash. “For the trouble. Get yourselves something decent for breakfast”
One of the men cleared his throat. “Miss, we really shouldn’t-”
I waved my hand dismissively. “It’s fine. Just take it.”
Without waiting for a response, I hurried down the stairs and made my way to work. The early morning air was cool, and for a moment, I basked in the feeling of freedom, the absence of Bradley’s shadow hanging
over me.
The office was quiet when I arrived, the usual morning lull settling over the space. A few colleagues were scattered across the area,
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either typing away or reviewing papers. It wasn’t much, but at least this place was mine–where Bradley had no control, at least for now.
Rafael, my boss, was already buried in work, his sharp gaze scanning through documents. He didn’t acknowledge me as I passed by, which was just fine–I didn’t need any extra attention today. I settled into my desk and threw myself into work, determined to keep my mind off the events of the morning.
By 10 AM, my phone buzzed relentlessly, a flood of notifications demanding my attention. I turned off airplane mode and saw. Bradley’s name lighting up the screen again and again.
Bradley. [Did you receive the delivery?]
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Bradley. [Why did you send my men away?]
Bradley. [Are we still fighting?]
Six missed calls from Bradley.
With a sigh, I stepped into a quieter corner of the building and reluctantly answered his call.
“Why did you turn my men away, Ashley?” Bradley’s voice came through, controlled but edged with barely contained frustration. If he were standing in front of me, I could picture it–eyes narrowed, jaw clenched, that familiar look of annoyance.
“I told you, I didn’t need it,” I said evenly, keeping my tone calm.
“You’re pushing me away for no reason,” he growled. “I sent them to take care of you.
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Why are you being so stubborn?”
I almost laughed. Stubborn? “Bradley, I can take care of myself. I don’t need you controlling every aspect of my life.”
There was a brief silence on the other end, and I could almost hear him pacing. “I’m trying to make things easier for you, Ashley. That’s all. We’ve been through this-”
I cut him off, my patience quickly evaporating. “Oh, right. Like how you were making things ‘easier‘ when you started throwing out my things and pretending it was for my benefit?”
A heavy silence followed. He knew exactly what I meant.
“I was looking out for you. Hallie needed help -she’s been through a lot,” he said, his voice
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softening.
I gritted my teeth. There it was again.
Hallie. Always Hallie. He could twist his words a thousand different ways, but the result was always the same. Every time, she came first.
“Oh, I see. Poor Hallie, so delicate, so fragile. You had to feed her with my food, right?” My voice dripped with bitterness.
“Ashley, this isn’t about her.” His tone softened, but I wasn’t buying it.
“No, of course it’s not, I shot back, sarcasm biting through every word. “It’s about you and your need to control everything around you!”
“Ashley-” he started, but I wasn’t interested
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in hearing more.
“I’m done with this conversation,” I interrupted, the finality in my voice clear. “I’ve got work to do.”
I ended the call abruptly, switched my phone back to airplane mode, and made sure Bradley couldn’t interfere with the rest of my day.
As I returned to my desk, I fought to
suppress the anger clawing at me. But the memories from months ago resurfaced, unbidden.
I’d walked into Bradley’s penthouse one afternoon, carrying lunch for him–because I knew how he often neglected to eat when buried in work. But when I stepped inside, Hallie was already sitting at the dining table, enthusiastically devouring the meal
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I had prepared for him. Bradley barely acknowledged my presence, too absorbed in his endless business calls.
“Thanks, Ashley! This is amazing!” Hallie had chirped between bites. “If Bradley doesn’t want this, I’ll gladly take it.”
That was the moment the truth hit me–l would always be second to her.
Later, my thoughts were shattered when Jeff, Bradley’s trusted lieutenant, called.
“Ashley,” he said, his tone low, almost hesitant. “You need to come to the club. Bradley’s not happy about how things are going.”
Of course he’s not, I thought with a bitter edge.
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“Fine. I’ll be there.”
I hung up, knowing full well this
confrontation with Bradley was unavoidable. No matter how much I tried to distance myself, in this world, no one truly walked away from a man like Bradley Martin.
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