Ashley froze for a moment, completely thrown off by Kevan's presence.

In a voice weighed down by cold, Kevan asked, "Should I help you find a lawyer?"

Ashley shook her head right away. "There's no need for that."

She never cared about getting a single cent. She only brought it up to provoke Lisette and nothing more.

Kevan let out a quiet laugh that held nothing but scorn. "I really misjudged you, Ashley. What made you believe you had the right to demand a share of my wealth?"

Hadn't she already lived a life filled with everything luxury could offer?

Those words stung deep. Ashley pushed a smile onto her face. "I was messing around. I don't have time to scheme like that. If you're worried, I can put it in writing."

Fury crept across Kevan's features, darkening them by the second.

Lisette used that moment to tilt her head forward, exposing the red mark Ashley left on her cheek. "Kevan, did I do something wrong? Why else would she strike me?"

Once he took in the sight of Lisette's swollen face, a sharp glint cut through Kevan's eyes as he turned on Ashley. "You laid a hand on her? What gave you the right?!"

His words struck Ashley so hard that her breath hitched, leaving her chest tight and aching.

Three years of standing by his side, and her own husband chose to shield another woman while tearing her down.

Kevan really was unbearable.

Ashley met his glare without flinching. "It was just a slap. After everything you two have put me through, this doesn't even begin to measure up. You both should get far worse."

Kevan's eyes thinned into a chilling line. "What are you implying?!"

Ashley refused to drag herself through the filth of his betrayal. The memory alone was enough to turn her stomach. "Forget it. You should have the divorce papers by now. Sign them as soon as you can."

His brows jerked in anger. He hadn't imagined she would push him toward ending things so quickly, as if she could hardly wait to be done with him. Rage surged through him. "Be at my office tomorrow at ten. If you're late, I won't bother waiting!"

A quiet, cold laugh slipped from Ashley before she turned and strode off.

She had never been eligible to attend the summit on her own. Rosanna had passed her the invitation. She thought she could use the event to search for work, yet seeing Kevan and Lisette together ruined any desire to stay a second longer.

Much later that night, Kevan returned home. Out of habit, he slipped off his coat and held it out, expecting familiar hands to take it. No one came. The emptiness startled him, and it hit him only a moment later that Ashley had asked for a divorce.

His gaze drifted toward the vacant sofa, and a weight settled heavily in his chest, as though something irreplaceable had slipped away.

For three years, she had been there almost every night, sitting exactly in that spot while waiting for him.

Unable to shake the suffocating tightness in his ribs, he called out, "Jane, make me a bowl of chicken soup."

Half an hour later, Jane White set the steaming bowl on the dining table. "Mr. Ford, your soup is ready."

Kevan lifted the spoon for a single taste before pushing it aside, the flavor striking him as disappointingly plain. "Jane, your cooking needs work."

"Mr. Ford, even if I learned every recipe out there, I still wouldn't be able to match the way Mrs. Ford made this. You probably never noticed since you were always occupied with business, but she spent hours on your chicken soup. She cleaned everything piece by piece and watched the pot the entire time. Too much heat ruined the texture, and too little kept the aroma from coming out. She stayed right beside it until it was perfect."

A shadow crossed Kevan's eyes as he shifted the subject. "Jane, where is my light blue shirt?"

Confusion flickered across her face. She had no idea. Ashley had always taken care of his clothes, and she had never needed to step in.

Before she managed a reply, Kevan ordered, "Call Ashley."

Jane let the call run almost to its final ring before Ashley finally answered.

Still half-asleep, Ashley asked, "Why are you calling me at this hour?"

Keeping her gaze on Kevan, Jane quickly asked, "Mrs. Ford, do you happen to know where Mr. Ford's light blue shirt ended up?"

The question pulled Ashley fully awake, and annoyance settled in as she assumed Kevan was doing this just to rile her up before sunrise. She replied, "We're getting divorced. I'm not dealing with his things anymore."

Kevan lifted his brows at her biting tone and remarked, "Ashley, I haven't agreed to any divorce. If you're unwilling to say it over the phone, then come back here and look for it yourself."

Ashley fought the urge to snap at him and said, "Third row. Left side. Section A."

Only after blurting it out did she remember buying that shirt for their second anniversary. He hated the gift so much that he never wore it.

Yet now, when everything between them was breaking apart, he suddenly cared enough to look for it.

Kevan spoke as calmly as ever. "And which tie am I supposed to wear with it?"

Ashley felt her irritation spike and retorted, "Last I checked, you hired someone to handle your wardrobe at home. Calling me at this hour makes me wonder if you're having trouble sleeping without my help."

Kevan let out a low chuckle and responded, "Don't flatter yourself. You were the one obsessed with picking out everything for me, even my underwear. Wasn't that the one thing you were ever committed to?"

Ashley pressed her phone so hard it nearly slipped from her grasp, her chest tightening with every word.

Though she had always known Kevan never really cared, hearing it out loud still cut deep.

How could he treat everything she did as worthless, brushing her aside without a second thought?

"Kevan, I don't want anything to do with your life anymore. Please stop calling me. I'll come by the office at ten tomorrow. After that, let's just disappear from each other's lives."

Kevan's patience snapped at her constant talk of separation. "I'm tired of this back and forth. What's it this time? Do you want money, luxury bags, or is your father having trouble again?"

Ashley stiffened and muttered, "All I want is a divorce."

There was a time when she had chased after Kevan's love, but that longing had faded. Someone else could take his place.

Kevan's hand clenched the phone, tendons showing white beneath his skin. "Ashley, this is your last chance. Come back home before ten tomorrow, and I'll pretend you never asked for a divorce."

Determined to put an end to everything, Ashley set alarm after alarm for the morning, ready to walk away for good. Life, though, had other plans. A car from the opposite lane veered straight into her path and crashed into the front of her car. In the split second before everything went black, only one thing mattered.

If she didn't leave Kevan for good, even dying wouldn't give her peace.

Ashley's next memory was waking up in a hospital bed, her head pounding and pain radiating through every inch of her body.

Blood stained the bandages wrapped around her shoulder, and the sharp tang of iron filled the room.

While adjusting the IV line, a nurse kept her from sitting up. "You suffered a concussion in the crash. The scans don't show anything serious, but you'll need to be monitored for a while. Please let your family know to come and help with the paperwork and expenses."

Often, the worst effects of a car accident took hours to show up.

A sudden realization crossed Ashley's face, and she asked urgently, "Can you tell me what time it is?"

"It's five in the afternoon. Is something wrong?"

Ignoring the pain that shot through her body, Ashley reached for her phone and quickly tried to call Kevan. He didn't pick up. She tried once more, but still got no response. After the second failed attempt, frustration bubbled up inside her.

After steadying herself, she turned to the nurse. "Would you mind letting me borrow your phone for a moment?"

She suspected Kevan was screening her calls on purpose—he had done it before.

The nurse agreed and handed her the phone.

Ashley punched in Kevan's number, and this time he picked up right away. "Who's calling?"

So it was true—he had been ignoring her all along. It stung that a stranger could get through, but she, his wife, could not.

She steadied her nerves and answered, "It's me."

Before Ashley could finish her thought, Kevan's sharp voice cut through the air like a whip. "Ashley, didn't you say you'd come by to finalize the divorce? I don't have time for your nonsense. Come back tonight."

A lump formed in Ashley's throat. She opened her mouth to respond, but then Lisette's sugary voice interrupted. "Kevan, thank you for endorsing me for that exclusive designer jewelry."

Kevan's tone softened immediately, almost melting. "You're welcome."

The sudden warmth in his voice made Ashley's chest tighten painfully. He had never sounded like that with her.

She shut her eyes briefly, swallowing the bitterness rising inside. "Kevan, I didn't make it to the office on time because I was in a car accident. Please just send me the signed divorce papers."

When he heard that, Kevan's anger flared. "Do you really expect me to buy such a lame excuse? You're as sneaky as you were three years ago."

Ashley felt her blood turn ice cold. While she was lying injured, her husband was off with another woman, and now, not only did he doubt her, but he was also accusing her of lying.

"If you hate me that much, just end this. Send the divorce papers signed," she said through clenched teeth.

No sooner had Ashley spoken these words than a sharp, searing pain exploded in her head. She cut the call abruptly, barely stifling a cry of agony.

The physical pain twisted with the emotional stress, almost causing Ashley to stumble.

A nurse immediately rushed to her side, steadying her gently. With a soft look, she suggested, "Ma'am, maybe you should try calling someone else?"

Ashley nodded weakly and was about to reach for her phone to dial Rosanna when a familiar voice floated closer. "Ashley, is that really you?"

It was Preston, the president of Galaxy Entertainment, the very company Rosanna had suggested Ashley join.

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Ashley's face as she met her former boss's concerned gaze. "Yes, it's me. What brings you to the hospital, Mr. Lloyd?"

Preston placed a box of fruit gently on the table, his eyes never leaving her. "I came to check on you. The person responsible for your accident is actually one of my artists. Apparently, someone tampered with her brakes, which caused the crash. How are you feeling? Any pain or discomfort anywhere?"

He had been restless ever since he heard about the accident, worrying nonstop about the woman involved.

Now, seeing her in front of him, he felt some relief.

Ashley's fingers tightened around the bedsheet. "I'm alright. But who was the celebrity that hit me?"

Preston explained honestly, "Her name is Sophie Collins. She's already cooperating with the police. The investigation shows her brake lines were cut. If you're worried, I can help arrange another inspection."

Ashley didn't know the woman and trusted the police to handle the matter properly. She didn't want unnecessary trouble. "There's no need. It was probably just an unfortunate accident."

After all, accidents happened every day, and she had simply been unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Preston continued watching her with a protective gaze. "I'll keep an eye on the situation for you. By the way, I heard you attended the industry summit last night. If you're looking for a job, why not consider Galaxy Entertainment? We'd welcome you anytime."

Ashley pressed her lips together, already knowing she didn't want to return.

Years ago, at the peak of her career, she had walked away from the company without hesitation, despite Preston's persistent efforts to get her to stay.

On the day she resigned, he had even confessed he liked her.

As she remembered that moment, her fingers unconsciously curled a little tighter. "Thank you, Mr. Lloyd, but I might find employment elsewhere."

However, Preston wasn't ready to give up. He spoke plainly, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. "If the reason you won't come back is because you know I like you, that's a shame. I'm not going to make things uncomfortable just because you don't return my feelings, and I'll never use my position to force you into anything."

Without waiting for her response, he continued, "I don't know what you've gone through in the past three years, but I do know that Galaxy Entertainment is the best place for you to rebuild your career."

Galaxy Entertainment was a giant in the industry—its reach, influence, and resources were unmatched.

As he spoke, the past three years replayed in Ashley's mind—Kevan's constant belittling, his comparisons to Lisette, and the way he chipped away at her confidence bit by bit.

She lifted her eyes to Preston again and finally nodded. "You're right, Mr. Lloyd. I do need Galaxy Entertainment's platform. I look forward to working with you."

Preston smiled, the corners of his eyes softening. "Likewise. Looking forward to it."