Chapter 27 Come Over
Renting out the venue had its perks, Ashley mused; the restroom was safe from prying eyes and eavesdroppers.
Trinity didn’t hold back from the get-go, her sarcasm making clear she had no intention of playing nice. Just Ashley’s luck; she never had the patience to coddle anyone.
Her unfriendliness? Ashley wasn't there to serve.
A sudden flash of anger colored Trinity's face as she fixed Ashley with her elegantly shadowed eyes. “I always figured you for a gold-digger, marrying Damian just for his wealth. But hearing you admit it? Serves you right that your family’s bankrupt and labeled as deadbeats. Your parents, cowering in another country, too scared to come back, abandoned their home. What do you have to be smug about?"
Had this been three years prior, Ashley's heart would've ached with rage, fists clenched, ready to hurl a punch. But now, the worst had passed, the scorn and vilification had scabbed over. Painful, yes; unbearable, no, not to the brink of fury.
With a slight, alluring uptick of her lips, Ashley quipped, "So you've been secretly watching me all these years? Emulating my fashion, my choice in jewelry, living in the shadow I cast; does that sit well with you?"
Her gaze swept across Trinity's attire, her jewelry, and even the watch on her wrist. Ashley gave a feigned sweep of Trinity's shoulder with her fingertip. "Jealousy's a bitter pill, isn't it? Your crush, doting on me day and night, shared a bed with me and called me 'Honey'. It’s like he was bewitched, couldn’t stand a day without me, and willingly took care of my expenses, despite knowing I’m not in it for love."
Embarrassment flickered across Trinity's face.
Her choice of clothes, her favored jewelry brand; it all echoed Ashley’s past style. Trinity detested her own inability to look away, to change her taste. She loathed that her preferences matched Ashley’s and that she couldn't bring herself to like anything else.
"Ashley, you shameless woman!"
Trinity lashed out, her palm ready to deliver a slap.
A swift shadow darted in front of her; Ashley moved quickly, seizing Trinity's wrist with precision. Her grip tightened. “Trinity, being with the one you like is a question of ability. Save your energy for winning over that man instead of barking up the wrong tree."
"Let go!”
Driven to the edge of fury, Trinity seethed. She had come to set Ashley straight; how dare she be the one to get a taste of her own medicine!
Through clenched teeth, she growled, "If he loved you as you claim, why didn't Damian come to your rescue when the Astor family was under fire? Instead, he kicked you to the curb. With his help, the Astor family's financial crisis could've been averted. Your family wouldn’t have had to flee, tail between their legs. Face it, Ashley, he doesn't love you!"
He doesn't love her.
Despite the mask of serenity she wore, Ashley felt shattered within, a searing pain reaching deep into her bones.
If Damian did love her, he would never stand idly by as the Astor family collapsed, as creditors hounded them, as slander rained down on his in-laws, and as she pleaded and wept to no avail.
He simply didn't love her.
Hence, on that torrential rainy night, she stood outside his door, drenched, crying until her voice was hoarse, and he never said a word, never even glanced her way.
Had the butler not pulled her away out of pity, she might very well have perished that very night.
If she hadn't been so physically and emotionally devastated, perhaps ...
Her heart constricted.
Only those she cared about could hurt her this much.
Ashley despised her own weakness, her lack of dignity. Even then, Damian could tear her apart.
Quickly composing herself, she looked down at Trinity, "Let's get one thing straight, Trinity. That man outside, whom you're so eager to please, the man you're dying to share a bed with, I dumped him first. I got tired of him. It's after he lost me that he's stuck with someone lacking manners, intelligence, and attractiveness like you for a so-called 'wealthy clan merger’. Why don't you ask him if he regrets it?"
Trinity was stunned, her gaze fixed on the woman before her, who spoke with such composure and conviction that it almost seemed believable.
She dumped Damian?
How?... Trinity had done her homework; Ashley had pursued Damian, someone who hardly took notice of her.
Watching her confusion, Ashley gently tapped on her shoulder, "Damian's got it all, wealth, looks, and brains. He's set to inherit a business empire, but alas, the universe has a way of balancing the scales. When it gives abundantly, it takes something in return."
Her words were laced with innuendo, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
"What happened to him?" Trinity instinctively asked.
Ashley glanced at Trinity's skirt, shook her head with a rueful laugh, "A woman shouldn’t make things harder for another. Honestly, if I were to set you up with him, I'd be doing you no favors."
Unable to handle the runaround, Trinity withdrew her hand sharply, "Stop beating around the bush. What are you trying to say? Out with it!"
Ashley shrugged nonchalantly. "You know Trinity, I think we really hit it off since we're both such spirited people. So, here’s some friendly advice: if you don't mind playing the dutiful widow for the rest of your life, go ahead and marry him. You'll never run out of money, you'll be the apple of everyone's eye, and you can strut around town like you own the place. Sure, you might miss out on some night-time thrills, but that's not the end of the world, right?"
Trinity's head buzzed as if struck by lightning, her senses numbing. It took her a few seconds to find her voice. "Damian is... not capable?"
Ashley placed a slender finger to her lips, signaling for silence. "We're both smart women, no need to spell it out, is there?"
"But you were married for three years..." Trinity's head spun in confusion.
"Three years, over a thousand nights. Even if you tally it to once a week, that’s well over a hundred and fifty times. I’ve been so eager to secure my place in the Hearst family; surely I would have gotten pregnant by now, don’t you think? I mean, would I not want the status that comes with bearing an heir?"
Trinity had a sudden realization. Indeed, every woman married into a wealthy clan was desperate to have children, usually two within three years. Yet Ashley hadn't provided the Hearst family with a single child. With a child, even if the Hearsts wanted to kick her out, they would at least consider severance for the sake of the offspring.
Trinity, with a stiff neck and a slightly faltering confidence, contested, "Maybe it's you who has the issue. It's easy to throw dirt on Damian."
Rubbing her temples with a hint of sympathy, Ashley responded, "Okay, if you don’t believe me, go ahead and prove it for yourself. But tread carefully with your words; men hate having their shortcomings exposed, especially those... delicate matters.”
Trinity bit her lip, at a loss for words. How could she confirm it? Direct confrontation was out of the question; Damian would be livid.
The only way was to find an opportunity and "test" things herself. She could hardly believe Damian lacked prowess; some said a slim figure was indicative of certain abilities, and Damian’s was nothing short of proud and towering.
Ashley, noticing Trinity's silent daze, offered a slight smile, "I wish you all the best. May you and Damian tie the knot soon."
As they passed each other, Ashley’s confident and charismatic smile in the ladies’ room slowly faded into a pained grimace once she was alone.
After the dinner, Sean escorted Ashley away. Damian and Trinity followed suit, walking in the same direction toward the exit. Just as they reached the doors, Ashley’s phone rang.
Glancing at the caller ID and catching Damian subtly checking his own phone from the corner of her eye, she decided to ignore the call. He walked with an unhurried swagger, hands in his pockets, gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
Ashley let the call go to voicemail.
Sean saw her hang up and said, "Ashley, wait a sec, I'll get the car."
"Okay, I'll wait here for you."
Ashley nodded, her gaze returning to the illuminated phone screen.
Damian: [Come over]
