No Divorce
After that day, Emelie seemed to have vanished into thin air. Her phone was unreachable, and she didn’t reply to any messages on WhatsApp.
Ashley had even gone to Eastbay to look for William, but she didn’t see him. Instead, the maids told her that he had been hospitalized due to an illness.
Ashley reported the situation to the police, but they couldn’t provide her with any answers. So, she had to rely on her friends to help her find Emelie. © - All rights reserved.
Still, she felt that something was off. If Emelle had left sadely, she would have contacted them. She wouldn’t make them worry.
In the blink of an eye, it was now Thursday, the day of Ashley and Eas” divorce hearing.
According to the procedure, there would be a pre–trial mediation before the hearing. It was usually just a formality. As long as Ashley insisted on not reconciling and said that she wanted a divorce, the mediator wouldn’t object and would proceed with the hearing.
However, las arrived late and immediately dismissed the mediator. “I’ll handle my own wide. You may leave.”
The mediator felt awkward but left the room after hesitating for a moment.
Ashley said calmly, “If you agree to the divorce before the trial, we can part amicably and still be friends. After all, we are somewhat related. I don’t want to make things too ugly.” Elias sat on the simple black folding chair, as if it were a luxurious leather couch, with a lazy and playful demeanor, he said, “I’m not getting a divorce. You’re pregnant. Why would 1 get a divorce? Lcan’t let my child be born without
a father.
Ashley paused and raised her head.
Elias smiled. “Don’t even try to deny it. I’ve already received your ultrasound report”
Ashley asked coldly, “How did you get it?”
“You must be pregnant. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been so angry. Knowing your character, if you suspected that you were pregnant, you’d go to the hospital to confirm it. “Given your efficiency, you’d choose the hospital closest to your firm, which is Centra Hospital Thappen to have connections there, so I got the report.”
Ellas‘ boastful tone sounded sing to Ashley. “Having a lawyer as a wife sharpens your logic. It took me less than half an hour to get your report.”
Ashley retorted icily, “Do you think having this child means you can control me? Well, you’re mistaken. This child was conceived through your scheming, but it would be easy for me to get rid of it”
Elias raised an eyebrow. “But you want the child.”
She was only wearing flat shoes now and had given up coffee and tea. Her meals and rest were regular. It was clear she wanted to have this baby.
Ashley said with an expressionless face, “I can give birth and raise the child on my own. If the child needs a father, I can find another one. You are not irreplaceable.” Elias‘ smile faded.
After a few seconds, he threw a brown paper bag on the table. “You should take a look at this first”
Ashley glanced at it but didn’t take it. “What is it?”
Ellas gestured for her to look at it herself.
Only then did Ashley pick it up and open it. She palled out the stack of papers inside and immediately frowned.
“Thad someone review all the cases you’ve handled in the past ten years. Ash, you’re impressive. You’ve handled over a thousand cases, but there’s only one with a flaw,” Ehas said in
a deep voice.
Ashley stared at him. “So, you plan to use this to threaten me? If I don’t agree, you’ll expose this and ruin my career as a lawyer?”
Elias responded calmly, “If you stop being a lawyer, you can focus on your pregnancy
Anger flickered in Ashley’s eyes. Elias put down his leg and continued, “While I do want that, I won’t do it. I know you don’t want to be a full–time housewife. All I ask is that you agree not to mention divorce.”
Ashley was someone who could weigh the pros and cons and could distinguish between advantages and disadvantages.
She was already pregnant due to his scheming, and he would never agree to a divorce. She didn’t have time for the cat–and–mouse game of her running and him chasing. Keeping the facade of marriage wasn’t a big deal.
Ashley stood up. “The reason I won’t file for divorce is because of your threat, but I won’t forget your infidelity, switching my pills and blackmailing me,”
with that, Ashley left the mediation room without giving Ellas achance to explain. Ellas expression also darkened.
He knew Ashley well. She was truly angry at him this time.
He smirked with disinterest, took out a lighter from his pocket, and set the brown paper bag on fire.
itis expression remained disinterested as he watched the blue and orange flames burn the evidence to ashes.