Divorced and Dominant Now You Cry novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Renee’s attitude was firm. She was still hoping that Roxy and Ashton would get back together. Therefore, if Calvin were allowed to stay in the Sloan residence, the rift between them would truly widen beyond repair.

“Mind your attitude, Renee! Calvin is my… friend!” Roxy chided.

“If he’s just a friend, then he shouldn’t cross the line! Don’t forget that you and Ashton aren’t officially divorced yet, Roxy!”

“That’s enough! Calvin, go back to the hotel tonight.”

Roxy was feeling rather frustrated and didn’t want to keep arguing about this.

Having his plan foiled made Calvin glare at Renee in resentment, but he maintained a gentlemanly smile and said to Roxy, “Alright, then. You’ve had a long day. I’ll pick you up tomorrow and accompany you to the courthouse. Once we get that sorted out, we can go somewhere to have a proper celebration!”

Meanwhile, Renee jogged over to Ashton and said quietly, “Don’t worry, Ashton. I’ll keep an eye on Roxy. I won’t let anyone get the chance to swoop in on her!”

Taking in Renee’s innocent expression, Ashton said nothing. Once he and Roxy were officially divorced, she would be forced to accept the outcome.

“Is Celia asleep?” Ashton asked.

Renee hesitated for a moment before admitting, “Celia was crying just now, but she wiped her tears away the moment I entered her room.”

Ashton’s heart ached. Celia, his young daughter, was his precious little darling and a source of warmth for him. That was the reason why he always gave in to Roxy’s demands.

But alas…

“Don’t worry too much, Ashton. Celia’s a really sensible child, and she has me. I won’t let anyone hurt her.”

“Thank you, Renee. Once I’ve settled down, I’ll find a way to take her with me.”

Renee’s eyes dimmed. “Ashton, Roxy’s actually—”

“Renee, every story begins abruptly, often catching us off guard, but it will always end with a parting–two people going their separate ways. From the moment I signed the divorce papers, it signaled the end of all the feelings Roxy and I ever had for each other,” Ashton calmly declared.

He was a sentimental man who fully devoted himself when it came to love. If not for that, he wouldn’t have given up everything just to spend an eternity with Roxy.

But at the same time, he was a decisive man and not one to waver over his decisions.

“No matter what, I’ll always think of you as my brother–in–law,” Renee said.

“And you’ll always be like family to me, Renee.”

The closeness Renee and Ashton shared made Roxy’s eyebrows jump.

“Remember to be ready at 9:00 am tomorrow, Ashton. Don’t be late. I don’t have the time to wait around for you!” Roxy snapped before yanking Renee into the house.

1/2

Chapter 14

+25 Bonus

Once they were inside, her mind was a mess. Too many things had happened today. She hadn’t had time to process it all yet.

“Roxy-”

“Save it. I’m going to check on Celia.”

Roxy knew full well what Renee wanted to say. Renee was just going to go on and on about how everything she had was the result of Ashton backing her up. She would probably wax lyrical about how wonderful Ashton was–and that she, Roxy, was the one who didn’t know her heart.

Well, she’d heard enough of that, and she didn’t think a single bit of it was true. On the contrary, she firmly believed that Ashton had been holding her back the whole time.

“Celia…” Roxy called out as she gently opened the door to Celia’s room.

There was no response.

She sat down beside Celia and felt a pang in her heart when she saw the tears that were still clinging to the corners of Celia’s eyes. She began to blame Ashton for everything again.

Celia wouldn’t be this upset if Ashton had only just accepted the gracious and dignified offer she’d made him.

“I know you’re upset with me, Celia. But I deserve to pursue my own happiness. I have the freedom to do what’s best for me. In the future, I’ll be giving you an even bigger and better business empire. One day, you’ll realize that I’m doing the right thing,” Roxy murmured.

After tucking Celia in properly, she turned to sneak out of the room.

“Mommy…”

Roxy halted in her tracks.

Without turning around to look at her, Celia said, “Daddy is the best daddy in the world. You’re wrong to divorce Daddy.”

Roxy felt a sharp pain in her chest. Why couldn’t even her own daughter understand her? Had she spent too little time with Celia?

But she wasn’t Ashton, who had no career of his own and wasted his life away with nothing to show for it–who only cared about living happily ever after with his family. She had far loftier and more ambitious goals!

212