Chapter 3 :
Ash's POV ;
He didn't even hesitate, and within minutes, he responded, saying he'll be there.
Few hours later, I received the divorce papers with his signature on them.
After receiving the papers, I left the house immediately. A part of me felt nervous about meeting Elijah after what had happened between us, but another part was angry and determined to stand up to him.
As I approached the coffee shop, I saw him lean against his car. My breath caught in my throat when I saw him.
He looked as handsome as ever, dressed in his designed business suit, his dark hair swept back from his forehead, and his jawline was covered in stubble. His brown eyes met mine, and for a moment, it was like the air was sucked from my lungs.
But then I remembered what he had done, and my anger returned.
"Why the hell did you do that?" I demanded, not wasting any time.
He raised his eyebrows, faking innocence. "Do what?"
I resisted the urge to strangle him. "Buy 55% of our company's shares. How could you do this?"
His eyes darkened suddenly as he glared at me. "After the divorce, you are no longer my husband. So, I have every right to buy your company and destroy it."
His words were cold and cruel, and they sent a chill down my spine. He was really serious about ruining Luxe Gemstone. I had no idea he would go to such lengths to hurt me.
He's such a snake. He's taking his revenge for all those times he didn't hurt me in the marriage.
"You can't do this," I stated firmly. "My father founded Luxe Gemstone. It's my life's work."
He gave a short, humourless laugh. "Your father isn't alive, is he? Besides, you gave up on our marriage. Now, you have no right to claim anything."
His words were like a knife twisting in my heart. I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself. I glared at him. "But that company is mine and not yours. So, why are you doing this, Elijah? You are such a bastard."
His eyes darkened and I gulped. "Even if we got divorced. You still can't use that kind of language with me."
"Or what?" I challenged, feeling a rush of bravery. "What are you going to do?"
His hand shot out, gripping my wrist and tugging me closer. I gasped as his body pressed against mine. "I can think of a few things."
My cheeks flushed red at the contact. His touch made my body tingle, and I hated how easily he could affect me. I swallowed thickly. "I-I'll take that risk."
He smirked and released me. "I'm not here to waste time with your petty threats, Ash. So, if you're not going to agree to my demands, then you can say goodbye to your company."
I gritted my teeth. "And what are those demands?"
"You. I want you."
"What?" I blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
His eyes roamed over my body, making me shudder. "I want you. In my bed, every night, for the next month."
My face twisted in disgust. What is he even thinking? "You're out of your mind," I blurted out.
"It's a small price to pay to save your company," He let out calmly.
I hate how peaceful he was while I was seething with anger. He only wants me for my body. Even when we were married he would only let me get close to him when he wanted to have sex. And I would always be the one to make the first move.
"I'm not some cheap prostitute that you can buy with money. You have already cheated on me, Elijah. And you want to cheat again with me. Just leave me alone."
How weird is this man? He's so obsessed with cheating? First he cheated on me with Samantha, and now cheating on her with me. What an asshole.
I didn't want to hear his excuses or explanations. I just turned and walked away, hoping he wouldn't follow me. But to my dismay, he caught up with me and grabbed my hand.
"I wasn't done talking. Where are your manners?"
My blood boiled. The nerve of this man! To think that he would try to blackmail me like this, after everything he's done.
"We are no longer together. Leave me and my company alone," I said, wrenching my hand from his grip.
His eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer, invading my personal space. "You're making a big mistake. If you don't come with me, you will lose everything."
I held his gaze, unwavering. "I'll take my chances. Goodbye, Elijah."
With that, I turned and walked away. His threats and warnings meant nothing to me. I would not let him bully me into giving in.
But as the days passed, I found that his words were not just empty threats. He began to take over Luxe Gemstone, starting with the staff.
One by one, my employees left, saying they had better job opportunities. All the few small roles that I managed to get in movies, I got kicked out of them with lame excuses. My acting career almost ended.
Noah and I did our best to hold on, but the situation was dire. We were struggling to keep the company afloat.
And then, a week later, it happened. Our biggest client, the royal family of Ameres, cancelled their order. They had placed a massive order for their daughter's wedding, and without it, Luxe Gemstone was doomed.
I was devastated. All my hard work, all my father's dreams and ambitions, had come crashing down. Everything was ruined, and it was all because of Elijah.
He was determined to ruin me, and he was succeeding. However, what I didn't understand was why he was doing it? What's the reason? Divorcing him can't be the only reason, he's not that petty to take revenge on me like this.
No matter how big mistakes I have made in life, he never behaved like this. Then why did he behave like this suddenly?
I don't know why but I think the way he looks at me has also changed. He no longer has that gentle gaze. Instead, he would look at me with resentment and anger.
"What big mistake have I made that I'm not aware of?"
Noah's brows furrowed, my best friend and manager, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. "I'm not sure, but I think there's more to his hatred toward you than just the divorce. There's something else, something deeper, and he's using the divorce as an excuse to hurt you."
"Something else?" I murmured, trying to think of what that might be.
But what?
***********
Elijah's POV :
"Mr. Stone," Thomas began, "I have finally found the real culprit behind your parents' accident."
Thomas, my private investigator announced.
My chest tightened but still I silently prayed that the name Thomas was about to reveal wouldn't be of Ash.
The mere thought of Ash being responsible for my parents' deaths was unbearable. I don't want to destroy him, but then I won't have any choice.
Thomas continued, "The driver was a rich, spoiled boy. After the accident, his father fabricated the story and manipulated the law to protect his son. The boy who was driving the car that night was Ash. That famous actor.
My world tilted on its axis. I forced myself to remain calm, even as a storm of emotions raged within me. I nodded at Thomas, dismissing him. Once alone, I let my thoughts take over.
Four years ago, I lost my parents in a tragic road accident. It was clearly a hit and run, but it was ruled as a suicide by the police. But I never believed it.
My parents were always happy, we had a happy life, they had no reason to end their lives. At the time, I was just an ordinary man, powerless against the wealthy forces that controlled the narrative. But I had never stopped investigating because I knew there was more to the story.
Through a relentless quest, I discovered that someone from a wealthy family was involved in that accident.
My investigations led me to Darren, a prominent actor whose child was driving that car. But I had no evidence to prove that, also I had no idea which of his kids was driving.
Later, when I entered the entertainment industry, Darren helped me with a scholarship, which I definitely know was out of his guilt for what his child had done.
To get closer to the truth, I began visiting Darren's house, befriending his daughter, Samantha. I assumed she was responsible for it. Because Ash was very young at that time and couldn't do something like that.
That's why I always kept both of them closer to me. I never let Samantha leave, and also married Ash as his father asked, just to confirm my doubts as to which one of them is the real culprit.
But now, Thomas's disclosure shattered those assumptions. It had been Ash all along. The man I had come to care for, the person I thought was innocent, was the driver who took my parents' lives. My heart ached with betrayal and sorrow.
But I couldn't let go of my parents' memory, nor could I forgive Ash for his role in their deaths. I will bring him back into my life, but not out of love. I would force him to remarry me, and then I would ruin his life.
Only after I see him suffering the same pain, would I feel peace. That's the revenge my innocent parents deserve.
I will tear his world apart piece by piece until he would be begging on his knees to let him go.