Ashley was infuriated. She had decided to go into a cold war with Nathan, not that he cared anyway. The next day Ashley decided to go back to her natal home-velvet gardens to see her mother.
"Ash.", she heard a woman call. Ashley turned on to see a middle-aged woman in a brown suit. She had auburn colored hair and dark green eyes. She was basically an older version of Ashley. Behind her were four men and a woman. The middle-aged lady walked towards Ashley and hugged her.
"Mom.", Ashley called out, hugging her back. The famous Leticia Scott, who was known to be mean and cruel, was currently smiling at her daughter with gentleness in her eyes. "I've missed you." She then pouted "You never visit anymore." Ashley had a guilty look on her face "I've been busy."
Leticia then gave a knowing smile and nodded with a teasing voice, "I understand. Married life must be wonderful." There was a flash of pain in Leticia's eyes which did not go unnoticed by Ashley. It happened every time. Leticia seemed to hurt when she talked of marriage. Ashley had always thought that was the reason she never got married.
"Mom, I need to talk to you." Leticia glanced back at the people behind her and checked the time on her watch. "I have a meeting to be at right now."
Ashley wasn't going to give up "Then let's talk in the evening, alright?"
Ashley nodded with eagerness.
When Leticia turned back to the people behind her. Her smiling face became cold. There was a crease in her brows as she looked at the five as though they owed her.
Ashley was used to this attitude of her mother's. The woman was always smiley faced only towards her.
…..
Ashley waited till late in the evening before Leticia came back to the mansion. The middle-aged woman looked worn out making Ashley's heart hurt for her mother. She quickly walked towards Leticia and helped her to sit. She then handed her a glass of water.
"Thank you, honey." Leticia looked up and smiled. Ashley shook her leg as she watched Letitia go down her water anxiousness in her eyes. When Letitia put down the glass did Ashley speak, "Mom, I need to speak to you."
Leticia looked at the young woman with a smile, her smile was exactly like Ashley.
"What is it, honey?" Ashley breathed in deeply and gulped, her fingers trembling with absolute fear. She then began, her eyes staring deeply into her mother's. After a period of hesitation, she finally spoke, "Mom, I want to get divorced."
Ashley watched as her mother smiled faded, sternness clouding her expression. "What are you saying, Ashley?" Ashley's determination did not fade even after seeing her mother's expression. "Mom I'm not happy in this relationship. The two of us don't even love each other"
Leticia got up and stood in a professional manner, her face devoid of any smile. Ashley knew that look. Every time a Leticia did not agree with her ideas, this was the look she gave. The last time Ashley saw this look was when she refused to marry Nathan. "You two will learn to be happy. You will learn to love each other. Divorce is out of the question, Ashley"
"But mom- "Ashley stood up, her height the same as her mother's. Her next words were cut off by Leticia who raised her hand, indicating her to stop. After putting her hand back down, Leticia said in a domineering tone, "I got remarried to Nathan because I wanted the best for you. The Scotts aim for the best. You're a Scott, so act like one."
Ashley went back to the villa in a dejected state. She didn't understand why her mother didn't get her. It had been like this since childhood. Her mother always wanted her to do as she wanted.
The villa was empty. There were only a few people working in the villa. Their only job was to keep the villa clean and that was it. They were not even allowed to live there. Both Nathan and Ashley desired their privacy. The other chores were done by both Nathan and Ashley.
Currently, the workers weren't around, leaving Ashley alone in the large villa. After a while, Ashley heard the clicking of heels from the staircase. She was not surprised to see a brunette woman with dark brown eyes. She wore a bright red jumpsuit, and red heels.
"Hi, Ash." At this moment Ashley held her mother cold and indifferent look. The woman gave a bright smile, it looked as though she was mocking Ashley. "Nathan asked me to come over, but he's not here yet."
Ashley turned head gaze away from the woman. After years of marriage, she didn't care about her husband's affair.
Vanessa Thompson had been Nathan's lover during the entire four and a half years of marriage. Ashley hated the man even more when she found out about it. Seeing a naked woman in her marital bed was enough to hurt her even though she had no feelings for the man. After two years of marriage, Ashley had gotten used to Vanessa's presence. She no longer cared about Nathan and Vanessa's relationship.
Vanessa started towards the couch and sat on it before turning to look at Ashley. "Ash, how have you been? I haven't seen you in a while." Vanessa gave a gloating look. "You know, my trip with Nathan was so romantic. I had a lot…no, we had a lot of fun."
"Please don't call me ash." Ashley said and took out her phone from her bags after receiving a notification. "Why can't I call you Ash? We are friends, aren't we?" Ashley's attention was taken away from her phone when she heard footsteps from behind.
"Nathan!"
Vanessa rushed up to hug the male. Nathan's gaze went to the woman in his arms before moving to the woman on the couch.
"We need to talk."