‘Ash, tell , why? Why on earth did you marry that woman? You told you had no one you loved, no one you even liked, and that you would never love anyone. That’s why I left, because I knew you would never love either. But now... why? Why marry her?’
Genevieve looked as though he had betrayed her.
I leaned against the wall, eavesdropping in plain view.
‘Genevieve, I don’t owe you an explanation. Stop making a scene.’ Ashton’s tone was cold, without a trace of warmth.
I frowned.
If it had been any other woman, Ashton would have had her thrown out. At the very least, he wouldn’t have stood there listening to her whining.
He didn’t smile at her, true, but neither did he walk away.
‘I heard about her from Cassian. He told plenty. It was a marriage of convenience, wasn’t it? You only did it to get your family off your back. But now that your grandfather has passed and you’ve taken full control of LGH, you don’t need her anymore, do you? Why stay married? Even if you wanted to repay the favour, you didn’t need to marry her. Why her?’ Genevieve’s voice broke as she spoke, tears sliding gracefully down her foundationed cheek.
Ashton stayed silent.
I knew he wasn’t a man who wasted words on explanations. But I wanted him to explain this ti—that he hadn’t married out of gratitude, that what began as a sham marriage was no longer false.
‘Ash, my ankle, I think I twisted it, it hurts so much...’ Genevieve suddenly stumbled forward, collapsing against him.
I saw her fling herself into his arms, and that was enough. I turned and walked away.
I didn’t need to stay to know he would push her aside without hesitation.
After a slow lap around the garden, the chill finally drove back indoors.
As I stepped into the banquet hall, I almost ran straight into Ashton. His face was set, cold and stormy, as if sothing weighed heavily on his mind.
Was it Genevieve’s tears that unsettled him? Was that why he looked so grim?
‘Where did you go? I told you not to wander off.’ Ashton’s eyes flicked to mine, his voice cool and reproachful.
‘And since when do you get to police ?’ My temper flared at once. The sight of him outside with Genevieve in his arms was still fresh in my mind, and now he dared to scold ?
Ashton must have noticed sothing off in my tone. He caught my hand, his voice softening. ‘What’s wrong? You sound upset.’
His change of tone cooled my anger. ‘I ran into a creep and didn’t want him following , so I went outside for a walk.’
It was ant as a hint. I’d gone outside. I’d seen him with Genevieve. Surely, a man as shrewd as Ashton could read between the lines and offer an explanation.
‘Don’t wander off again. What if you got lost?’ His eyes were gentler now, no trace of censure left.
But still, he said nothing about Genevieve.
‘And you? Where did you go just now?’ I tilted my head, my eyes eting his.
‘I saw you’d vanished, so I went looking for you,’ he said.
So that was it. He wasn’t going to admit anything. I had given him the chance, and he had chosen silence.
That was his problem, not mine.
‘Go do what you need to do. I’m going to find sothing to eat.’ I turned towards the buffet table.
I had barely reached the buffet when a waiter, balancing a tray of drinks, collided with . The entire tray went over , soaking my dress and sticking to my skin in an uncomfortable, clammy ss.
‘I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry...’ The waiter’s face turned pale as he stamred apology after apology.
‘What happened?’ Ashton strode towards us.
‘It’s nothing. He didn’t an it, he just bumped into . Spilled wine, that’s all.’ I tried to soothe both of them. ‘No harm done. Go on, get back to work. Just be more careful next ti.’
The waiter looked close to tears. ‘Yes, yes, I will. Thank you... I’m really sorry.’
‘What’s going on here?’ Genevieve’s voice cut across the mont as she walked up.
My brows drew together. I didn’t like this woman, but I plastered on a polite smile. ‘Nothing.’
‘But your dress is soaked. You must be uncomfortable. Why don’t I take you upstairs to change? I brought two gowns, and we’re about the sa size. You can wear one of mine if you don’t mind.’ Genevieve smiled warmly, all generosity.
‘What happened?’ Cassian joined us. ‘Mira’s dress is ruined. She should change.’
Ashton nodded. ‘I’ll take you to the lounge upstairs.’
‘I’ll take her,’ Genevieve cut in quickly. ‘Soone’s waiting to talk to you, and besides, it’s easier with another woman.’ She was already on the phone, instructing soone to fetch the dress from her car.
‘Go on, I’ll handle it. She’s your wife, which makes her family,’ Genevieve said with a harmless smile.
‘Let Genevieve go with her,’ Cassian said. ‘There’s soone I want you to et.’
‘What, you don’t trust ? Don’t worry, I’ve no interest in won,’ Genevieve quipped.
‘Thanks, but I have another dress in the car,’ I said smoothly.
Whatever ga she was playing, whether or not she had put that waiter up to it, I couldn’t be bothered to care.
But I wasn’t about to put on her clothes, nor let her get anywhere near .
‘I’ll co with you,’ Ashton said.
‘Nah, I think I can handle a simple change of clothes.’
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