Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 113: What happened?

Chapter 113: What happened?

Ashley stared at him, speechless. Then, she laughed. It wasn’t loud. It was soft, breathless.

"You’re kidding, right?"

Silence.

A frown slowly settled on her face. She quietly slid off his lap. Lorenzo’s heart skipped. This—this was exactly why he hadn’t wanted her to find out. Now he feared it would push her away again.

"Ashley, I was going to tell you eventually. I swear, I didn’t mean for you to find out like this," he said quickly, rising to his feet, hands gently holding her shoulders, his gaze pleading.

He was just starting to earn her trust, he couldn’t ruin that again.

"Now it makes... sense," Ashley murmured, avoiding his eyes. "Grey Group mysteriously offering us a partnership. It was you all along. Why didn’t I see it?" Her voice was quiet, breathy. She slipped from his grasp and sat back down on the couch.

Lorenzo turned to face her. "Ashley, that was just my way of helping you. You needed it, and I had to do it discreetly because back then, you wouldn’t have accepted help if you knew it came from me."

"Now I feel like I didn’t earn any of it," she said in a low voice. "Like you just handed it to me... just like my grandpa handed me the company. Maybe they were right. Maybe I don’t deserve the position at all."

Lorenzo swallowed a lump, hating how she was belittling herself.

"Hey, baby. What are you saying?" He knelt in front of her, cupping her face. "You’re doing so much better than you give yourself credit for. You know that, right?"

Her heart thudded in her chest, but she said nothing.

"I’m sure your grandfather didn’t hand you the company just because you’re his granddaughter. He’s a businessman—he saw potential in you. A potential you need to start seeing in yourself."

She slowly met his gaze, heart pounding at the intensity in his eyes. The sincerity.

"You’re doing great with the company. I’ve seen the statistics—and honestly, I’m amazed. Even without the Grey Group partnership, I think you’d still be killing it."

Her eyes watered. Was he serious? Or just trying to make her feel better? Working with Christian, she had never felt good enough.

"I mean it, baby. And I’m really sorry you found out about Grey Group like this. I can make it up to you if you want."

"I’m still mad you kept such a big secret. The other day I asked what you did, and you only mentioned your club and real estate."

"A part of Grey Group is into real estate, so technically... I wasn’t lying."

"Whatever," she muttered, folding her arms. "Now it makes sense why your wealth seems so... endless." She rolled her eyes.

Lorenzo chuckled, chest rising with a mix of pride and relief.

"Tell me—what else are you hiding from me?"

"Nothing else. I promise," he said, pulling her into a hug.

"You sure? Because I won’t forgive you so easily next time."

A shiver ran through him at her warning, but he couldn’t risk saying more. Instead, he hugged her tighter, burying his face in her stomach and making goofy noises that earned a burst of laughter from her.

"Whatever I haven’t told you... it’s either I forgot, or it’s not important," he said, lifting his head to meet her gaze.

Ashley pressed her lips together, searching his eyes. After a beat, she gave a small, reluctant nod.

Lorenzo stood, pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, then sat back down and pulled her onto his lap again.

"I don’t want you to ever doubt yourself," he said gently. "You possess so much strength, Ashley. You’re doing better than any of those assholes could ever measure up to."

Her heart swelled at his words, so much she feared it would burst. She nodded again, blinking fast to push back the tears rising in her eyes.

A quiet lull settled between them before she broke it with a small smile.

"Are we going to stay like this all night? Not that I mind... but your legs might not survive till morning."

Lorenzo let out a low chuckle before shifting. He lowered himself further on the couch, making her fall against his chest with a surprised gasp.

Now they were lying down, their faces almost pressing touching.

"Better, right?" he asked, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

Heat spread through her body like wildfire. Her lips were barely an inch from his.

Before she could think, he leaned in and stole a kiss.

Her cheeks flushed immediately.

"Do that again and I’ll bite your lips off," she warned, voice trembling just enough to betray that she didn’t mean it.

Lorenzo laughed. She didn’t say a word, just watched him, soaking in the beautiful sound.

When he finally quieted, he adjusted them slightly, letting her rest beside him in the tight space of the couch. His leg came over hers, holding her there.

It wasn’t much, but it felt perfect.

"Anything else you want to know before I make you forget even your own name?" Lorenzo teased, smug and cocky.

They held each other’s gaze, their hearts seeming to beat in sync. To Ashley, the moment felt charged, raw with something she couldn’t name. To Lorenzo, it was light and teasing, making him smile more.

Whatever it was... it felt beautiful. And Ashley didn’t want it to end.

But something had been gnawing at her since his story earlier that morning.

"You mentioned going to Princeton," she said quietly.

Lorenzo stiffened beside her.

Ashley noticed immediately—and almost didn’t continue. Maybe she shouldn’t ask. Maybe she should just let it go. But her curiosity wouldn’t allow it.

"Yeah," he replied, bracing his head with his hand, shoulders tight.

She hesitated, then went on. "I’m guessing that’s where you met Christian? He mentioned you two were... bestfriends?"

Lorenzo didn’t answer but the silence spoke for him.

His gaze darkened. The tension in his body was pretty much obvious now, and she could feel the way his leg grew stiffer on hers.

Still, she continued gently, thinking it was useless to stop now, her voice cautious. "Why did you two stop being friends? What happened?"