Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 43: He was like a poison

Chapter 43: He was like a poison

Ashley tossed and turned in her large, soft bed, unable to fall back asleep after a nightmare about her daughter. Her encounter with Lorenzo yesterday had plagued her mind until sleep finally claimed her—only for her to jolt awake barely an hour later.

She groaned in frustration. Lately, her nights had been haunted by recurring dreams of her late parents and her child, leaving her drained before the day even began.

Her mind drifted back to Lorenzo’s offer, and fresh anger simmered within her. She hated him now more than ever—for daring to exploit her desperation.

She would go to any lengths to get her daughter back. But not this. Not him.

The mere thought of having a relationship with him sent a chill down her spine. Not entirely because of how he’d broken her heart in the past, or that she feared he would do it again. But because, as difficult and shameful as it was to admit, she knew the effect he still had on her. His smile still had the power to weaken her knees, just as thinking of him made her heart race. And worse, his presence didn’t just remind her how much she hated him—it reminded her how much she still wanted him.

To her, he was like a poison—the kind she had no immunity against. If she couldn’t get him out of her system no matter how much she tried, how then could she survive a relationship with him for eight months without being consumed?

No, she was never doing this.

Glancing at her phone, she exhaled in relief when she saw it was finally 7 AM.

The frustration from realizing she had run out of sleeping pills just when she needed one most last night still lingered.

Her eyes burned from yet another sleepless night. If she made it through the day without dark circles, it would be a miracle. She made a mental note to pick up another bottle of ZzzQuil from the pharmacy later.

Staring absentmindedly at the ceiling, Ashley contemplated on how to begin her weekend. In the end, she decided to cook—she missed her time in the kitchen.

She needed to prepare something her grandmother would enjoy, but she was not sure what. And she couldn’t ask. Michelle would likely refuse if she knew.

Lately, the older woman had not been eating much, and it bothered everyone, especially Ashley. She knew it had everything to do with her grandfather, and she really hoped he would recover soon.

She never expected she would miss their constant PDA until recently.

Since it was Saturday, Ashley decided some burrata would not bad. No matter how down she was, a slice of burrata always lifted her mother’s spirits when she was alive. She only hoped the same magic would work on her grandmother.

After showering and changing, Ashley checked on Michelle, who remained still in bed, either asleep or pretending to be. For a moment, she considered finding out which—then decided against it. If Michelle wasn’t up by the time brunch was ready, she would wake her.

In the kitchen, Ashley took note of the available ingredients with the staff’s help. Then, she made a list of the missing items she needed for the burrata and maybe some cupcakes.

As she headed for her car, Greg approached her, his frown deeper than usual.

"Ma’am, you didn’t mention you’d be going out today," he said.

Shirtless and glistening with sweat, it was impossible not to notice his defined chest and biceps. He looked like he had just stepped out of the gym.

"I just need to pick up something from the supermarket. I’ll be back soon," Ashley replied, reaching for the car door, but Greg was quicker, pulling the handle before she could.

"You’re driving yourself?" he asked, confusion evident in his tone. Had he done something to upset her? He wondered quietly. She had never driven herself before—he didn’t even know she could.

"Yes, Greg. You obviously can’t drive me while dripping sweat, can you?" Ashley said as she climbed into the car, dropping her handbag on the passenger seat before adjusting her seatbelt.

Greg glanced down at himself, finally realizing his state. His cheeks flushed slightly. He had rushed out of the home gym the moment he spotted her through the glass, and forgot his shirt.

Scratching his head, he said, "I can shower and be back in less than a minute."

Ashley shook her head, wondering how that was even possible. More than that, she was surprised he was even holding a conversation this long.

"No need for that, Greg. I want to drive myself today. Get some rest—maybe even visit your friends since it’s the weekend," she suggested, impatience creeping into her tone. "Now, can you close the door for me?"

"I don’t have any friends," he muttered under his breath but obeyed.

Ashley was not entirely surprised to hear that. If only he smiled more, maybe things would be different, but she stopped herself before she could say it.

"Drive safely," Greg added unexpectedly just before she started the engine.

Reaching the supermarket, Ashley parked and headed straight for the aisles where she could find everything she needed to make burrata and cupcakes. She planned to prepare everything from scratch, including the mozzarella. Cooking had a way of keeping her mind too occupied to overthink. With no work today, the longer she could stay in the kitchen, the better.

Once she finished in the food section, she moved on to the non-edible aisles to buy crayons. Realizing she wouldn’t find children’s storybooks there, she left her items with the staff and went to a nearby bookstore to pick up a few Disney princess tales.

A soft smile crossed her lips as she selected four different ones.

Ashley was nearly done loading up her car when, on her way out of the supermarket with the last bag, she accidentally brushed against someone’s shoulder. Turning to apologize, she froze in shock.

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